There is a lot of confusion among thru-hikers who haven’t been there about what OK in the Whites and what’s not.
Foremost, there are 2 long and very exposed ridge walks above treeline, the Franconia Ridge and the Presidential Ridge, extending from Mizpah to well past Madison peak. You need to be prepared for severe weather. Full rain gear, both tops and bottons, poly pro tops and bottoms, hat, and fleece. It can snow up there any month of the year. And with driving rain or mist, you just get damp and cold unless adequately protected and covered.
No camping above treeline unless there is at least 2 feet of snow cover. The vegitation is very fragil, and everyone needs to keep off it.
Hammocks usually are suited for warm weather. If you have used it and stayed warm in freezing weather before, then shouldn’t be a problem.
Once below treeline, it might be easier to find a place to sling a hammock than find a rock free and flat place to tent.
Now, if you study the map profiles and plan accordingly, then you don’t need to spend the night where you have the severe exposure. For example, you might go from Crawford Notch to Lakes of the Crowds, and either do a work for stay at Lakes or sleep in the Dungeon, and then go past Madison to the Osgood tent site area the next day. You will be exposed during the day, but sheltered at night.
Of course, there are other options. But it took me all day to go the 12 miles from Mizpah to Madison. And I was beat.
Incidently, I left Glencliff on July 10 last year. I spent a night at Kinsman Pond, and because it was cool and misty, I needed to bundle up well. Then I thought I was going to get blown off the Franconia Ridge by the wind and driving rain. Other than that, I slept OK the other nights, and was in the clouds most of the time, but nothing more severe. So, weather is unpredictable, and everyone needs to be prepared for the worst.
Peaks
