King Ravine (Mt. Adams)

BETA PHOTO: The right side of the ravine headwall in a low sno...

Description 

King Ravine is a good sized glacial cirque gouged out of the Northern slopes of Mt. Adams, several miles up the Presidential Range from Mt. Washington. Though not as impressive as Huntington or other ravines in the area, King Ravine does have a few snow and ice gullies that make it worth a visit. Being relatively lightly trafficked in winter and a good distance from the road, this is a place that will require self-sufficiency from any climbing group as well as good avalanche skills. There was a slide a few years ago that caught a pair of climbers off guard and could have easily resulted in a fatality, so be aware. A report of the incident can be found here: http://www.avalanche-center.org/Incidents/1997-98/19971123-N>>>>>

The climbs you find here may turn out to be snowless rock scrambles, easy snow gullies, or moderate to difficult ice depending on the conditions. Descend via the Airline, Valley Way, or Spur Trail.

Getting There 

Park at the Appalachia trailhead several miles West of Gorham on Rt. 2. Follow the Airline Trail, the Randolph Path, and the Short Line to arrive at the floor of the ravine. The approach is several miles long and will take an hour or three depending on if you're unlucky enough to have to break trail. There are many many side trails in this area, so use your map and your head.

Featured Route For King Ravine (Mt. Adams)

Great Gully WI2 Mod. Snow  New Hampshire : NH Ice and Alpine Climbing : King Ravine (Mt. Adams)

Follow the long gully from the floor of the ravine to the top, generally along the summer Great Gully Trail. There may be some brush thrashing at the bottom of the route, depending on the snow depth. Mostly moderate snow down low, a large ice bulge may form about 1/3 of the way up. This bulge may be bypassed by climbing a snowfield to climber's left and rejoining the gully proper higher up. About halfway up the gully narrows and begins to steepen...[more]