Womens Winter Weekends
Sleep beneath the stars ... Do you want to have fun? Do you want to hang out with other amazing women and learn mountain skills from women guides who thrive on creating positive, peaceful and exhilarating learning environments? We provide safe, encouraging instruction in exciting and challenging mountain settings. Our female guides specialize in providing expert instruction at every level, whether it is your first time trying an activity, or you are already accomplished and looking to further your ability.
Join one of Mooney Mountain Guides' female guides for a backcountry winter climbing trip. This winter we have different outings scheduled, all with slightly different lodging or overnight options. All of the trips are women specific and led by female guides. All of the technical equipment is included for each trip. (i.e. boots, crampons, ice axes)

Mt Washington 6288 ft
Mt Washington is without a doubt the most sought after and recognized peak in New Hampshire. The summit is 4000 feet of elevation gain and 8 miles round trip from Pinkham Notch. This mountain climb will challenge even the most experienced winter mountaineer. Arctic temperatures as low as -50f, winds as high as 231 mph, frequent whiteouts and deep snowpack with an average 256 annual inches make summiting in winter a difficult but rewarding experience. Mt Washington is an ideal training ground for those heading to Alaska or other high altitude climbs. Join one of our single day or overnight mountain climbs to the summit if you are looking for a challenging winter mountaineering experience.

Mt Lafayette 5260 ft
Mt Lafayette is located in Franconia Notch State Park, NH. This alpine peak rises for three thousand six hundred feet, above the valley floor. Mt Lafayette is host to numerous moderate mountaineering routes. One of our favorites routes is the traverse along the backbone of the exposed ridge connecting the summits of Mt Lafayette, Mt Lincoln and Little Haystack Mt. The complete climb and ridge traverse is a spectacular nine mile loop with the majority of travel above tree line. The location is convenient just off route 93, three hours north of Boston. Mt Lafayette is a perfect mountaineering day climb or overnight climb for those yearning to learn and practice mountaineering skills while experiencing the magic of winter in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Crawford Notch
Crawford Notch is home to a wide variety of winter mountaineering routes (ex. Shoestring Gully, steep ice climbs (Frankenstein Cliff), and moderate snow and ice gullies( Cinema Gully. The easy access to Mt Webster, Mt Willey and Mt Willard make this area one very popular areas for winter alpine snow and ice climbing in the northeast. With short approaches to many of the climbs in Crawford Notch this area will give you a great opportunity to be introduced and practice many of the techniques used (ice axe use, crampon techniques, route finding, rope handling skills, snow and ice anchors, etc) in the mountains making travel safer and more efficient. Crawford Notch is located on route 302 between the towns of Bartlett and Twin Mountain NH. Due to its central location Crawford is a good choice for single day climbs from the Portland,Boston, and southern NH travelers.

Mt Washington Huntington's Ravine
Mount Washington's Huntington's Ravine host the most classic and sought after technical winter mountaineering routes in New Hampshire. To access Huntingtons Ravine a 2.5 mile hike in from Pinkham Notch is the first step. You will be in awe once you view the 1500 foot gullies that break up Huntington's Ravine. First ascended in winter in 1927, Huntington's Ravine host a handful of routes that remain as classic and challenging as the first time they were climbed. Join us for a climb on Odell's Gully, Pinnacle Gully, Damnation, Yale or Central Gully then top out in the alpine gardens, if time allows we will climb to the summit of Mt Washington at 6288ft. Enjoy a descent down the Lion's head trail, if weather is on our side you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Mount Washington Valley. If you're in for a couple days a stay at the Harvard Cabin located just below Huntington's Ravine may be in order, allowing more time to explore the area and test yourself in a true alpine environment.