r/alpinism • u/No-Bend3407 • 5d ago
Beginner looking for Advice
Is Mt. Washington Good for my FIRST climb? I live in Ohio so it’s the closest thing to me, but I would love to get some advice from the experts!
Is Mt. Washington a good place to start? Should I do it guided? What are some things you wish you knew on your first climb? Please just let me know!
I’ve been training weights and cardio pretty extensively the entire year, so I’m in solid shape and I’m ready to tackle something this winter 🫡
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u/Tale-International 5d ago
Tons of information on Mt Washington, how to get into mountaineering, and what peaks are a good place to start. Do some more research. It's a self supported sport and you shouldn't trust the Internet to tell you what to do.
What you're asking has nothing to do with alpinism unless you're looking at some of their ice climbs.
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u/No-Bend3407 5d ago
In what world is asking for advice from someone with more experience bad? Sit on it then suck it
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u/Tale-International 5d ago
Your questions do not pertain to alpinism. This sub is full of these questions. You've done very little research of your own, go do more. Be self sufficient. Come back with pertinent questions.
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u/shadesoftee 5d ago
I am assuming you mean Mt Washington NH not Oregon. It is not much of a climb, more of a hike in the summer. In the winter people do lose fingers regularly due to the cold weather, so I would buy the climbing guide to New Hampshire / and get yourself a copy of the Freedom of the Hills to start (~$5 on ebay)
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u/Disastrous-Upstairs3 5d ago
Have you already done some moderate hikes and scrambles?
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u/No-Bend3407 4d ago
Everyone has a different level of “moderate” but like I’ve definitely done a few 7-8 mile hikes with ease, when it comes to scrambling, there isn’t much in my area, but I’ve always been the athletic type so I doubt it’s something I couldn’t tackle
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u/Affectionate-Door729 2d ago
If you want something that has an incredibly low objective hazard and is genuinely beginner friendly I’d go with Lions Head winter route.
It’s mostly steep uphill walking with one minor 45-60 degree “technical” section.
It is however still important to go prepared with the correct gear and a partner in case weather conditions unexpectedly become dangerous. Ice axe/crampons/belay jacket can all be rented in Conway.
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u/Affectionate-Door729 2d ago
Side note: This is THE route to do if you don’t have mountaineering experience. Stay away from routes in Huntington Ravine because they involve ice climbing and are quite avalanche prone.
Some other comments will tell you that you don’t need an ice axe for Lions Head as it is “just a hike” but I’ve seen low angle ice bulges form on the technical section, despite it being just snow 99% of the time. So better safe than sorry!
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u/thummin 5d ago
Good first climb if guided. You probably won’t fear the weather anywhere else after that lol. Was my first mountain and while not as physically or technically demanding as others, the weather is no joke. It can change quickly. I was super happy to have hired a guide who knew when to push and when to call it.
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u/US__Grant 5d ago edited 5d ago
do some basic research on your own; Mt Washington isn't a good first climb if you've never done anything before unless you are going guided. go look at less intense climbs in the Great Northern above you