Presidential Range run?

ctxcrossx · Jan 14, 2008

Hello, 
I'm thinking of doing a solo run in the White Mountains this summer. I'm thinking of something in the presidential range. Maybe doing a hut to hut or something like that. I don't really have any time or distance regulations, but I figure it's going to be 1-2 days and I plan to go to the top of Washington at some point. Any suggestions? 
Chris

Greg · Jan 14, 2008

Hi Chris, 
Have done quite a few runs in the White Mountains over the last 2-3 years. All of them have been one shot deals. Did The full presidential Traverse from North to South and many other runs. 
Tried to do a Hut to Hut traverse in one shot (West to East) but ended up having to bail out at Lakes due to dangerous winds and weather. My friend did the full traverse alone two weeks later. I think your idea of doing these runs over more than one day is good; especially if you are going alone. I have done a few shorter runs alone but for safety sake it is good to go with another person. One misstep and you can trip on a root or rock and can get seriously hurt. Getting back down off the mountain at that point can be life threatening. 
Hut to Hut over multiple days is easy to set up. Just reserve the nights stay at all the huts you plan on staying at and you are all set. Where you stay depends on where you want to start from. Obviously, if you want to do Washington then you can stay at Lakes Hut. You can start at Route 93 (Lafayette trailhead; going up Bridle Trail) and work your way across from there. The options are to stay at Galehead Hut or Zealand Hut; depending on how many miles you want to put in on the first day. The second day would consist of leaving whichever hut you stay at and heading across Route 302 and up Crawford Path to Mitzpah hut and then on to Lakes Hut; summiting Washington from there. You can shorten the run by parking in Crawford Notch and running up Crawford Path. After summiting Washington you can either come back down to your car at 302 or go down towards Pinkham Notch and route 16. 
The one other issue you will run into is how to get back to your car. If you do run with another person you can "spot" a second car where you plan on finishing your run. Another option is to check the hiker shuttle schedule. It is very inexpensive and hits most trailheads. 
Hope all this helps a little! 
Greg

Sherpa John · Jan 14, 2008

A Pemi-Loop or Sandwhich Range traverse are the best bets for running anything substantial and NOT needing a car spot. 
If you can hook up with someone there's plenty to do... Presi-Traverse (hell.. Add isolation for 10 extra miles), Moriah-Carters and Cats, Kinsman Ridge to Moosilaukee. 
Hut to Hut is a 24 hour adventure... 
Let me know Chris... I'll do any of these with you ANY time. <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">

The_Professor · Jan 14, 2008

I'll be in NH from mid-May to mid-August (at least)...it will take me a few weeks to get my mountain legs back, but after that I'd be up for anything. I'm alreasy planning at least a Pemi-loop and a Presi-traverse as training for Vermont (among others). I'm off work for those months (rough life) so my schedule is pretty much wide open.

Greg · Jan 14, 2008

Hi All, 
Sounds like we have the making of a nice group to get together for a great mountain run. I know of at least one more person that would be interested. We usually pick a weekend day (usually Saturday) and then follow the weather for the week leading up to that day; and if the weather is pretty good we go for it. One thing you always have to be aware of is the potential, of quick changing, dangerous weather at elevation. It seems to be worse on the Franconia Ridge leading to Lafayette and from Mitzpah hut across to Lakes and then up to Washington. From my experience these extreme changes in weather can happen during any month of the year! I've been caught in bad weather even in August. 
Let's stay in touch as we get closer to the Summer. I would like to get 4-5 good, long mountain runs in this Summer. I'm even thinking about the Long Trail. Also thinking about Hut Traverse around the Summer Solstice. Had to bail out last year so I have some unfinished business. Plan on doing it in one shot and probably will start from Carter Notch hut and go East to West. 
Anyone else got any additional ideas for runs. 
Greg

