Yesterday, the LAST day of winter, I had the opportunity to take mother and son team, Amy and Will, on their first ascent of Mount Washington. These two had done some other adventurous stuff around the world; climbing in the Gunks, back-country snowboarding in the San Juan’s, glacier travel in Alaska, sea kayaking, and more.
Given the crowds, ascending the traditional Lion’s Head Winter Route, and the snow conditions in the Ravine, we opted for the more alpine “Lobster Claw” gully to ascend the mountain. We were treated to bluebird skies, virtually no wind, and very reasonable temperatures (I was in a t-shirt most the day). We descended Lion’s Head after enjoying the summit, and through out the day every person we met on the mountain had the same thing to say. “How about this weather?”
David grew up skiing in the Whites and started climbing at a summer camp just north of Mt. Washington when he was 16. Those first couple of years solidified climbing as a lifetime passion. From 1996-2000 he served in the USMC, and spent the better part of those years traveling the globe (18 countries).
After returning to civilian life he moved to North Conway to focus on climbing and was hired in 2004 as a Rock and Ice Instructor. Since then Dave has taken numerous AMGA courses, most recently attaining a Single Pitch Instructor. He has completed a Level 3 AIARE avalanche course, is a Level 2 Course Leader, holds a valid Wilderness First Responder and is a member of Mountain Rescue Service.
When David isn't out guiding he enjoys mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, backcountry skiing, trying to cook something new once a week and sampling new micro-brews. He lives in Conway, NH with his wife Michelle and son Alex.
