Single day presidential traverse july 2015 chase the. Jul 08, 2015 initially worried that the july 4th crowds would ruin the experience i decided to just go for it. Aug 02, 2019 so, there are many options for doing this. The mission is to complete the presidential traverse in a single day, taking in all 10 summits including mount washington where the. My failed presidential traverse trip right kind of lost. Summit mount madison out and back up very rocky, scrambly trail. The mission is to complete the presidential traverse in a single day, taking in all 10 summits including mount washington where the strongest winds in.
The presidential traverse the presidential traverse by ben leoni. One of many popular routes, this version of the presidential traverse begins at the appalachian trailhead at the amc highland center. Although people define the presidential range traverse its full name differently, we tackled madison, adams, jefferson, clay, washington, monroe, franklin, eisenhower and pierce starting north to south from madison. Doing the presidential traverse hike in new hampshires. Hiking the entire presidential range in a single day. During a presidential traverse you gain 8500 feet over just under 20 miles. Solo summer one day presidential traverse trail to summit. He says that miserable 19hour day was monumentally more difficult than the. To complete the traverse, one must begin at either the northern or southern terminus of the presidential range and finish at the opposing end. Hiking huttohut in the presidential range the new york. Oct 01, 2018 the guys head home to boston and into the white mountains, where they first cut their teeth.
Hiking the presidential traverse is a big day in itself. An understanding of how far you can push your body will lead to a successful hike, even if you need to change plans and bail. A total of 21 miles covering all the presidential peaks in the white mountains. The presidential traverse is an excellent and welltraveled hike of some of new englands highest peaks almost all at maximum exposure. The presidential range also known by locals as the presis are notorious for having the worst weather in america making the timing and day choice critical.
A winter traverse of new hampshires presidential range the presi traverse is the quintessential multiday mountaineering objective in the northeast. Im going to do my first presidential traverse this year. How to prepare for the presidential traverse wandering. Backpacking a presidential traverse section hikers. During the warm summer months, many hikers attempt the route as a multi day trek. Running the presidential traverse chase the summit. While some people attempt it in one day, i knew i would need a few to complete it and to enjoy it. A presidential traverse is one of the most famous and strenuous hikes in the white mountains. If you can maintain a book time pace, it will take you 14 hours to hike a 19. This hike is probably the most enjoyable when attempted over a few days but we did it in one day. Going up to madison, the first peak of the day, youll get your first taste of rocky, rough trails and lots of elevation gain. It was probably the hardest thing ive ever done but it was absolutely amazing.
When i last prepped for a presidential traverse, i trained on. Contained almost entirely in the 750,000acre 3,000 km 2 white mountain national forest, the presidential range is a string of summits in excess of 4,000 feet 1,200 m. Jun 16, 2014 one of the most challenging day hikes in new england is the presidential traverse, a gargantuan ramble over all the major peaks of the presidential range in the white mountains of new hampshire. Doing the presidential traverse hike in new hampshires white. A presidential traverse is a strenuous and sometimes dangerous trek over the presidential range of new hampshires white mountains. Our first complication came about two miles up valley way trail, when my yearold cousin, aidan, fell in a river. We require that you stay with us the night before and arrive early so we can do a. Lets get one thing straighti am not a trail runner. I really want to do it in one day, so i can say i did, but i also want to be able to enjoy the scenery and experience the amc huts. We were supposed to hike the north part of the presidential traverse, but didnt even make it halfway up mount washington. Snow can come year round, as can torrential rain and highspeed winds. The presidential traverse requires a perfect weather window to be successful. An official presidential traverse begins at madison and then to adams. One day presidential traverse directionshuttlesingle car.
The hike is named after the peaks it travels over which are part of new hampshires white mountain range. Although people define the presidential range traverse its full name differently, we tackled madison, adams, jefferson, clay, washington, monroe, franklin, eisenhower and pierce starting north to south from madison to pierce. Summer presidential traverse northeast mountaineering. Theres lots to read id start with this super helpful site.
The one day presidential traverse is a massive undertaking and should not be taken lightly. I briefly considered attempting a one day traverse, but the idea intimidated me. The presidential traverse is a 22 to 28mile hike, depending on the route taken, that covers the full length of the presidential ridge in the white mountain national forest of new hampshire, so named because the eight peaks of the traverse are named after united states presidents. Winter presidential traverse northeast mountaineering. Guided presidential traverse synnott mountain guides. Yesterday, three friends and i did the presidential traverse which includes five of the tallest mountains in new hampshire. When planning a one day traverse, start early, mentally and physically prepare, and know your limits. Madison, adams, jefferson, washington, monroe, eisenhower, and pierce. You will be either starting or ending your day in the dark. Im working in the whites this summer and looking to do a one day presi traverse. I do this stuff because i love the mountains and because its a fun way to train for my. Summiting the tallest five peaks in the northeast, plus two or three more 4000footers, the total elevation.
