Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine packing checklist | Camp Check

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Trip details · Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine

# Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine packing checklist

*   Activity**Day hike**
*   Park**White Mountain National Forest, NH**
*   Nearest**Blackwoods Campground, 153 mi**

The classic route up the Northeast’s highest peak, from Pinkham Notch through a glacial cirque. The summit weather is famous for being severe.

## Trip details

To Hermit Lake

2.4 mi, 1,800 ft gain (USFS)

Summit cone

About 1,000 more vertical ft above the ravine

Summit

6,288 ft

Winter

Late fall to early summer it’s a mountaineering climb (USFS)

Best season

July to September (our pick)

### Source

*   [USFS White Mountain NF: Tuckerman Ravine Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/trails/tuckerman-ravine-trail)
*   [NH State Parks: Mt. Washington State Park](https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/mt-washington-state-park)
*   [Mount Washington Observatory: higher summits forecast](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx)

"Our pick" seasons are our own call.

## Packing list

Reset

Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 13

### Before you go

*   **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [USFS White Mountain NF: alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/alerts) and the [Mount Washington Observatory: higher summits forecast](https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx) the day you go.
*   **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm)
*   **Know when to turn back.** Check the higher summits forecast. If wind, cloud or cold builds above the ravine headwall, turn back at Hermit Lake. From October 16 the summit building is closed for the season, so there’s no shelter or water on top.

This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group.

We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate)

Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match.

### Trip-specific: permits and hazards

1.  **Summer-only list**USFS: from late fall to early summer this is a mountaineering ascent that needs an ice axe, crampons and avalanche gear. This list doesn’t cover that.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [USFS White Mountain NF: Tuckerman Ravine Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/trails/tuckerman-ravine-trail)

2.  **Check the spring closure**USFS closes the section between Lunch Rocks and the Alpine Garden each spring.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [USFS White Mountain NF: Tuckerman Ravine Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/recreation/trails/tuckerman-ravine-trail)

3.  **No services on top after Oct 16**NH State Parks: the summit building closes for the 2026 season on October 16. After that there’s no shelter, food or water on top.Need itHave it

    No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

    Source: [NH State Parks: Mt. Washington State Park](https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/mt-washington-state-park)

### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm)

1.   **Water**No water on the summit after Oct 16. Carry 3–4 L each for a full day: about 1 L per 2 hours.Need itHave it

     ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz

     $17.99 on Amazon

     No water on the summit after Oct 16. Carry 3–4 L each for a full day: about 1 L per 2 hours.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

     Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm)

2.   **Food and extra food**Pack lunch plus extra food. Nothing is for sale on top.Need itHave it

     No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park.

3.   **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Cloud can drop visibility to a few feet above treeline. Carry map and compass.Need itHave it

     ![Suunto A-10 Compass](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SgLIozPML._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Suunto A-10 Compass

     $24.00 on Amazon

     Cloud can drop visibility to a few feet above treeline. Carry map and compass.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRB49PK/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

4.   **Headlamp**In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.Need itHave it

     ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Petzl Tikka Headlamp

     $34.95 on Amazon

     In case you finish after dark. Your phone isn’t a headlamp.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

5.   **Sun protection**Above treeline there’s no shade.Need itHave it

     ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg)

     Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)

     $11.49 on Amazon

     Above treeline there’s no shade.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

6.   **Warm layer, hat and gloves**The summit is far colder and windier than Pinkham Notch, even in summer.Need itHave it

     ![Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0 Fleece](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61UAwxBzgpL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0 Fleece

     $45.50 on Amazon

     The summit is far colder and windier than Pinkham Notch, even in summer.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076R6L58/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

7.   **Rain layer**Fast-moving storms are common above treeline.Need itHave it

     ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)

     $22.74 on Amazon

     Fast-moving storms are common above treeline.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

8.   **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it

     ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5

     $31.95 on Amazon

     For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

9.   **Fire starter and emergency shelter**If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.Need itHave it

     ![SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xGw29aTYL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     SOL 90% Emergency Bivvy

     $25.49 on Amazon

     If you get stuck out after dark, a bivvy and a lighter keep you warm until help comes.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NC9BLQ5/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

10.  **Knife or repair kit**For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.Need itHave it

     ![Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sHi+R6qwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)

     Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife

     $16.62 on Amazon

     For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.

     [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20)

Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed.

## Photos

![Tuckerman Ravine headwall from the trail](/photos/tuckerman-ravine-1.webp)

Photo: [Steve Bennett (talk · contribs)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tuckerman_Ravine_Stevage.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

![The Tuckerman Ravine route toward Mount Washington](/photos/tuckerman-ravine-2.webp)

Photo: [Outdoor Craziness](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tuckerman_Ravine_Route_to_Mt._Washington_-_panoramio.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates **44.2625°N 71.2983°W**

Elevation **6,288 ft**

Park **White Mountain National Forest, NH**

Time now **UTC --:--:--**

[](/spots/alum-cave-trail)[](/spots/old-rag)[](/spots/tuckerman-ravine)[](/spots/blackwoods-campground)[](/spots/elkmont-campground)

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**Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price.

**AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy.

**Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others.

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