November hiking and/or skiing?

[Quebec NH skier]

I am curious whether Tux would be too cold typically to hike and possibly ski in the 2nd week of November..

Thoughts from everyone?

[Cat in January]

Even in the earliest snow years there would b no skiing by that date. This past year was one of the earlier snow years with skiing up in Tucks around christmas. You should be prepared for winter conditions, although deep snow requiring floatation is rare. One of the nice things about a Fall hike in the whites is you can hike up into winter.

[RR]

Usually there is good ice climbing in Tuckerman Ravine in November. Chauvin has beta (http://www.chauvinguides.com/new.htm)...here's one of his pix:
http://www.chauvinguides.com/TuckIce.jpg

[jshefftz]

At the time of year, weather could be just about anything, and snow conditions could be just about anything.
Hmm, then again, that statement could apply to many different times of the year on Mt Washington . . .

Anyway, in fall 2005, on October 18 I skied about 2,000 feet off the summit on the auto road, and then on November 13 I skied from the summit to Pinkham Notch (with the only downhiking between the base of the bowl and HoJo's). But that was a highly unusual fall.

Chances are though, no skiing that time of year, but nice hiking up to treeline, and beyond that will depend on that day's weather conditions.

[LPNH]

At the time of year, weather could be just about anything, and snow conditions could be just about anything.
Hmm, then again, that statement could apply to many different times of the year on Mt Washington . . .

Anyway, in fall 2005, on October 18 I skied about 2,000 feet off the summit on the auto road, and then on November 13 I skied from the summit to Pinkham Notch (with the only downhiking between the base of the bowl and HoJo's). But that was a highly unusual fall.

Chances are though, no skiing that time of year, but nice hiking up to treeline, and beyond that will depend on that day's weather conditions.

AHHHH .... October 2005 two Nor'Easters back to back produced high winds and an abundance of rain -2500 ft/ snow +2500 ft from a couple of hurricanes tracking out in the ocean up the East Coast.The Kitty Cat opened up 2nd in the country that year only to Loveland, CO. Highly unusual for this area said to be 200 year storms by the weather folks. Many leaves were still on the trees and the air had that fall smell when you gather leaves in the yard. Coming out of Pinkham Notch I recall seeing Golfers in Jackson wearing short sleeves while I felt a greater sense of presence having skied the Kitty Cat and the Rockpile both for the last two weeks of Oct '05.

[TuaGuy]

[QUOTE=jshefftz;114977]At the time of year, weather could be just about anything, and snow conditions could be just about anything.
Hmm, then again, that statement could apply to many different times of the year on Mt Washington . . .

QUOTE] Don't know about others, but Teledancer and I have skied every October, at some time in the month, for the past 7 years someplace on the rockpile. Most times Sherby (most times Hermit to Pinkham), some Otto, once (for me) cone. It's a ***** to get to when USFS closes access, but looking this year to try early season on the west side if Ullr leaves his mark there.
Agiocochook makes its own weather, as posted here by others before. We watch the fronts coming through starting in late Sept., and stay glued to the 24 hr. report on the OBS site. Sometimes it's just the bones say it's right. I will say that I have overanalized, miscalced times, or just psyched myself out for rain/wind/whatever on deciding to go, but the MOUNTAIN has never skunked me out of a ski trip, it's been my own fault, and we haven't missed an October yet. It's there somewhere; you just have to find it, and then commit. Good luck, and see you out there.;)

[RR]

It may have been Killington, and the base was mostly manmade, but the freshies on top Oct 18th, also 2005, were all of the heavenly variety!