Hiking Mt. Washington in the winter is one of the most difficult mountaineering challenges the East Coast has to offer. The mountain stands 6,288 ft tall with a barren alpine zone covering the last 1,700 feet. Many prospecting climbers get seriously injured each winter due to avalanches, whiteouts, and icy conditions. This winter, however, two Oakmont seniors, Sam Belcher and Weston Cinclair, tackled the challenge. See how they prepared and stayed safe on their climb to the summit.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Weston Cinclair

The base of Mt Washington as seen from Tuckerman Ravine, 7:43 AM. Starting early in the morning helps climbers regulate temperatures and avoid sweating during the initial climb.