Mt Hunger, VT

[amigo]

Hi. My friend and I are planning a climb up Mt Hunger towards the end of December, 2009, from the west side. We've never climbed this peak. We're planning to bring snowshoes. Anyone familiar with this peak in winter? Is the road on the west side plowed? If not, what's the east side like?

Anything anyone can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mirabela]

I snowshoed it once, eons ago. At the time it was plowed to the summer lot, and I can't imagine things have changed much. There are residences very close by, so it would seem like they have to keep it open.

All other things being equal, I think you're better off on the west side than the east side for a winter ascent. Both sides have their share of steep rocks that are likely to be icy and potentially hazardous, but the east side has about 4x as much as the west, including a number of long, very smooth, quite steep slabs.

Be prepared for serious wind. The top is open and tends to really get blasted.

 

[Guthook]

I lived about three miles from the trailhead in Waterbury Center (west side) last year, so I was up there about twice a week for several months... definitely a good winter hike.

They do plow up to and into the parking lot there, although you'll still want to be careful on the drive up.

The trail itself seemed to always be well packed, and I seem to remember that most people I saw were only in microspikes or stabilicers... I was one of the few with snowshoes. I think you can easily do the whole trail up with just microspikes or similar traction, although it's probably a good idea to bring snowshoes. Also, if you're feeling adventurous, the side trail to White Rocks is almost never broken out and can be extremely hard to follow, but the views from there are pretty fantastic. Not to mention it feels like more of an accomplishment to get there because it seems so few people take that side trail, whereas everybody's on Hunger.

 

[mirabela]

Agree with the above. If you do opt to go out to White Rock, be careful. It's easy to get turned around in there between the two, even in summer. Also, while I haven't been on WR in winter, I can imagine those slabs and scrambles right below the summit could be wicked indeed with some ice on them.

 

[amigo]

Hunger

Thanks for your responses, guys. Very helpful info. I'm really looking forward to it. And to a visit to the Alchemist afterwards