Some climbing destinations, like Mount McKinley or Mount Washington, have names that don't truly indicate the dangers involved in making your way to the peak. With Suicide Rock, however, it's pretty obvious that, depending on where you climb, you will be pushing your abilities to their absolute limits.

Located in Idyllwild, California, Suicide Rock rises approximately 7,528 feet into the air and can be climbed during all four seasons. The name, by the way, comes from a story involving a Native American princess. When her father, the tribal chief, demanded that she stay away from her true love, the legend says that her grief made her jump off the rock to her death.

It's not clear how much of this story is fact or fiction, but the dangers of Suicide Rock are all too real. In August, the Fox News affiliate in Los Angeles reported that two climbers were seriously injured when trying to climb the rock in a rainstorm. According to the report, the lead climber fell 85 feet and hit his partner, knocking them both off Suicide Rock.

This real-life tale indicates the need to be prepared for the changing weather conditions that you may encounter on a climb. For a destination like Suicide Rock, bouldering shoes like the Boreal Ninja can help ensure that your footing is secure.

Despite the obvious dangers, there are approximately 300 routes up Suicide Rock, some of which are suitable for beginners while others require a higher level of skill. With names like "Captain Hook," "Godzilla Face" and "Right of the Escalator," someone obviously had a lot of fun naming the various walls and approaches.

SummitPost.org recommends May through October as the best months to challenge Suicide Rock. Snow and ice can become a problem in December, depending on the California weather conditions and water levels.
With the right equipment and preparation, Suicide Rock can be a fun and challenging climb, but as those climbers demonstrated back in August, it can be a long way down under the wrong conditions.

Sources:
http://www.idyllwild.com/suicide.html
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152269/suicide-rock.html
http://www.myfoxla.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7330304&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

With freezing temperatures and strong winds, Mount Washington is suitable only for top-notch climbers.

Though the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy calls a towel the most useful item to carry in your pack, when attempting to climb to the top of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, you really should have a snow shovel. As the "Home of the World's Worst Weather," the summit is one of the most dangerous places to reach during the winter months (between October and May).

Arguably one of the toughest climbs in the continental United States, Mount Washington rises 6,288 feet above sea level, but the height isn't the biggest issue here. With an average annual snowfall of 256 inches and an average temperature of 26.5 degrees Fahrenheit, if the hypothermia doesn't get you during a climb, an avalanche could possibly bury you or one of your companions.

Falling ice can also be a big problem when attempting to reach the summit. Recent climbing advisories have reported frozen chunks the size of automobiles, which have smashed into rocks and turned them into dangerous flying missiles.

Suffice it to say, only the most experienced climbers should even think about climbing to the top of Mount Washington. The extreme cold combined with the high altitude and gale-force winds can sap the strength from even the most seasoned veteran, so make sure never to climb alone. Avalanches are typically a big problem during the winter months, so make sure to pack a good snow shovel and an avalanche beacon.

Despite the dangerous climate, the summit is home to the Mount Washington Observatory, which has monitored weather conditions and conducted scientific research since 1932. If climbing isn't an option, you can reach the summit by driving up the auto road or riding the cog railway between May and October. Even in the summer months, the weather can take a nasty turn, so it's always a good idea to check the conditions before heading out.

No matter how you attempt to reach the top, Mount Washington is one heck of a climb.

Sources:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/washington.html
Mount Washington Information: http://www.mountwashington.com/
Mount Washington Observatory: http://www.mountwashington.org/about/visitor/
The Cog Railway: http://www.thecog.com/
Mount Washington Auto Road: http://www.mountwashingtonautoroad.com/