Sherpa John · Jan 14, 2008

Killkenny Range Traverse (north of the Presi's) 
Mount Washington to Waterville Valley (35 Miles not including hike to the top) 
These are what I've had my eyes on Greg<img alt="icon_thumleft.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif">

Greg · Jan 14, 2008

Hi John, 
I'll have to get my maps out and take a look! What are you getting for snow up there? Mostly rain here! It was nice to be able to get a good trail run in with no snow Saturday. 
Greg

Rockhopper · Jan 14, 2008

So many great runs to do in the Whites, so little summertime... 
I’m planning a June 21 Summer Solstice Hut Traverse, which will be approx. 52 miles with 18,700' elev. gain. 
Logistics: 
June 20: drive to Franconia Notch, take the AMC hikers shuttle to Appalachia/Valley Way trail head, hike up to Madison Hut and spend the night. 
June 21: Run from Madison to Carter to Pinkham via the Wildcat Ski slopes, then on to Lakes via Tuckerman's and the rest of the huts ending at Lonesome Lake, then back to my car for a nap and the drive home. 
Last year I did a solo Hut Traverse by the same logistics, except I started at Carter and did what I call a "minimal Hut Traverse," skipping Pinkham and all unnecessary summits. Still, it took me 19:25 to complete. I consider this time "middle-of-the-pack," which is how I’ve placed in 100k-100m mountain ultras. The record for the longer route I’m planning this year is reported to be 12:11 and that’s just amazing. 
Be great if others were interested in joining me for a Solstice Hut Traverse this year. However, anyone trying this should already be familiar with the extreme trail rockiness and dangerous weather found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Greg · Jan 14, 2008

I was hoping you were out there!!! 
I'm in this year and really looking forward to trying the traverse this way. It is on my calendar. Let's hope for decent weather! 
Greg

Rockhopper · Jan 14, 2008

Oops--I meant June 21 for the Hut Traverse (which is the summer solstice). The original post was corrected.

Sherpa John · Jan 15, 2008

Ya don't say! Don;t tell any of those west coasters about our tough trails.. their likely to fight ya! <img alt="notworthy.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/notworthy.gif">

ctxcrossx · Jan 15, 2008

These all sound like great possibilities! I'm definitely up for something! I haven't been to the Whites in about 20 years, but if I do any of these, I may make a small day trip or two just to get in a few mountain miles beforehand. If I do, I'll post to see if anyone is interested. 
I'm going to have to get a map or two to check out some route possibilities. One thing I'm wondering about is one day vs. multi-day. It seems like a multi-day may be a challenge since you have to reserve a spot at the huts so far in advance, yet the weather may not be great at that time. Any thoughts? 
Chris

Rockhopper · Jan 15, 2008

Chris, 
I've always been completely beat after only one day running in the Whites, but still a multi-day is intriguing. Might be cool to start at Franconia Notch, run over to Pinkham Notch one day, and run back the next. 
But yeah, the weather is always an issue in the Whites. However, while you might not want to run above timberline in high wind and rain, there are often alternative routes at lower elevations. For the June 21 Hut Traverse attempt, if the weather is really foul I'll probably just run from Madison Hut back to Franconia Notch via trails and roads that mostly stay below timberline. 
The main problem I have with a self-supported multi-day run is all the food and gear you'd have to carry. But you could leave drop bags at AMC facilities at Crawford Notch and Pinkham Notch. We've left drop bags at Crawford Notch on Hut Traverse attempts with no problems. 
As far as hut reservations go, many do completely fill up months in advance for weekend dates. But others have space up to the last minute. One approach would be to decide the day before that the weather looks good, get a bunk wherever there is space, and plan a multi-day around that. 
Thanks for this thread, you've got me dreaming! 
Jeff

Sherpa John · Jan 17, 2008

Went out to the Bonds (pemi Loop) yesterday.. just so you guys know... They're still there! Simply amazing place... can't wait to run it again!

Presidential Range run?

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