Three-Day Pressie Traverse: June 26-28

[the_swede]

Here's a brief trip report from my first ever Presidential Traverse:

Started out at Appalachia on Friday and hiked Madison & Adams. A storm rolled in while on Madison so I quickly descended to Madison Hut. By the time we got to Adams, the sky cleared up. Camped at Gray Knob hut. The northern Presidentials are definitely rugged.

Awoke to pleasant weather but it soon turned foggy while ascending Jefferson. By the time we got to Clay, it was again sunny. Mount Washington was a mob scene, especially when the weather made a turn for the worse and all the tourists scurried into the visitor's center. We descended Mount Washinton in very thick fog but by the time we made it to Lakes of the Clouds it had again cleared up. The ridge walk between Monroe and Eisenhower was very pleasant. The name Mount Eisenhower is very fitting for a mountain whose bald pate has a certain likeness to its namesake president. We continued onto Mitzpah Hut where we were able to feast on the leftovers of the hut guests. Camped out at Neuman which was *alright*.

I awoke at 5:30 in the morning, quickly made breakfast and broke camp. The muddy trails and foggy conditions made the rest of the traverse seem like I was walking through forest primeval. Almost Adirondack-y. Finished on Webster by 10 AM and celebrated with a swig of rum! Caught the shuttle from Crawford Notch back to Appalachia. Success!

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/t3h_sw3d3/sets/72157620778973756/detail/

[catdacker]

Hi Swede, Nice report. Did you need reservations for the hut? We are hoping to do a hut to hut hike in early September just before they close for the year. Thanks! Mike D.

[the_swede]

Hi Swede, Nice report. Did you need reservations for the hut? We are hoping to do a hut to hut hike in early September just before they close for the year. Thanks! Mike D.

Nope, no reservation necessary. We just showed up, paid $12 bucks and set up our stuff. They even have mattresses. The Gray Knob hut fits twelve.

[catdacker]

Thanks Swede. I signed in on North Dome & Sherrill a week after you did that long hike over Halcott and those two. I guess you were getting in shape for the Presi traverse. Hiking in the White mountains is so different than the Cats.

[Jay H]

Sounds like a great trip, a one day pressie traverse was my introduction to the whites, a nice enough introduction that the next year I did another one (but this time including Webster and Jackson)...

Jay

[the_swede]

Thanks Swede. I signed in on North Dome & Sherrill a week after you did that long hike over Halcott and those two. I guess you were getting in shape for the Presi traverse. Hiking in the White mountains is so different than the Cats.

Actually, I was just working on the Catskills 35. :D I had no intention on doing a Pressie traverse until a few days before. I was originally going to do the DP in a day but those plans fell through.

[the_swede]

Sounds like a great trip, a one day pressie traverse was my introduction to the whites, a nice enough introduction that the next year I did another one (but this time including Webster and Jackson)...

Jay

Nice. Have you done a Pemi loop or a Carter-Moriah traverse?

[Jay H]

Nope on both counts. In fact, I've never hiked Carter or Moriah, it's still on the radar... I hope to get more in the Pemi loop done, I've done all of the peaks of one except the hard part, the franconia ridge (outside Garfield which I have done).

Jay

[Jim C]

Nice report Swede and great pics :tup:. I'm hoping to get up there later this summer myself

Congrats on a successful traverse :drink:

[ferrisjrf]

Camped out at Neuman which was *alright*.

Care to expound? I'm just curious. I've walked by there probably 10 times, but never stayed.

Sounds like a cool trip. You managed to spend 3 summer days in the Prezzies, and didn't stay at a single AMC hut. That's an accomplishment!...although you did eat at one. I live in a glass house, though, so I can't throw any stones.

Jason

[the_swede]

Care to expound? I'm just curious. I've walked by there probably 10 times, but never stayed.

Sounds like a cool trip. You managed to spend 3 summer days in the Prezzies, and didn't stay at a single AMC hut. That's an accomplishment!...although you did eat at one. I live in a glass house, though, so I can't throw any stones.

Jason

Eh, maybe it was just the combination of the wet weather and the site we had that just made it seem a little dreary. Every so often the smell of the latrine would waft across the path and into our campsite. Not that I'm expecting luxury for $8 but I've had better campsites for free.