The Pareto principle established the notion of the ’80/20 rule.’ As a thru-hiker on the AT, a specific observation one hears often is that when northbound (‘Nobo’) hikers reach the New Hampshire border, they have completed 80% of the distance of the AT, but only 20% of the effort. Assuming that had to be hyperbole, I repeatedly asked Nobos I met along the trail (especially in Maine as they were near the end of their hikes) whether they agreed with that statement or not. Surpringly, I never had a single hiker refute it. What that means to me (and to all Sobos) is that when we finish New Hampshire, we have completed approximately 80% of the effort of hiking the AT, though of course we still have 80% of the distance remaining. As I write this in the Emily Howe library in Hanover, New Hampshire- a literal stone’s throw from Dartmouth College- I am a mere 6/10ths of a mile from the Vermont border. I’ve completed all 442 miles of Maine and New Hampshire and I could not be more excited for what remains. It’d be wrong to say the trail will be ‘easy’ from here, but by all accounts it will be significiantly ‘easier.’
One way of measuring trail difficulty in different areas is to compare typical daily hiking mileage. Through Maine and most of New Hampshire my daily distance hovered between 10-15 miles. In the past 2 days I covered 44 miles on the AT and road walked 5 more miles for some sightseeing fun. South of New Hampshire, thru hikers routinely turn 20-25 mile days and seeing the terrain the past two days (see some of the photos below) I can see why- it is defintely getting easier.
The following pictures cover a period of 7-10 days from around the time we left Penny and Russ’ home in the White Mountains until this afternoon in Hanover. Incidentally, Hanover is the only town I’m aware of on the AT that I know I’ve visited as an adult. My daughter Emily and I came here to tour Dartmouth when she was choosing a college and we had a fantastic trip together. I had no idea at the time of Dartmouth’s relationship to the AT (the Dartmouth Outing Club maintains a large section of the AT in New Hampshire) or that the trail goes right through the campus and the main street of Hanover, but I had fond memories and was excited to see it again. My next entry will be from Vermont (or beyond!).
This sign speaks for itself
Temps in the 30s both days we summited Washington
Several of us stealth camped at this waterfall and spent the afternoon watching climbers repel down. Look carefully and you can see them.
My single favorite part of the AT so far: Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains.
No bad views from Mount Lafayette
Garfield summit, taken by a family in exchange for me taking theirs…they also threw in some dried mango.
The Dukes on the trail
Above the treeline, rock cairns mark the trail instead of white blazes
Cool rock outcropping on Haystack
Lunch at the beautiful Lonesome Lake hut
Post lunch old man nap
Stunning trail shot at about 7:30 a.m.
Cold again on the Moosilauke summit.
The Dukes do Moosilauke. Its a hiker tradition to do it in a dress, but everything made my butt look too big
From a fire tower just before sunset
Selfie from same fire tower
Sunrise from inside a shelter
Bill Ackerly’s house is right on the AT, and hikers are welcome for free icecream, water, rest, recharge phones, etc.
A cooler of ‘trail magic’ left on the side of the trail.
Same cooler- other side…needless to say, it made my day!
Walked a few miles off the trail one afternoon for a break, ending up in a sleepy little town where I saw this great old place
“…lost my boots in transit, baby, a pile of smokin’ leather. Nailed a retread to my feet and prayed for better weather…” (Robert Hunter)
No free rides locust dude…gotta keep my pack weight down!
Big breakfast at Pegs in Woodstock
Proof positive: terrain getting easier #1
Terrain getting easier #2
Terrain getting easier #3
Terrain getting easier #4
Last night I pooped in the woods…the Hanover Inn rocks!
White blaze on Main Street, Hanover
Embedded AT plaque directly in front of the Dartmouth green, main campus entrance. Mileage no longer accurate as it changes every year. Current AT is about 2185 miles..
Hey there Max Heap! So nice to meet you at Liberty Springs campsite. Glad to see the road is getting “easier.” Alas, I can’t post the phot we took in camp. But drop us a line if you come into Princeton! We would live to host you and your companions! Prettysweetdonkey *at* yahoo com
Thanks for the note and for the breakfast and fruit…that orange peel in the lunch picture from Lonesome Lake was from your gift orange! I hope you and your husband, the boys, and Bisquit and Charlie enjoyed your hike! I’ll email you so you can reply with pix to post. Thanks again!
Great Photos Michael, You are looking good with that full beard. Glad you are having such a good time, I’m so jealous! Although I don’t think my back would take that pounding. Just being able to take that much time off to do something so challenging and rewarding is awesome. Things are good in the hood. Ally my freshman is a starter on the Eagan volleyball team, ranked number 2 in the state. Really fun to watch her develop into a serious athlete. Morgan is really excited to start a SES next week. I think she is going to have wanderlust like you 🙂 as long as I’m paying that is. Be safe, Have fun & come home with some good stories.
P.S. after you are done with the AT, think about Minneapolis to New Orleans via kayak with me.
Gregg
You hit it on the head Murph…its the time off and the challenge/reward of the trail that have me hooked. Reintegrating into ‘normal’ society will be interesting, especially if I don’t give up the facial hair. Nice to hear how well things are going with the kiddos and yes, having a parent pay for this kind of thing would be a nice gig! If you’re serious about Kayaking the Mississippi, I’d defintely give it serious though. I’ve met a guy who did it and could put you in touch with him for further info. Maybe we could time it to coincide with Todd shows in various cities, ha! Thanks for staying tuned.
Blog looks good and glad to see your hike is getting easier. Let me know when you get into VA I live near ashby gap and would love to hook you up with a cold stiff drink and hike my territory with you for a sure and can def hook up a shower and bed for the night! Take it easy ill follow your blog for sure!
Thanks Stash! I will take you up on that when I get near…hey, remind me of where we met on the trail…?
Haven’t crossed your path yet followed your journal since you posted on white blaze just like to do trail magic for fellow hikers!
Aha! Got it, Stash. Will definitely contact you near Ashby gap! Thanks for tuning in brother!
Stash: I just sent you an email to your gmail account with upcoming itenerary near Ashby Gap…hope to see you soon! Max
Great to see your walkabout is going so well! Vermont is a special place to me, and I hiked the Long Trail end-to-end in high school – hope you have good weather through the Green Mountains! When do you expect to hit Connecticut? Been thinking of you, and checking in on you, good hiking sir!
Thanks for the note Ed! I’m writing to you from the Green Mountain House in Manchester Center, Vermont. While the White Mountains were captivating with amazing views, etc. Vermont is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen…and the hiking is amazing. I’ll be on the trail again tomorrow morning and will hit Mass in 3 days…I’m starting to do 20-25 mile days routinely so the pace is picking up. Wendy, Oliver, Emily and her husband Hamid will be meeting up with me in 9 days so I’m looking forward to that! Glad you’ve been following and thanks again for your encouragement just before I headed out. Say hi to the fam!