NH Presidential Traverse

“I'm co-organizing a Presidential Traverse for the first weekend in June. It is a dayhike, but I plan on camping out near the trail head the night before. The plan is to hit all the major peaks (+ Webster) in the range. I am trying to do it in 12 - 13 hours. Let me know if you are interested (there will be some telephone screening by the hiker I'm planning this with).

Stats:

Total distance: 23.8 miles (more or less depending on the exact route and who's counting)

Elevation gain: approx 10,000 feet (depending on the exact route and method of counting)

Book time: approx 16 hours.

http://www.backpacker.com/2010-november-best-hikes-presidential-traverse-new-hampshire-white/destinations/14898

http://www.summitpost.org/presidential-traverse-madison-to-webster/464370”

“Thanks...but no thanks”

“I love this hike.Look forward to reading your trip report.”

“Before becoming senile, I only did this as a backpack. Did most of it once with Sirpete and Walkindude from TT.

says the backpacker article:

"Although some tackle it in a day, most sane hikers take two to three days."
last edited: 3/27/11 7:53:13 AM”

“What about the Pemi Loop day hike?

http://matt.tracz.org/whites/pemi.html”

“And that is where I am at...I am just not into brutal high mileage one day hikes...even before I became senile.

Having been to the Whites they are to be enjoyed not endured.”

“Sticks - I definitely wouldn't challenge your sense of what is enjoyable or where enjoyment stops and endurance begins for you.

I've backpacked into the Presi's five times - doing the full traverse solo as part of a longer trip. I've also dayhiked there in winter and summer - it's all been fun. I've also started to enjoy the occasional butt kicker hike and the ridge is a pretty cool place for one.

Last summer I had a couple 20+ mile day hikes and had a blast both times. I also finished the Long Trail last summer with a 28 mile day and had a great time of it. So for me, for me a Presi traverse could be lots of fun. We have one alternate day selected - hopefully weather will cooperate because it can be ugly there any time of year.”

“Considering the expense and time for me to get there I am going to enjoy it. The NE is almost like going west for me. There is just no quick way to get there.
last edited: 3/27/11 12:22:00 PM”

“I'm going backpacking in the second half of July - probably will hike from Monson south on the Maine AT if 32oz is still going (otherwise maybe northern NH or 100 Mile Wilderness + Katahdin).”

“I'd be interested in doing this again.
It was great fun despite the weather.”

“Hey Pepsis - I'm assuming it is the traverse (not the AT section) that you'd be interested in?”

“Yes Ped, the traverse.

Telephone screening?”

“My co-conspirator - who leads hikes with the AMC - wants to talk on the phone with anyone who comes. I can't blame him - I've been on trips and heard about trips like this where one person isn't up for it an ends up being miserable while everyone else is frustrated and no one finishes.”

“BTW Pepsi - any advice on pacing (or other advice) regarding these kinds of day hikes?

I hear some argue for lots of smaller steps on the uphills - others for longer slower strides. So far, I've just hiked and tried to keep a comfortable pace - but if there are ways to do this better that work for the traverse, I might take up some offers to do still bigger hikes (like the Pemi loop).”

“Pedxing..

I used the 'smaller steps on the up hill' approach. But thats just me...

'32oz”

“Thanks.”

“Agreed, smaller steps up hill and slower when I need to lower my heart rate.
Though sometimes in the Whites, like Mt Washington, the boulders dictate your stride.
I also do long exaggerated steps on some flats to help keep the hamstrings from tightening. (probably fun to watch but I do usually hike solo).”

“I'm still interested if there are cancellations.”

“cross post from mountainproject.com - dude looking for a partner:


http://www.mountainproject.com/v/eastern_states/wanted_hikingtrail_running_guide_partner_for_presi_traverse/107086731”