What is Huntington's REALLY like?

[ChrisB]

Hi all,

On a recent trip up Huntington ravine, I tried to capture the most interesting and challenging aspects and sections of the route.

I put a set of photos with comments up on Flickr.

If you are thinking of trying Huntington ravine, you might find these pics and info helpful. Like all climbs, start viewing the pics from the bottom of the page and work your way to the top!

cb

 

[roadtripper]

Thanks for posting! Most pictures I've seen before this just show pictures of the slabs without people being used as scale/referencing points.

I've been considering hiking Huntington's for 2 or 3 years now, but I'm not sure if I'd freeze up 1/2 way up. I did the North Slide on Tripyramids solo a couple years back and it freaked me out quite a bit. I might have just needed some company though, who knows.

- Greg

 

[DougPaul]

I've been considering hiking Huntington's for 2 or 3 years now, but I'm not sure if I'd freeze up 1/2 way up. I did the North Slide on Tripyramids solo a couple years back and it freaked me out quite a bit. I might have just needed some company though, who knows.

The biggest thing you have to fear is fear itself.


Nice pics--they do illustrate the slab section of the trail pretty well.

Doug

 

[erugs]

I like to remember that an abbreviation for F E A R is:

False Expectations Appear Real.

I've just come back from a climb of the Grand Teton and did things I had feared before with relative confidence. Of course, proper preparation helps.

 

[Rob S]

It's not as hard as it may look. I did it solo in 2001 and hesitated just briefly to find a handhold in a crack on that first slab. There was no wind to speak of the day I did it, but I think a very windy day would make it more unnerving. I wouldn't try it wet either.

Dave Metsky has some good shots of the hike up Huntington's in his TRIP REPORT also from 2001.

 

[peakbagger-paul]

I did this climb for the first time on July 26. I wore my rock climbing shoes from the top of the fan to the Alpine Garden Trail, which made it much easier. I have a lot of pictures too, but haven't gotten around posting them to my website (www.peakbagger-paul.com) yet.

 

[king tut]

Sweet pics! I have been interested in doing this ravine for a while. Anyone have any opinion on whether or not this is tougher than the knife edge on Katahdin, just as a point of reference?

 

[DougPaul]

I did this climb for the first time on July 26. I wore my rock climbing shoes from the top of the fan to the Alpine Garden Trail, which made it much easier.

I've done it in ordinary hiking boots. They were quite adequate.

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

Sweet pics! I have been interested in doing this ravine for a while. Anyone have any opinion on whether or not this is tougher than the knife edge on Katahdin, just as a point of reference?

Matt,

They are different. Certainly easier than the west side of the notch.

Just go for it--I doubt that you will have any difficulty.

Doug

 

[^MtnMike^]

Great pictures Chris!

A couple more sets of pics from the ravine (some with people for reference):
http://www.mcschell.com/gallery/hunt2
http://www.mcschell.com/gallery/Hunt03

^MtnMike^

 

[dvbl]

...I've been considering hiking Huntington's for 2 or 3 years now, but I'm not sure if I'd freeze up 1/2 way up. I did the North Slide on Tripyramids solo a couple years back and it freaked me out quite a bit. I might have just needed some company though, who knows...
- Greg

I disagree with the sayings/quotes (in previous posts above) about fear. I say go do it. But don't try to use old cliches to convince yourself you're not afraid. If you're afraid, admit it, embrace it....and then hike up the ravine anyway. You'll feel awesome when you top out.

What the heck, I'll add another old cliche: Remember, it's not the fall that hurts you...it's the sudden stop.

Hey ChrisB: cool pix, way to take your time and enjoy that ravine.

 

[Rob S]

I've done it in ordinary hiking boots. They were quite adequate.

A guy who passed me on the hike in and was several minutes ahead of me during the climb was wearing sandals. Not that I'd recommend that.

As Doug said, any hiking boots will suffice.

 

[erugs]

I'd say that Huntington and Knife Edge share the similarity of exposure, but otherwise they're different in my mind because the Knife Edge drops off more sharply on either side of you and is longer.

