At first glance, mountaineering in New Hampshire is no different than doing it anywhere else in the world. You pack your handy crampons and ice ax and traverse, scramble, and rock and ice climb up a snow-capped mountain, ready to admire the vistas from above. However, what sets the Granite State apart from the competition is the ludicrous route density—this tiny state houses 48 4,000 foot mountains! And it’s not only about the quantity—New Hampshire boasts some of the highest quality climbs in the American Northeast. The Presidentials and the numerous ranges in the White Mountains offer hundreds of engaging alpine trails on world-class rock, snow, and ice for newcomers and seasoned mountaineers alike. To top it all off, the winters here are long and the conditions are ideal for mountaineering, so you get to sneak in as many summit attempts as you want!
Conquer one or more of New Hampshire’s legendary 4k footers
Ascend routes appropriate for both beginners and hardcore enthusiasts
Take in the Granite State’s stunning snowy vistas and mesmerizing wilderness
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in New Hampshire, please refer to New Hampshire’s COVID-19 guidelines for out-of-state visitors.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
The best thing about mountaineering in New Hampshire is that you don’t need any prior experience to participate. The 4k footer mountaineering tours are designed for participants of all ages and experience levels, and your guides will do their best to find a trail that suits your fitness and experience levels. However, keep in mind that many of the tours are strenuous, taking from 8 to 12 hours to complete, and you’ll need to be in decent shape to attempt them. Also, the weather above the treeline can be extreme and you should be prepared for exposure to high winds and arctic temperatures. Your guides will work hard to ensure your safety, teach you the necessary skills and keep the excitement level high!
For this mountaineering tour, no prior experience is necessary. If you’re new to the sport, your guide will help teach you essential mountaineering skills, such as crampon techniques for ascending, descending, and slow travel, basic self-arrest and rappelling techniques, etc. If you’re a seasoned mountaineer, a guide will help you meet your individual objectives. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Most of the required equipment can be rented from your guide’s affiliate at a 20% discount. If you need to rent any equipment, contact us to make arrangements.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Mountaineering in New Hampshire can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has mountaineers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Glen, NH, where the tours begin, most people fly into Portland International Jetport. From there, you can rent a car and take a 2-hour drive to Glen, or take a bus to Naples American Legion and take a taxi, which will take you around 2h15min total.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide’s Bunkhouse in Glen, NH, or another predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