Having hiked all 111 4000foot peaks by 2009, i had been on all of the peaks before and was familiar with the trails in summer, having previously done two summer presidential traverses. Plan on starting hiking at 0300 and it will probably take me all day to do the hike. The mountains along the path are all named after former presidents of the united states as well as some lesser peaks that are not along the presidential traverse that. Planning my 3 day presidential traverse into foreign lands. It definitely helps to climb with a partner who has hisher own ride, too. One day presidential traverse directionshuttlesingle. Splitting the route into a northern and southern presidential traverse is always an option. To get the best visibility, those attempting it often schedule their journey close to the summer solstice to maximize available daylight. We would like to bag all peaks of the presidential 11 peaks i think. Reaching out to the nutritional gurus for some advice putting together a food plan for a 1 day presidential traverse i plan on doing as soon as i got a solid forecast of weather. Covering nearly 20 miles of sometimes grueling, often beautiful terrain, it takes hikers over the presidential range, crossing seven 4,000foot peaks, all named after u. It logs more mileage and vertical climbing than the presidential traverse, and leads you across some. Ive been planning a oneday traverse of the presidential range in the white mountains of new hampshire for years.
All group and technical equipment is included tent, stove, ice axe, crampons, helmet. This trip usually takes 3 days, with 2 nights out in tents. My recent trip to the white mountains in new hampshire was one of those trips. One of the great hikes in the white mountains of new hampshire is called a presidential traverse. With the aid of the extended daylight hours, a strong few will tackle the route as a day hike. Jun 20, 2016 at over 23 miles and with more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain, a one day presidential range traverse is no small feat. On mt adams, one of the coolest summits in the whites standing tall at 5793 feet. I doubted my own fitness level, and i was nursing and recovering from an overuse injury after years of abusing my body through various forms of exercise. The winter presidential traverse adventure spirit guides. Over the last 10 years, the pemi loop has grown in popularity with hikers of all ability levels, from multi day backpackers to single day endurance athletes. One day presidential traverse directionshuttlesingle car questions hi there guys. June 20th was summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Have you ever had one of those trips where nothing seems to go according to plan. Hiking a 3day huttohut presidential traverse her pursuit.
One of the most challenging day hikes in new england is the presidential traverse, a gargantuan ramble over all the major peaks of the. Single day presidential traverse july 2015 chase the summit. The presidential traverse of new hampshire map mountainzone. The presidential traverse is a hike mostly within the white mountain national forest in new hampshire. The presidential traverse is a series of 4000ft mountains in the white mountains. A presidential traverse is hands down, the best training for higher peaks throughout the world. The other option is to trek straight through the whole thing in one day. Preparing for this challenge can help ensure a memorable experience. For a one day presi traverse you should start before the sun is up.
Winter presidential traverse day hike the wild outsiders. One person can leave a car at the southern end in amc highland depots parking lot while the other car can be taken to get to the appalachia trailhead. Our first complication came about two miles up valley way trail, when my year old cousin, aidan, fell in a river. The mission is to complete the presidential traverse in a single day, taking in all 10 summits. You can expect one day of preparation, two days of climbing with one night in the mountains. The challenge, of course, is to complete the trek in one day. Theres good camping on the north face of adams and jefferson and below mt pierce which argues for stretching it. Located in the heart of the white mountains of new hampshire this rugged point to point run or hike is considered to be one of the crown jewels of the north east and also one of the most strenuous. Its socalled because hikers climb all of the mountains in the presidential range of the white mountains in one continuous hike thats nearly 23 miles long with close to 9,000 feet of elevation gain.
As an ultraplanner, i went to town researching the presidential traverse. It is possible to hike a presidential traverse in all four seasons, but it can become very dangerous for those who lack proper weather tracking and route planning skills as well as those who lack proper gear or the ability to bail when needed. Sep 15, 2018 a presidential traverse is when you hike each of the peaks in the white mountains named after presidents in one swoop. Aug 09, 2017 hiking the presidential traverse is a big day in itself. How to prepare for the presidential traverse wandering with. The next day, the 50 of us had returned to the hard, satisfying work of running the oldest highmountain hut system in the united states. And for some reason, i chose labor day weekend, one of the busiest times of the year in these mountains, to do just that. This year, i decided id do it on the summer solstice regardless of if anyone could come with me. This hike includes the iconic franconia ridge trail, deemed one of the worlds best hikes by national geographic. Summiting the tallest five peaks in the northeast, plus two or three more 4000footers, the total elevation gain is 8,000 to 9,000 feet. I would only attempt a hike like this with climbers i knew well, or whom i knew were properly vetted, like through the amc. Now on round 5 the first round for her dog ruckus she has been honored to have taken part of many peoples firsts.
