whites weather advice

[mrsmileyns]

So I have a trip planned for a Presi Traverse over 3 days. Heading up on tomorrow - then hiking the Presis from Appalachia back to the Highland Center in Crawford Notch on Thurs, Fri, and Sat.

I see reports of showers/thunderstorms ranging anywhere from 20% to 70% depending upon the source. I know the weather in this area is very "dynamic" and can also be dangerous. Just looking for advice if I still go, with plans to turn back or bail if need be. I really don't have the flexibility to reschedule, but I could go somewhere else (although I don't really want to...but could go to the ADK's or Cats)

It's a 7 hour drive for me. I have already booked a camp site for Wed nite as well as the hiker shuttle so I am about $45 in but that is not worth doing something dangerous obviously.

Just looking for a little advice - I feel like the weather there can be anything at anytime and if I wait for great forecast I might never go. But I also don't want to do something silly.

[Daniel Eagan]

I've been on the Presis in bad weather and it's not fun. We actually had to spend an extra day at the Lake of the Clouds hut as the workers were ordering hikers off the trails.

That said, we never felt like we were in danger. There are many escape routes off the Presidentials, and you can usually sense how much time you will have before bad weather comes in.

20% chance of storms I wouldn't hesitate hiking. 70% I'd be a bit more reluctant, but my decision would depend on personal observation. If at the trailhead the Presis were socked in, I wouldn't want to hike up as the views there are not to be missed.

Hope this helps.

[mrsmileyns]

it does help - i guess i will check weather again tomorrow - mostly it seems like i have to go and see how it looks being prepared to turn back or bail if need be

so many times the weather says rain and then its sunny or doesn't rain and other times its the reverse - i wouldn't have this indecision if it wasn't such a far drive

[rickhart]

I would say about the same: the weather is very unpredictable there. Anything up to 50% chance would be worth going & seeing how it develops. Sometimes cloudy weather has its own beauty. If they're saying bad weather is very likely (things like 70%), you should go with the expectation that you'll be at least in the clouds, if not having to cancel or cut short. The presi traverse is VERY exposed, though as Daniel said there are exit points. For what it's worth, also my experience is that the weather on the presidentials tends to vary from the forecast more often in the direction of cloudiness/rain/storm than in the direction of better weather -- I think it's the mountain effect, of pulling "weather" towards themselves.

[OnAClearDay]

It's going to be crap shot, esp. if you have an itinerary that's set in stone. If you can get web access while in the area the Higher Summits forecast gets updated daily around 5am:
http://www.mountwashington.org/weath...t_forecast.php
Unfortunately today seems to be the day to be up there:http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/cam/ (one of my favorite web sites..)
Good luck!

[mrsmileyns]

so the weather was pretty bad - I remembered (thanks to my wife) she has some friends in the whites that run some cabins/campground. Turns out he is an avid hiker and climber. Based on the weather reports he recommended I stick to some day hikes and stay with them...at no charge

So I did Franconia Ridge loop one day and then a hike to Zealand Hut and Hale Mt the next day. Two good hikes. I was bummed I did not get to do what I had set out to do but I feel good that I put my "summit fever" aside and was willing to listen to someone else. The Presidentials will be there for another day