hiking mt. lafayette in december: worth the icy struggle?

Last weekend, I convinced my husband to join me for a winter hike up Mt. Lafayette in New Hampshire. We bundled up in layers, packed our thermos with hot cocoa, and set out before sunrise, thinking we’d beat the crowds. Turns out, we were the only ones crazy enough to attempt it that early in December! The trail was beautiful—snow-covered trees, quiet except for the crunch of our boots. But halfway up, the wind picked up and the path turned into a sheet of ice. I slipped twice, and he kept grumbling about his frozen toes. We’d read online that the views from the summit are breathtaking, but honestly, I started to wonder if risking a twisted ankle was really worth it. Has anyone else tried hiking these New England peaks in winter? Did you find the icy trails more trouble than they’re worth, or is the view at the top really that magical? I love the idea of winter hiking, but I’m not sure my knees (or my marriage!) can handle another slip-and-slide adventure. #WinterHiking #MtLafayette #NewHampshire #Travel