This wasn't even my idea! A friend of mine, Sarah, said she was gridding the Belknaps. My first single day traverse of all 12 was June 4, 2023 with Sarah. I didn't go in July but resumed in August with another single-day with Sarah. I kept this going and actually finished my grid in July of 2024 but I noticed my November was on the 30th of 2023. I figured if I could continue the grid through August and September, I could try to get there on 10/1/24 and get it done in 305 days. Turns out the leap year added a day. So 306 days. Brief summary by month:
November 2023 - My first solo single day. It was a 25- mile grind starting at Gunstock and ending back at Gunstock
December 2023 - With Sarah. I invited her to do the same Gunstock back to Gunstock Belknap Traverse. A great day.
January 2024 - 3 solo hikes. 18th for Major, Straightback, and the middle 5. Two hikes on the 25th for Rowe, GS, Belknap, Piper, Whiteface in Snowhoes
February 2024 - Great day with Sarah. Single Day Traverse. Spent time with a huge Moose at the top of Belknap. I'll post a video if I figure that out.
March 2024 - Tried to do a single day traverse in snowhoes with Sarah and Natalie. Pure mashed potatoes with water underneath. Natalie bailed early and Sarah and I finished 10 of the 12. Seven and a half hour grind to get the 10 peaks. Went back the next day with Sarah and Tucker to get Piper and Whiteface.
April 2024 - Single day traverse with Sarah. A pretty great day and this completed Sarah's Belknap Grid
May 2024 - Single day traverse with Mike Martineau. An epic day and my fastest single day traverse to that point.
June 2024 - 2 days (3 strava activities). June 13th for 10 of the peaks. A beautiful day and met a friend at Alton Bay. June 15 with Jacy and Renee for Major and SB
July 2024 - 2 days (3 activities). July 27 with Renee for Rowe, GS, Belknap Piper. 28th solo for Major, SB, and the middle 5. Drove over to Belknap Mtn Road and hiked Whiteface.
August 2024 - Single day solo...and a long one. I did the traverse from Major and ended back at Major. 27+ miles...a great day.
September 2024 - 4 separate days. On the 15th, Major, SB, and Anna with Renee. On the 21st started on Wood Road (solo) and took the trail to Round Pond, did the middle 5 and linked over to get Belknap, GS, Rowe. Then back to start. 28th got W Quarry and Rand from Reed Road solo. 29th got piper and whiteface.
October 1st, 2024. - Solo and my PR by like 40 minutes. 5h37m starting at Belknap Mountain Rd trail head. Whiteface, Piper, Belknap, GS, Rowe...through GS parking lot to trails to Round pound...then MAck, Klem, Rand, W Quarry, Anna, N Straightback Major and out. 306 days, 6 hours, 58 minutes from first start to final end.