Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey through the whites. I did this route northbound to have the runnable terrain come earlier and because finishing in Grafton Notch felt more inspiring. Would love to see the differences with a southbound.
REPORT
The pemi was smooth. I had a small stomach issue on Garfield Ridge but that went away. Climbing was smooth and I shot down Osseo quite quickly. Lincoln wood transiting was great and Connor hauled me through the first part of the Pemi with a supply drop from Mark.
I picked up Ben at LW and we did our best to match my aggressive split to Highland. We moved well and focused on eating and drinking to prep for the night. Ben was sharp and showed his experience as he guided me into the first night. We got into Highland just on the overall split.
I have few words for the next stretch. Andy and I had a journey that is hard to fully describe. A clear cool moonlit night in the southern presi turned into a wicked windy and treacherous stretch from Washington to the bottom of Madison. Terribly visibility, wind chills in the 30s, and damp rocks made for a mental and physical push through the we hours of the morning. Andy is a legend. I smashed my right ankle on a rock around Adams but I got out of the presi unscathed otherwise. The descent brought 3,600 ft in just over 3 miles to test my legs as I passed the 60 mile mark.
Down to Gorham over the pine mountain area I used the mild terrain to refuel. This was going to be the toughest stretch. The sun was coming out and the clouds started to clear. I rolled through Gorham with Andy before picking up Will for the last leg. Just past the 24 hr mark now, I was feeling it. My amazing crew loaded me up for the final stretch. I knew that Will would push me. The traverse started well. My climbing legs were strong the whole way. As we pushed further into the Mahoosuc my doubts and troubles started to poke through. Will kept me centered and kept me moving. The key DONT STOP MOVING. I grew frustrated with a few ailments my legs were experiencing - at the 80 mile mark it’s hard to believe I was feeling as strong as I did still. The Mahoosuc is all there. The rugged trails on top of the miles stacking slowed my pace but I just kept moving.
The new goal - get to Old Speck. With each view the peak got a little closer. Andy, Megan, Mom, and Andrew met us as the south end of the notch. The notch was brutal. Using my body in that was I taxing. I then put everything I had into one final push to climb the Arm and the last of Old Speck. Will kept encouraging me and I started to see the light.
On the last little bit of climbing I turned and saw it all. I saw all the way to Lafayette. The 100 miles I just traversed lay behind me. I took one Quick Look and then, as if I could hear Will telling me to keep moving, I turned north.
The way down old Speck was tough. The end was near but miles are miles and I was not fast. 25-30 minute mile were my best and the headlamps came on shortly into the descent. Two sunsets.
Finally, I hit the trailhead. What a journey.
Again, I cannot thank my pacers and crew enough. You all had my back from start to finish. ❤️❤️