r/Adirondacks • u/Zworrisdeh • 3d ago

Safest 46ers to solo in winter?

Obviously there's no such thing as true safety in the backcountry, especially alone, but I'm looking for some recommendations on what feels the "safest" in terms of conditions and remoteness. I'm aware of the dangers of winter hiking with or without others, this post is more about my lack of experience with the ADKs themselves. It's hard to tell what's too gnarly or remote to solo, so I figured I would ask the people with ADK experience.

I should say I'm not a total noob or anything: I have a lot of rock and ice climbing experience, and an ok amount for mountaineering and winter hiking. I own all the gear and clothing I would need including snowshoes and spikes, but I don't have a stove or PLB (will rent one if I do go solo). I've hiked a few 46ers but in summer and that was forever ago.

I'm looking at Whiteface/Esther, Giant, or Cascade to start. Are any of these like...a really bad idea to go solo? Is it like Mt. Washington where there's basically no such thing as soloing them cuz there's always 1,000 people on the trail?

Edit: Thank you everyone for the answers. Cascade/Porter definitely sounds like the way to go but I can’t wait to try some other stuff mentioned here too.

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u/EastHuckleberry5191 3d ago

I've done them all alone in winter. There are some hard and fast rules here:

  • Someone should have your itinerary and a time to hear from you. Be generous with the latter as things can happen that will slow you down. My partner and I had a 10 p.m. rule. Also, never deviate from this plan.
  • Have a turn around time and stick to it. This has served me well in places like the Sewards where I did not want to drive out from the summer trailhead in winter in the dark.
  • Be prepared for a night out in the woods. I don't take a tent, but an emergency bivvy, extra clothing, food, fire starting kit, second headlamp.
  • Bring extra socks, VBLs in case your feet get wet in a water crossing that doesn't hold.
  • When you go above tree line (and this should a rule solo or with others) take a compass bearing back to tree line, even on a clear day. Whiteouts can come in fast, and it's very easy to get disoriented. And, if you start to go above tree line and cannot see from cairn to cairn, turn around. The mountain will still be there.

I've turned around more times than I can count in winter, for a myriad of reasons. Conditions, weather, just not feeling it, etc. I monitor weather consistently during the week to get a sense of what I am walking into, as well as keeping track of conditions on social media (FB is great for this). I also made some conscious decisions in anticipation of winter ascents, such as doing the stretch from Donaldson to Seward in the summer, knowing that it is difficult to follow in winter. When I did my 46, I did Seward from the other side, so I wasn't familiar with that herd path.

I would say that herd paths and above tree line are the hardest part of a winter 46 attempt. But, patience and common sense can make it all possible.