CONWAY WINTER ACTIVITIES FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on the Edge: Winter Traverse of the Presidential Range from Mt. Madison to Mt. Washington
A focused, three-day winter mountaineering program that guides experienced parties from Mt. Madison south along the ridge to the range’s highest point, with practical preparation and technical support.
Three Days on the Edge: Winter Traverse of the Presidential Range from Mt. Madison to Mt. Washington.
Traversing the Presidential Range in winter is among the East Coast’s most demanding mountaineering undertakings. The route begins on Mt. Madison in the north and moves south toward the highest point on the ridge; conditions on and around Mt. Washington can be severe and changeable, making the traverse physically, emotionally and mentally exacting. This guide distills what to expect on a three-day winter outing and how the International Mountain Climbing School structures the trip to manage the hazards and logistics.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
True Winter Mountaineering
The traverse is explicitly a winter mountaineering course: participants move over snow, rock and ice, cover roughly 4–6 miles per day with heavy packs (50 lbs. or more) and face average nightly temperatures below 0°F and frequent high winds. It’s designed for those who already have winter camping and hiking experience.
North-to-South Ridge Travel
The itinerary begins on Mt. Madison and proceeds south along the crest toward the ridge’s highest point; daily progress, campsite selection and exact routing vary with temperature, wind, visibility and team fitness.
Technical Gear and Group Logistics Included
IMCS supplies communal technical gear—boots, crampons, ice axe and other necessary equipment—plus tents, stoves, fuel, food and camping permits; participants must still bring personal cold‑weather systems and have their gear approved at the pre‑trip check.
What the day feels like
What the Three Days Feel Like
Expect compact, intense days on exposed ridgeline: long hours moving over mixed snow, ice and rock with a heavy pack, intermittent stops for route-finding and shelter, and deliberate evening routines to manage cold in communal camps. The program emphasizes safety and preparation—pre‑trip gear checks and constant monitoring of forecasts shape each day—so the traverse is an exercise in sustained physical effort, technical control and group decision‑making.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this traverse is for — and who should consider other options.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Clients must provide personal gear including a -15 to -25°F sleeping bag, insulated sleeping pad, expedition backpack and appropriate winter clothing; all personal kit must be approved by an IMCS guide at the pre‑trip gear check.
IMCS supplies boots, crampons, ice axe, any technical gear deemed necessary, communal gear, tents, stoves, fuel, food and camping fees/permits.
Expect to travel about 4–6 miles per day carrying heavy packs (50 lbs. or more) over snow, rock and ice; average nightly ridge temperatures are below 0°F with frequent high winds.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Presidential Range Traverse?
The program is run as a three‑day winter traverse.
What prior experience do I need?
Participants are required to have previous hiking and camping experience, be familiar with basic crampon and ice‑axe use, and be in reasonably good physical condition or have completed IMCS’s Basic Mountaineering Programs.
What gear does the operator provide versus what I must bring?
IMCS provides boots, crampons, ice axe, technical group gear, tents, stoves, fuel, food and permits. Clients must bring personal kit including a -15 to -25°F sleeping bag, insulated pad, expedition backpack and appropriate winter clothing; all personal gear must be approved by an IMCS guide.
How much do we travel each day and what are the conditions like?
Participants should plan on approximately 4–6 miles per day with heavy packs, traversing snow, rock and ice; average nightly ridge temperatures are below 0°F and winds are often 40 mph or more.
Can I book the traverse on different dates or privately?
Yes — the course can be run on any dates for those wishing to join another group or book a private trip, and IMCS also offers scheduled dates.
Will the itinerary always be the same?
No — each trip’s itinerary will vary according to temperature, wind speed, ground conditions, visibility, daylight length and team fitness; guides make route and camp decisions based on those factors.