TLDR
So basically my goal is to summit Washington this winter with no winter hiking experience, can I do it?

I’ve only hiked in the summer so I have nearly always hiked in perfect weather. I like the presidentials and Franconia ridge.

I think it would be cool to summit Washington in the winter via Ammo Ravine.
Or traverse Franconia.

I’m worried I’ll invest in a bunch of gear and I won’t like it or I love it but the weather doesn’t cooperate ya know. I’d hate to spend a grand plus on gear and just have the gear sit in the closet because the weather never lines up.

1) with the super el nino what will the mountains be like this year? Probably lots of snow, no?

2) has anyone bought the gear for winter hiking and then hated it or did you love it?

3) Do I have to be really “fit” to hike Washington in the winter? My legs get tired on an eight mile hike on Washington or adams!

4) how dangerous is navigating above treeline on Washington or Adams in bad weather?

5) Are the parking lots throughout wmnf well maintained? I drive a small sedan front wheel drive with snow tires.

6) is the learning curve for winter hiking pretty easy? Can I get mostly dialed in with a few sub 4k hikes?

Let me know what you think.

Wanted to share my route from mid September. It’s a bit of memorial now due to the reroute on Falling Waters (RIP), but I don’t know if there’s quite as much bang for your buck in the Whites at less than 14 miles.

Stats:

13.81 miles
6,480 ft elevation gain