Severe wind chills, why would one go to the summit

[Chip]

Sorry for getting off topic. That was very well written and appreciated JohnL.

sardog1, just to play devil's advocate: "Body fat, aka blubber, is the most effective insulation available to animals" maybe, but not to gear heads like us. Capilene, wool, down and goretex are.

Likeitsteep, you need to clean out your PM box here, I can't PM you. I'm out on Panther. I'm taking the boys out on the AT here tomorrow night.

 

[Mongoose]

I go out into the cold for the challenge! It feels great to know I can go into a freezing, windy, deathly cold place and still be warm and comfortable. It's a great self esteem boost; it also makes the rest of my week seem much more relaxing. I do have limits to what I will do though. I didn't get to the top of Mt. Moosilauke a week ago because I couldn't see the cairns in the whiteout anymore, but I was up above treeline enough to be happy.

Camping in the winter is fun too. Making a nice warm place to sleep and hang out and having a warm meal when it's -20F feels great.

I think no matter what time of year, we all go out to challenge ourselves a bit. Summer hikers still have to strain under a pack load and hike up a mountain. It's not as challenging as the winter, but it can still be hard and has similar rewards. We all have different levels of what we find challenging.

 

[RoySwkr]

Mount Washington Observatory posted severe wind chills (-60 to -70). Question: would people really try a summit attempt with that kind of forecast? Or an I just a baby?

I am not sure that I ever would have but would not now. I have climbed lower peaks on days with forecasts like that for Mt W.

That doesn't mean that some people wouldn't rationally choose to do so. People planning expeditions to Denali or the Himalayas have historically tested themselves and their gear in the White Mtns.

 

[cushetunk]

If you are going to judge windchill, it helps to know how fast the wind is actually blowing.

For example, without a hand held electronic anemometer, you'd be hard pressed to make a good estimate of wind speed above treeline. You're relying on vague sensory information like, well this wind is not knocking me off-balance as often as that other day when I was in the wind.

You could later extrapolate from the MWO weather data, but that's not terribly helpful unless you were actually on top of Washington or maybe Adams or Jefferson.

Anyway, I'm not trying to ruin anyone's bar story, but just note that you may think you have successfully hiked in below-zero weather and 50 mph winds, only to find that experiencing those conditions, officially measured, on Mount Washington are much worse.

Also, even at the summit, I'll bet the experienced wind speed is 5-10 mph below what the Obs is recording 30 feet off the ground, because of turbulence and whatnot.

 

[Lawn Sale]

I would continue up the mountain in those temps, sure.

I have found the forecasts to be a little on the liberal side, to err on the side of caution. But, if I topped out on Lion's Head and found the forecast accurate, and didn't think I could make it/survive, I'd duck back below and head out for a cold one, or hit a mountain still in treeline.

 

[Rols]

Others have outlined here many of the factors for making a climb ..no climb decision. I've included a few additional factors that weigh into my decision:
-experince with winter hiking
-party strength (I always figure party strenght on the strength of the weakest member..a party member who struggles could be a danger to the group)
-comfort level of the entire party
-visibility (I am always more conservative in poor visibility)
-trail conditions (do they alllow for fast travel...or is there a need to break trail?)
-time above tree line
-willingness of the group to turn back
-forecast (is there a good probablility for conditions to deteriorate more)

I am, in my view, a conservative Winter hiker. I plan each weekend's hike with 3 options. First option is for good weather....second options is for OK weather...third option is for poor weather. I am always ready to turn around when I hit a climbing situation I don't like. Considering the factors I've listed..I would not have gone on to the Washinton summit under those conditions.

 

[carole]

Severe wind chills, why would one go to the summit?

Bragging rights.