SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs The Winter White Mountain 4000 footers are a lot tougher to climb than the White Mountain 4000 footers in any season. All of the hikes on this list must be started and completed within Winter. From 1931 – 2019, 843 people have completed the Winter 4000 list in comparison to the 14,413 hikers who have finished the all-season 4,000 footers.
I finished hiking the Winter 4000 footers my first time in 2014 – here’s my tally.
| Mountain | Height | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 6288 | 1/8/2011 |
| Adams | 5774 | 3/9/2013 |
| Jefferson | 5712 | 3/9/2013 |
| Monroe | 5384 | 3/20/2011 |
| Madison | 5367 | 3/9/2013 |
| Lafayette | 5260 | 2/18/2012 |
| Lincoln | 5089 | 2/18/2012 |
| South Twin | 4902 | 3/14/2009 |
| Carter Dome | 4832 | 3/17/2012 |
| Moosilauke | 4802 | 1/2/2012 |
| Eisenhower | 4780 | 3/10/2013 |
| North Twin | 4761 | 3/14/2009 |
| Carrigan | 4700 | 3/2/2013 |
| Bond | 4698 | 1/16/2014 |
| Middle Carter | 4610 | 1/28/2012 |
| West Bond | 4540 | 1/16/2014 |
| Garfield | 4500 | 2/2/2013 |
| Liberty | 4459 | 1/2/2011 |
| South Carter | 4430 | 1/28/2012 |
| Wildcat | 4422 | 2/28/2014 |
| Hancock | 4420 | 2/12/2012 |
| South Kinsman | 4358 | 1/12/2013 |
| Field | 4340 | 2/13/2013 |
| Osceola | 4340 | 2/23/2013 |
| Flume | 4328 | 1/24/2010 |
| South Hancock | 4319 | 1/30/2010 |
| Pierce (Clinton) | 4310 | 2/28/2011 |
| North Kinsman | 4293 | 1/12/2013 |
| Willey | 4285 | 2/13/2013 |
| Bondcliff | 4265 | 1/16/2014 |
| Zealand | 4260 | 3/13/2009 |
| North Tripyramid | 4180 | 3/6/2010 |
| Cabot | 4170 | 3/17/2013 |
| East Osceola | 4156 | 3/6/2011 |
| Middle Tripyramid | 4140 | 2/1/2014 |
| Cannon | 4100 | 2/19/2012 |
| Hale | 4054 | 12/22/2011 |
| Jackson | 4052 | 12/28/2011 |
| Tom | 4051 | 1/5/2014 |
| Wildcat D | 4050 | 2/28/2014 |
| Moriah | 4049 | 3/18/2013 |
| Passaconaway | 4043 | 2/2/2014 |
| Owl's Head | 4025 | 12/29/2012 |
| Galehead | 4024 | 12/28/2013 |
| Whiteface | 4020 | 2/2/2014 |
| Waumbek | 4006 | 2/5/2012 |
| Isolation | 4004 | 3/16/2013 |
| Tecumseh | 4003 | 2/20/2010 |
It took me several years to accomplish this feat in spring, summer, and fall–never mind in winter! But you can do it. Good luck and make sure to hydrate.
I am a big hydrator. Drink in the car and on the way up, pee on the way down. LOL!
Now that's funny :)
I completed the 4000 footers in 1996 and the Appalachian Trail last September. The hardest attempt for the 4000 footer goal was an attempt on the Bonds in March 1996. We never made it, ending up bivouacking near Guyot Shelter and West Bond. Very isolated and the snow was incredibly deep. Our itinerary took us in via Zealand Shelter and over Zealand Mt up Guyot Mt and then toward the Bonds. Eventually I got the job done inJuly of the same year.
That’s how I am going to attemp it. Sounds formidable. I will bring a big group for trail breaking if I can find that many people with winter overnight experience.
Me too ! But I am combining it with the added rule of each peak will be part of a backpacking trip (wonder where I got that idea?)
Ideally I see a progression culminating in a winter Pressi traverse or winter Pemi loop a few years from now.
I also want to set it up so that I get the AMC 48 & AMC W48 during the same trip.
Looking forward to your trip reports. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
Tommy – that is a difficult goal! But you and me, we just chip away at them and get them done. I want to hear about some of your trips!
Eric – that sounds like a hell of a trip. Sometimes you have to back off when the weather is terrible. It makes the eventual conquest that much sweeter.
I just love goals like this. It is hard for me to understand living on the west coast. I live at 4,500 feet and it is not even close to being at a high elevation in California. I am hoping to finish climbing all the 14ers in my state this summer. Can't imagine climbing in the winter. Good luck to you.
Thanks Rockin'
I was at EMS today picking up some insulated winter carriers for my naglene bottles, etc. While there, a young woman employee was telling me about about her recent trip up the notorious Hell Brook trail to Mt. Mansfield this past weekend. There she encountered snow drifts up to her chest and had decided against bringing along her snowshoes. In awe, I commented about how much more physical hiking in the winter is versus the summer. Her response was right on target and something to the effect of "When you're up to your chest in snow and pushing yourself hard to keep moving on, It's much more mental too."
Mike – it certainly is! Hiking is very mental to begin with, but winter adds an entirely new dimension, especially the tradeoff between personal safety and ambition.