FKT: Justin Chapman, Russ Hoburg - Washington to Winnipesaukee - 2021-07-27

Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Supported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
15h 49m 54s
Report

On the morning of July 26, 2021, Russ Hoburg, Adah Chapman, and Justin Chapman were driven to the summit of Mount Washington by Russ's father, Jim Hoburg.  Jim provided support at several road crossings and trailheads throughout the day.  The odor of the western wildfires was noticeable at the summit of Washington, and the haze caused by the smoke was present all along the run.  We left the summit in high spirits. After joining the Davis Path we caught up with Jen Chapman (Justin's spouse and Adah's mom) and friend Andy Coppinger (creator of the Coppinger Quarter Grid) along the Davis Path, as they were headed to Mount Isolation via Glen Boulder.   We hiked several miles with them, but they turned off to Iso and we continued on our route. After completing the Davis Path we met Jim at Rt 302 and he provided a resupply.  One highlight of this route was that a random dog started running with us as we passed Sawyer Pond.  Despite our encouragement for the dog to return to the campsites near the pond, we could not get it to turn around.  The dog, now temporarily dubbed "Sawyer," happily continued to run with us to the Kancamagus and along the Oliverian Brook Trail and Old Mail Road to Ferncroft.  There was very little cell reception along this section, so when we met up with Jim for a resupply at the Kanc, we asked him to make some phone calls to see if local law enforcement could accept the dog from us at Ferncroft.  Upon arriving at the Ferncroft Trailhead in Wonalancet, and after about 35 miles, Adah decided to skip the road portion and bow out of the adventure, and our friend and accomplished runner and hiker, Ashley Benes (Papa Beans Ice Cream, North Sandwich, NH) joined Russ and Justin for the remaining 13 nighttime road miles to Lake Winnipesaukee. "Sawyer" waited at Ferncroft with Ashley's partner until the Carroll County Sheriff could come to collect him and return him to his owners.  We arrived at the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee at Lee's Mills, near the Hoburg Family Home, shortly before 1:00 a.m. on July 27, 2021.  Water was accessed during our resupplies, but it could have been filtered at a number of spots along the route, including the Saco River, Swift River, Oliverian Brook, and the Cold River.