Appalachian hut hiking presidential peaks rei adventures. Take either randolph path, air line, or valley way trails to the amc madison springs hut. This trek climbs up and down seven major summits all exceeding 4000 feet in these notoriously windswept mountains. Oneday solo presidential traverse ive been planning a oneday traverse of the presidential range in the white mountains of new hampshire for years.
Tackling the hike means anywhere from 12 to 20 hours on your feet for some 19 to 23 miles while you gain about 9,000 feet of elevation. We did the presidential traverse at the end of our trip to vermont and new hampshire. One day presidential traverse training if you follow any of the above links, please respect the rules of reddit and dont vote in the other threads. Presidential traverse 3 days, 2 nights, staying at huts. The presidential traverse the presidential traverse is considered to be one of the finest hikes in new england.
Time control plan for a presidential traverse section hikers. To complete the traverse, one must begin at either the northern or. It was during a week where the northeast was having a record heat wave, so we had to move around our hiking date to accommodate the weather. My longest hiking day has been 23 miles that was relatively easy for me when i was pretty out of shape. The presidential range is home to the worlds highest winds and in the winter months temperatures regularly plunge well into the negatives even on a sunny day.
It is an ideal objective for anyone preparing to climb bigger mountains like mount rainier or denali. Trailrunning the presidential range attempting all nine. This trip is not for the faint of heart and not to be attempted in just one day but it can be done with the right preparation. Spanning over 20 miles and three days the presidential traverse takes one past andweather permittingonto the summits of eight peaks. At over 23 miles and with more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain, a oneday presidential range traverse is no small feat. Winter presidential traverse oneday winter presidential traverse i have had a goal for several years now to do a oneday winter presidential range traverse. Allison is the founder of which she began as a way to track and share her first round of the nh 4000 footers.
It requires an early start, hitting the trailhead at 3am. Jun 21, 2014 a presidential traverse is a strenuous and sometimes dangerous trek over the presidential range of new hampshires white mountains. Presidential traverse 3 days, 2 nights, staying at huts im starting slowly to prepare my presidential traverse for next june. Webster, jackson named after the state geologist, not the president. A presidential traverse is when you hike each of the peaks in the white mountains named after presidents in one swoop. One of the most intense and scenic activities in the northeast is the presidential traverse hike in new hampshires white mountains. Prepare to crush preparation and completion of this strenuous trek. Jul 22, 2018 if youre here, youre a little crazy like us, but fear not, we have you covered on how to successfully complete one of the toughest day hikes in the world the presidential traverse in the white mountains of new hampshire.
One of the most challenging day hikes in new england is the presidential traverse, a gargantuan ramble over all the major peaks of the presidential range in the white mountains of new hampshire. Most people do the presidential traverse from north to south. The presidential traverse hiking trail, gorham, new hampshire. There have been many deaths in the presidential range, even in. The traverse is considered an extremely difficult day hike, and should only be attempted by individuals that have substantial experience with hiking and are well prepared for rapid weather changes. Conquering the presidential traverse is arguably the most sought after hiking objective in new hampshire. Ive been planning a one day traverse of the presidential range in the white mountains of new hampshire for years. We require that you stay with us the night before and arrive early so we can do a gear check and get anything we may need. Im planning the presidential traverse in one day with my girlfriend and since its a long drive 5hours from quebec here we wont have two cars. The white mountains of new hampshire are known for having the worst weather in america, and the weather here is indeed unpredictable and severe. If doing the full presidential traverse in a day seems like too much, there are three amc huts along the route madison, lake of the clouds, and mitzpah. Id really like to get my food for the day dialed in for this hike.
Aug 27, 2014 perhaps the bestknown ridge hike in the east is the presidential traverse, a 20 to 22mile jaunt above treeline across the white mountains. We book 3 days so that we can shift the itinerary to fit. When i initially tried to do it with a group, we never had a day we could all do it that the weather worked out. This 23 day route is 25 miles in length with a cumulative elevation gain of 9,000 feet. Presidential traverse trail new hampshire alltrails. With that in mind, we are not sure whats the best way to get back to the car after the looonnnngggg day hike. A presidential traverse section hikers backpacking. Madison, adams, jefferson, washington, monroe, eisenhower. At over 23 miles and with more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain, a one day presidential range traverse is no small feat. It climbs eight 4000footers with 14 miles of abovetreeline hiking. Perhaps the bestknown ridge hike in the east is the presidential traverse, a 20 to 22mile jaunt above treeline across the white mountains. Presidential traverse a strenuous trek over new hampshires tallest mountain range named after former presidents of the united states. How to crush the presidential traverse in a single day.
The presi traverse is arguably one of the most strenuous hikes in the east, especially with backpack gear, even in a 2 day format. The presidential traverse is one of the most classic treks on the east coast, and it draws in a large crowd yearly. I had decided to tackle the 1 day presi traverse earlier in april. Consider shuttling cars the night before to ease logistical challenges and ensure your vehicle a spot in the lot. I have had a goal for several years now to do a one day winter presidential range traverse.