Hiking the Whites Day 6 - Bad Weather and an Injury

The weather had been a topic of discussion ever since we'd reached Madison Spring Hut. We'd enjoyed beautiful blue skies and calm conditions on the way up to the hut, but preliminary forecasts for the next day's hike looked dire, with hiking in the clouds, high winds, and possibly severe thunderstorms and hail. The eagerly awaited after-breakfast weather report brought some reassurance though. While we could expect to hike in the clouds and deal with high winds all day, the expected thunderstorms and hail were replaced by a chance of rain and showers.Temperatures for the summits were forecast for the upper 40s. Not fun, but definitely doable with the right gear.

You'll find a weather forecast bulletin at every hut, complete with a convenient wind-chill chart.

An appropriate warning.

With the weather in mind, we completed our packing quickly and shrugged into our rain gear for the day's hike. The hike from Madison to Lake of the Clouds Hut is usually one of the highlights of a Whites traverse, with extensive views and many sections above tree line. Today we'd miss the views, and miss the shelter of the trees as well.

Interesting morning lenticular cloud formation

Visibility was basically nil as we started up the trail. 

Carmel shrugs off bad weather.

As we began our hike, the clouds descended upon us and the winds began to pick up - steadily at first, then with increasing intensity. The moisture of the clouds gave way to intermittent showers, with an occasional patter of sleet thrown in. The only good news was that the temperature was holding around 50 degrees, unlike the bone-chilling dampness of a few days before, when we'd dealt with temperatures in the low 40s.

After a few miles of hiking, the moment you fear occurred. With a yell, Carmel pitched off of the slick rocks she'd been traversing and hit the ground in obvious pain. I feared the worst - a broken leg - but she'd "only" sprained her ankle badly. It was still a serious situation. I'd packed an ace bandage, and we wrapped her ankle as best we could. Fortunately she could still walk, albeit at a slow, limping pace. A bad day on the trail had turned dangerous, with five miles to go and deteriorating weather. Aside from her injury, there was the danger of hypothermia as we spent extra time outside.

The next six hours were a slow progression through the fog, rain, slick rocks, and wind, from one trail landmark to then next. We bypassed the summit climb to Mt. Washington on a bypass trail, and finally reached the final mile downhill to the hut. Traci and David went ahead to let them know we were coming, and we struggled along, soaked to the skin and starting to shiver.

Suddenly the hut loomed up in front of us, along with David, carrying a travel mug of hot tea. We'd made it!

Next time - A change in plans, and a return to Mt. Washington.