Mount Washington, located in Northern New Hampshire, about 45 minutes from North Conway, lies over 6,000 feet above sea level. It is noted for being the tallest mountain in the Northeast that features harsh alpine climates during the winter. Together with the Mount Washington Hotel and numerous nearby ski resorts, it draws thousands of tourists annually, many of whom come to climb the mountain.

Most visitors underestimate the mountain’s many dangers. Mount Washington regularly drops below 0 degrees. Having records for wind speeds and wind chills. This gives the mountain its unofficial nickname, “the mountain of death.” This isn’t K2, Annapurna, or Mount Everest, it’s just a mountain that many underestimate with many paying the price.

In November alone Mount Washington chalked up a handful of rescues, as people who were unprepared for the ascent became lost or suffered hypothermia in the harsh conditions. Clouds commonly cover the mountain, with rare good days outside of the winter season. People wearing regular pants and basic hiking equipment expecting a basic climb, find themselves sent into negative degree temperatures at 80mph winds.

Each year over 25 people are rescued off of Mount Washington, not because it’s deadly, but because people looked at basic numbers online, saw it was small, and thought nothing of it. Mount Washington is colder and deadlier than most mountains located out West. Over 160 people have died on Mount Washington, with many being just a mere 50 feet from the shelters at the top. Most of these deaths, if not all, occurred during the winter months.

Even with all of the dangers you should not avoid visiting this mountain. Mount Washington is great for skiing, mountaineering and ice climbing and many established outfitting companies provide people with the opportunity to experience the mountain’s various outdoor activities. If you plan to visit New England’s highest mountain, make sure you’re well prepared. Your clothing should be appropriate for extremly cold snowy conditions rather than for a summer hike. And if you’re skiing or ice climbing, make sure you have the adequate experience to do so.