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Summer is the primary hiking season in the White Mountains, both because of vacation schedules and generally better weather and trail conditions. Summer weather in other parts of New Hampshire can actually be so hot and humid as to discourage hikers, and the peak climbing season for Monadnock is fall when it is usually cooler and the foliage is more colorful. Just because hiking is more popular in summer doesn't necessarily make it any easier: a few summer hiking issues are caused by more people.
Having more people fills or empties things as the case may be. You may be unable to get a hut reservation or you may be turned away from a full shelter or parking lot. The spring may be dry when you get there. On a narrow trail such as Huntington Ravine Trail, you may not be able to pass slower groups or you may have to wait for people coming the other way. And some people just feel crowded long before any physical limit is reached.
While a cool drink from a mountain spring used to be one of the pleasures of hiking, concern about waterborne disease has caused many day hikers to bring water or sports drinks from home instead. For longer hikes including overnights, it may be easier to use natural sources and treat the water by filtration, boiling, or chemicals before drinking it. Many of the valley trails in New Hampshire follow large brooks which contain some water year round, while ridge trails may only offer seasonal springs which run dry when you need them most. If you plan on using natural water sources, check the map for possible water stops and prepare to adjust your route if necessary.
The combination of high temperature and humidity can lead to serious conditions such as heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Don't overexert yourself and drink plenty of liquids. Even drink from streams or puddles if it is excessively hot and you don't have any liquids left, because most waterborne diseases such as giardia are treatable while with sunstroke you may not live to see a doctor. Some hikers who have tried to push too hard have had fatal heart attacks, so know your limits and don't exceed them.
Hot weather in the valleys may lead to another problem: hikers who arrive above treeline in soaked T-shirt and shorts to find it 30 degrees colder with a strong wind. Bring extra clothing layers if you expect to climb high or stay out late.
Thunderstorms and lightning are not as much of a problem in New Hampshire as they are in many other areas. For one thing, they generally occur only a few days per month which can often be avoided by listening to weather forecasts. Also, most of New Hampshire is wooded and you can often reach a place of comparative safety fairly quickly. But there have been hikers killed by lightning in New Hampshire, most notably on Franconia Ridge.
Your best defense against lightning is to avoid hiking in open areas when thunderstorms are forecast. During a storm, seek shelter in a building or car if nearby and get out of open areas and off narrow ridges. Don't shelter under the largest tree around. Crouch low and stay away from metal objects such as pack frames and trekking poles.
Many mountain streams in New Hampshire dry up in summer, while larger ones may contain water year round. After the rain ends, the water may rise for several hours as earlier rainfall from higher in the watershed trickles in, so crossings may be most difficult after the storm is over. You can expect rain on about one-third of summer days in New Hampshire, more at higher elevations. Listen to weather forecasts if you plan a trip with major crossings and adjust your plans as necessary.
Black flies usually start around early May in the White Mountains and taper off over the next couple months, while mosquito season may be a month later. You can wear repellent which makes you sticky and runs in your eyes when you sweat, use heavy clothes or bug shirts which make you hot when you walk in them, or move fast to outrun the bugs. If you can tolerate bugs while walking but they annoy you when you're resting, try bringing a large bug net (such as those designed to go over cots) to put over you during breaks.
In bug season, try to avoid areas near swamps or brooks where insects are thickest. Pick a trail on the windy side of the mountain or with open areas. You may prefer easier trails than usual so you can swat bugs without being as careful of your footing.
Stinging insects such as hornets and wasps may cause pain and in rare cases shock and death. Speak to your doctor if you think you may be susceptible.
Lyme disease is not as common in New Hampshire as in southern New England, but it is still a good idea to check yourself for ticks and remove them before they become attached. The larger wood ticks seem to be spreading from near the Maine border to the western part of the state.
While during temperature inversions the high peaks may actually be warmer than the valleys, it is more usual for them to be 20 to 30 degrees colder than southern New Hampshire. The major White Mountain summits often have lingering snow until June, both at high elevations and at shady spots in the ravines where snow has drifted. It has snowed every month of the year on the higher summits, but this is unusual in July and August and can probably be avoided by careful attention to weather forecasts. Also watch out for icy trails after it has been below freezing at night.
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