Reddit reviews Not Without Peril: 150 Years Of Misadventure On The Presidential Range Of New Hampshire

There's a fairly famous book about the many cases where people have died on Washington. You don't have to deal with altitude sickness like the rockies but when the weather turns it can get ugly quick. A month or two ago the weather station on the summit recorded continuous winds over 110mph for 3 straight days.

Just because you didn't need something in a single certain specific instance doesn't mean you don't need to carry it generally.

Washington is known for extreme weather at all times of the year. People die up there even in the summer- and in fact, you actually more frequently see unprepared hikers on the mountain in the Summer than you do in the Winter, because folks are more likely to underestimate the conditions during the warmer months.

There's a really good book about the history of mishaps on Washington and in the rest of the Presidential Range- Not Without Peril. Many of the situations described in the book took place during warmer months- and not all of them had happy outcomes. IMO, this book is a "must read" for anyone who hikes in the White Mountains frequently.

I grew up in the White/Green Mountain region and I have heard stories like this time and time again. It is imperative to follow certain precautions in the White Mountains as well with any type of hiking but with those mountains conditions can be much different around the summits than it is down in the valleys where you park your car especially during this time of the year.
A great book to take a look through if you hike in this area is:
https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-Peril-Misadventure-Presidential/dp/1934028320

It gives you a great history of the misfortune along the Presidential Range and what to consider for your own safety.

[Not Without Peril: 150 Years of Misadventure on the Presidential Range of New Hampshire] (https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-Peril-Misadventure-Presidential/dp/1934028320/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469484204&sr=1-1&keywords=not+without+peril+150+years+of+misadventure+on+the+presidential+range+of+new+hampshire) by Nicholas Howe is a fascinating book filled with hiking and backcountry history, adventure, and misadventure.

Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why by Laurence Gonzales is an interesting look at survival in the wilderness, which is always handy for those of us who spend a good deal of time in the backcountry.

> I think I heard of an accident report book for the Whites.

Not Without Peril - 150 Years of Misadventure On the Presidential Range ^^non-referral ^^link

Thoreau wrote a lot about New England. His Cape Cod is pretty good.

For New Hampshire adventure, Not Without Peril is fascinating.

Glad you had a good hike, and day for it!

Much better than the last time I was up there in winter. Got about 2/3 the way up Sunset Ridge, just past tree line, was pelted with ice pellets and 70+ MPH wind gusts that literally knocked me off of my feet. Needless to say, we turned around and went back to our start (forecast had not been so vicious for peaks that day). Winter hiking is always pretty and fun, but always respect the mountain and it's temper-tantrums lol. Just make sure to have the right gear, extra layers for warmth, a bivy, sleeping bag, backpacking stove, etc. A good read on how vicious these mountains can get: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-Peril-Misadventure-Presidential/dp/1934028320

As /u/rabidstoat has already recommended, Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon is a fascinating read. One of the authors (Michael P. Ghiglieri) also co-wrote its sister book, Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite. Both books manage to not be overly morbid (tales of near-misses are included, so it isn't just one death after another) and actually seemed uplifting to me. I came away with a real sense of respect for the wilderness; if we are aware of the dangers and risks every time we venture out, however seemingly remote, our chances of survival in a "worst case scenario" improves.

There are other books in a similar vein that chronicle all (or most) deaths in specific wilderness areas, such as Not Without Peril: 150 Years Of Misadventure On The Presidential Range Of New Hampshire. These are good too, but often seem to be a collection of first-hand accounts and historical vignettes. Ghiglieri manages to weave all of his information into a larger overarching narrative with a satisfying conclusion. I'm really hoping he does another one of these books!