Avoid cliches? Sure, but I find that positive affirmations are a great help to me when I'm in a difficult situation. One time I acknowledged my fear, remembering words of my yoga teacher helping the class be patient through holding an extended pose: "Thank you 'mind' for sharing (fearful, negative thoughts), now go sit down over there and wait till I'm done." To "just do it" is helpful advice, while holding onto caution is, too. As always, balance and control without willfullness and wild abandon.

 

[dvbl]

eruggles, my previous post was a little bit snide...sorry 'bout that. Cool that your yoga techniques carry over into hiking.

I agree with you about KE vs. Hunts. KE has bigger and badder drop offs.

They have different types of "uh-oh" spots. IMO, Hunts' tough spots are physically tougher to hike; while KE's tough spots aren't too tough physically but you can see the exposure just staring you in the face as you hike along the ridge. Luckily for me, I'm stupid enough that I don't mind heights, so I loved them both.

 

[Amicus]

Luckily for me, I'm stupid enough that I don't mind heights, so I loved them both.

As did I. I did find those slabs on Huntington considerably more difficult than anything on the Knife Edge. I was wearing rather worn hiking boots (but on a dry and sunny day), and am intrigued by the notion of climbing shoes, which would make them a cinch (but probably wouldn't be worth the trouble, even if you already own a pair).

 

[peakbagger-paul]

I was more comfortable in my rock climbing shoes, and didn't find it much trouble to change into them at the start of the slabs. My hiking boots were rather worn at that point (I just got some new ones), and tended to be a bit slippery.

When I asked Views from the Top about the necessity of climbing shoes before I took my hike, there were several people who admitted using sneakers or approach shoes which they found easier than hiking boots.

Obviously, it's all a matter of personal opinion or preference. Certainly special shoes aren't required on that trail. However, I do think sandals were a bit of a mistake, although a few years back, several people on Views from the Top were advocating barefoot hiking. I don't supposed they meant the Huntington Ravine Trail though.

 

[DougPaul]

However, I do think sandals were a bit of a mistake, although a few years back, several people on Views from the Top were advocating barefoot hiking. I don't supposed they meant the Huntington Ravine Trail though.

There are people who rock climb in bare feet.

I don't advocate it or do it myself, but presumably it means that people can do HRT in sandals or bare feet if they so wish (and have much tougher feet than I).

Doug

 

[ChrisB]

Great pictures Chris!

A couple more sets of pics from the ravine (some with people for reference):
http://www.mcschell.com/gallery/hunt2
http://www.mcschell.com/gallery/Hunt03

^MtnMike^

MtnMike,

You have a great collection of pics there, and lots more variety than I provided! Excellent!

In the final analysis, I'd say that a few sections of the Huntington "trail" present the hiker with short stretches of 5.1 rock climbing, where a slip could have serious consequences. Knowing a few basic techniques such as laybacking, smearing and jamming sure make life easier here and there.

I suppose one could argue that the hardest bits are really only 4th class scrambling, and as such don't require a rope. And I am OK with that. As long as prospective hikers realize that there are places where you can fall or slide 20 feet or more into very hard objects should you lose a hand or foothold!

cb

 

[erugs]

I recently bought recommended approach shoes for my Grand Teton climb and thought I would probably not use them much, if at all, afterwards. Now I know I was wrong. I'll pick and choose my footwear, as I always have, only now I'll have one more choice. I'll probably wear them on a Mahoosuc Notch hike this Sunday. I did learn that the sticky soles were not sticky when it rained during the end of our intermediate climbing class. Don't think I'd carry an extra pair of footwear for a particular section. But who knows? I had considered bringing a second pair of boots on the Teton climb for the hike in and out, but my Exum guide, Scott, suggested that wasn't necessary and I listened to his voice of experience and was happy with that decision.

 

[David Metsky]

but my Exum guide, Scott, suggested that wasn't necessary and I listened to his voice of experience and was happy with that decision.

Was this Scotty McGee? He's a college buddy of mine, great guy and great guide.

I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full. Please delete some old messages.

-dave-