The Winter "Open Hut" Solo Traverse

The History:

"The mortar in the last of the AMC huts was scarcely dry in 1932 before the crews of hutmen, waxing robust from much heavy packing of food and supplies, first conceived the idea of a non-stop traverse of the entire system of huts"
- Laura and Guy Waterman, "Forest and Crag"

The Hut to Hut Traverse has evolved over the relatively short history of White Mountain exploration. The currently most popular summer 24 hour traverse route doesn't include Pinkham Notch, unlike most of the traverses that pre-date it, but includes Carter Notch, added after the first successful attempt ending at Madison. This new winter variation only includes the 3 huts that are currently open, which now includes Lonesome Lake.

Hut to Hut Traverse Chronology:

(please email any additions or corrections to tseaver@vermontphoto.com)

Summer Traverses:

August 9 1932: Williams/Sise/Dodge party completes traverse from Lonesome lake to Madison Hut in just under 24 hours.
Summer 1932: Loomis/Batchelder party adds Pinkham Notch to the route, and the section over the Wildcats to Carter Notch in 2 days.
August 30-31: Loomis/Batchelder party completes Lonesome to Carter traverse minus Wildcat Ridge but retaining Pinkham Notch in just under 24 hours.
July 7, 1936: Herbert Malcolm completes Carter to Lonesome traverse in 22 hours including Wildcat Ridge and Pinkham Notch, crossing all Presidential summits.
July 22, 1936: Herbert Malcolm completes Carter to Lonesome traverse in 21 hours 43 minutes including Wildcat Ridge and Pinkham Notch, crossing all Presidential summits.

Winter Traverses:

Winter 1962: Robert Collin leads unsuccessful 9 day attempt, beaten back by the fury of the Presidentials.
December 24 1968 -1969: Dave Ingalls and Roy Kligfield abort "cross-traverse" due to frostbite, planning to meet Guy and young Johnny Waterman halfway coming from the other direction, who were pinned for 4 days on Mount Washington - they also bailed.
Winter 1980: Guy, Laura Waterman and "Mike" complete first 5 day winter traverse from Lonesome Lake to Carter Notch via Lake of the Clouds "Dungeon" and Madison Hut, in light snow year conditions, without snowshoes.
February 9, 1989: Guy Waterman completes 5 day self-proclaimed "cheating" (supported) solo winter traverse from Lonesome Lake to Carter Notch via Mount Washington Observatory, Grey Knob, and Madison Hut.

Related Reading and Links:

In Memoriam: Windswept - Guy Waterman
by Peter Crane, Mount Washington Observatory, NH

The Guy Waterman Alpine Stewardship Fund

Wild Whites
Ultramarathon

The Foxtrot Traverse

Twins to Garfield

Winter "Open Hut"
Solo Traverse

Winter "Open Hut"
Team Traverse

W48x9

Homemade Alcohol
Stove Winter Test

Other Adventures