![]() Animals often seen include red squirrel, moose, black bear, pine martens, black-capped chickadees, porcupine, and several others. At lower elevations in the mixed northern forest and boreal zones more animal diversity is evident. For fauna, at least on the upper mountain, foxes are seen on occasion, as well as various rodents living among the talus (rock debris) and krummholtz (weather stunted fir and spruce trees). In what is known as the Alpine Garden, a somewhat protected shelf on the east side of the mountain about 1000 feet below the summit, myriad alpine flora do quite well putting on a respectable show of tiny flowers from various stunted, waxy-leaved plants, usually in June. Certain plants do thrive, however, some quite rare and only able to live in such an environment. What sort of plants and animals live on Mount Washington? Answer: Very little lives up on its summit due to it being an inhospitable alpine zone. This invites even more people, most of whom are ill prepared for what the mountain is ready to throw at them. Others still arrive by way of the Mt Washington Auto Road on the mountain’s east side or by way of the Cog Railway on its west side. Many of these folks are grossly ill-prepared. Others, however, begin their ascent with an innocent exploration, starting with a ten minute hike to some falls, that draws them in further than advisable in many cases. Multiple means of accessing its summit, you say, such as? Answer: As mentioned, many hike to its summit, most of whom are at least somewhat prepared for it wearing the right clothing and footwear and carrying a proper summer hiking pack. Many weather records have in fact been long held by this peak. Mt Washington is often said to be the Home of the World’s Worst Weather. Sometimes by multiple storms at the same time. And being that it is the most prominent point in the region, the mountain get hits with a lot of this weather. The incredibly unpredictable weather mentioned, why is it so on this short mountain? Answer: Consider this: all of the weather that occurs in the North America and the Gulf of Mexico funnels in the general direction of this mountain. Second, with the sheer number of visitors seeking its summit, coupled with the summit’s multiple access methods and incredibly unpredictable weather, it stands to reasons the losses of life so far. People from of all walks of life those trained as well as those who aren’t. This makes the Forest a magnet for anyone in the region looking to quickly and briefly get back to nature. First of all, to literally millions of people - a third of the population of the United States - The Whites lie within a single day’s drive by car. As mountains go, it’s rather squat, so why is Mt Washington so dangerous? Answer: Mount Washington is very accessible. Here are Ten (10) Questions about Mount Washington… 1. What follows are ten frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Mt Washington so that you may better understand it. It’s a small mountain with a fierce reputation that surprises many. So much so in its underestimation, that over 170 times it has claimed a life - with two sadly being added during the production of this work. And it is often underestimated by those very same mountaineers. ![]() Frequented by tourists clad in Bermuda shorts, sundresses, and sandals, arriving by train, bus, or car, the very same mountain is often used as a training ground by those seeking to conquer Mts Rainier, Alaska’s Denali, or even Mount Everest. For many the mountain fulfills dreams, and for most it offers significant personal rewards, though not without its own demands. Some of which, like backcountry skiing it, are a rite of passage. Mt Washington is also one of the state’s “ 4000-Footers” topping that list, of course. It is noted for being the tallest mountain in that region, and it’s the most prominent peak east of the Mississippi River. “The Whites”) in New Hampshire, is the crowing jewel of the Northeast. ![]() 6288′ (1917m), located in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF a.k.a. The summit of Mount Washington in the winter is a desolate, abandoned place while in summer it’s abuzz with life.
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