itsMalarky t1_j59u8ye wrote on January 21, 2023 at 1:02 PM

Mt. Lafayette isn't mountaineering....it's hiking.

That said, I would not recommend Laffy or the Franconia ridge as a first winter hike for beginners. People die all the time up there during whiteouts. You'd want a really good weather forecast, the right gear, and knowledge on how to navigate a whiteout.

Actual Mountaineering would be something like Kings Ravine, Flume Slide, or Tuckerman's. And if you want to do that you should honestly start with an avalanche safety course, a mountaineering course (they host them all the time), and know how to use crampons and an ice axe (ex: know how to self-arrest with an axe).

It's no joke... last time I was up in Tucks someone died the same day.

[deleted] t1_j5a5gpl wrote on January 21, 2023 at 2:40 PM

[deleted]

itsMalarky t1_j5d7hz7 wrote on January 22, 2023 at 3:29 AM

This was a couple years back -- someone fell into a crevasse created by one of the streams near center gulley (if membory serves). After a 40-50ft fall I'm pretty sure he was washed down into the stream running under the snowpack, where he drowned. Very sad.

I actually haven't been up since.

And yeah, apologies...I wasn't really trying to be needlessly semantic here. Appreciate you clarifying for OP!

>also if you do book a guide, it will help you clarify your needs!

perfectly said!