Urgent! Snow in November in White Mountains NH?

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CanDo

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I'm planning on hiking on Franconia Ridge in NH tomorrow, and was expecting there to be snow, but now I'm worried that there would be a lot. If there's more than a foot, I probably won't go. Does anyone know what the mountains are like at this time of year?
 
CanDo said:
I'm planning on hiking on Franconia Ridge in NH tomorrow, and was expecting there to be snow, but now I'm worried that there would be a lot. If there's more than a foot, I probably won't go. Does anyone know what the mountains are like at this time of year?
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I have no idea about the conditions of Franconia Ridge since I am basically in the other side of the pond but... unless there is a storm going on there, you can probably get by deep snow with some snowshoes! If you don't want to buy them (TSL snowshoes are about $120 in Spain) you can probably rent them there in a sports store. You don't even need stiff mountaneering boots to use them. All the brands have a number of different bindings ranging from full auto (for boots with back and front welts) to strap ons. You can even use them with trekking/hikking boots as they also help keeping you away from the snow (warmer than sinking knee deep in every step).

We are going ice climbing (at least trying, not sure if we will have any ice) tomorrow (leaving tonight) and we know there is going to be A LOT of fresh snow. The three of us will carry snowshoes... they are mandatory.

Whatever you do, be sure to keep us posted!
Mikel
 
There is good skiing in Vermont now. Has been since last Saturday. It's always a safe bet to plan for snow in the Whites. I've gotten caught on top of Mt. Washington in a snow storm on July4th one year! If there is a lot of snow in the Franconia ridge, move down the Cancamagus a few miles to the trail head of the 'Wilderness Trail.' Lower down and less snow. That trail is all pretty flat and easy walking even in snow. Lots of folks use it for X-C skiing. If I remember correctly, It's about 9 miles to the river crossing. Nice campground there for making a lunch fire. Pretty place! I wish I was there!

Stitchawl
 
Be prepared for a lot of snow. Even if there if there is nothing on the ground, it can come down on you at anytime this time of year. I've summitted many times in throughout the year and this time is my least favorite to plan for because of all the contingencies.

Check out the Mt. Washington observatory website. They have a series of webcams that take live feeds from the Mt. Also, there is a current weather update that tells temperature, precip and max wind speed. I used to constantly check it out in college as it was my little escape to read the reviews while procrastinating and not doing my papers.

As Stitchawl mentioned, the lower trails will be safer to hike. I wouldn't recommend going above treeline anywhere in the Presidentials unless you have the gear and the experience. I hope you have a good time but definitely check the conditions and know before you go.
 
Franconia Notch is some beautiful but rugged country...the weeather howeve can cange on a dime..f there predicting snow I'd hold off till the spring unless you are an experienced winter hiker and camper...Incidentally I've seen bears everytime I've been there as well.
 
Its supposed to rain some in NE this weekend, look at a precip map and see if its snowing up there now, you can also call a state park in the area and ask them how much snow is on the ground. I tend to do very specific preparations around weather when I go for a hike to matter what time of year it is. Better to get the information first hand from the weather service or someone on the ground.
 
Thanks guys! I left at 6 a.m. so didn't get your replies until now but I just decided to go for it and what a great decision it was. I'll start a thread with photos from the trip later tonight/tomorrow :)
 
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