Winter Presidentials

Itinerary

Pre-Trip:

THE DAY BEFORE: The day before might include logistical and preparatory actions such as spotting a car, performing a gear check, etc.

THAT EVENING: Start eating right this evening if you haven’t been. Avoid experimental foods, drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol. Prepare anything that you will need in the morning. Also, ensure you’re well rested. The excitement may hamper this effort so go to bed early.

First Day:

FIRST THING: This is where the excitement really starts. The objective will vary depending on the season, specific plan, and duration. If not attempting a one-day traverse, the first day’s objective may include making it to a camp just below or at treeline, or establishing an alpine camp, In any case have a good breakfast but don’t go hog wild on the bacon. Also, limit your coffee intake and avoid breakfast drinks.

MEETING AND GOING: Meet time will vary but probably start early at Basecamp. Earlier is possible and the guide may request this, but that will depend on the plan — for single-day efforts, expect to meet well before dawn. Our guides are well trained and often make program tweaks for weather reasons, or whatever. After a quick gear summary and a final check of layers, equipment, food, water, etc., the team caravans to a car spot, or carpools to the Appalachia trailhead (for a N-S tour).

AFTER THE START: After approximately ten to twenty minutes of hiking, the team will generally stop. The reason is to make small layering adjustments, especially needed by the guests who started warm and comfortable in winter at the start. (It’s best to start off cold at the trailhead in winter.)

THE STEADY SLOG: From there the team will continue on to treeline, perhaps taking a break or two along the way, as needed. The break locations and durations are quite variable based on the trip’s duration, length, etc. In other words, if doing a single-day tour, as a simple matter of perspective, you can count on fewer breaks further between.

DAY ONE PEAKS: Once at treeline the team will focus on two summits, primarily: Madison and Adams. If hiking a single-day traverse, all of the other steps which follow will be included with exception to the overnights. A two-day traverse will probably stop at Edmand’s Col for the night, though shortening that or extending it further may also occur. A three day traverse may stop at any point on day one to include treeline, a cabin, a shelter, a tentsite, or hut (depending on the season, etc.).

TRAVERSING THE ALPINE: Regardless of duration, most of the trip will be completely exposed above treeline. Proper layers and gear usage will be critical. Weather can be a big challenge. This trip can also be a navigational challenge in certain conditions. Our guides rely on a combination of map and compass, electronics, and some good old experience and know-how.

OTHER PEAKS: In addition to Mts Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Little Monroe (non-qualifier), Eisenhower, and Pierce, “optional” mountains such as Mts Clay and Franklin may be added as a matter of course. In some cases, Abigail Adams may be added. Of course, the Full and Extended Traverses add mountains, too, of which Jackson is a “4k qualifier” whereas Webster is not.

Added Days:

THE OVERNIGHT(S): If taking on this adventure in one day, this part is moot. You will continue on to the final destination. If doing a two- or three-day traverse, however, the overnights are part of the adventure. The specifics will vary as will the plan but our guides will be prepared to teach and accommodate the needs of our guests. Furthermore, these overnight trips may be strictly an adventure while others may be training oriented. The details will vary greatly as will gear requirements as some overnights will require significant backpacking gear.

DESCENDING AND ENDING: The team will generally descend from the ridge in one go only stopping briefly to delayer and change out gear as needed. The descent usually goes a lot faster, but that can depend. In most cases this will be via Crawford Path for the Classic Traverse. As noted, however, other exit trails exist for the longer traverses. Conversely, there are several bailout trails and routes that may be used if weather or some other reason forces the team down. Upon arriving at the trailhead the second vehicle will need to be collected. The guide may then either collect the gear and part ways then, or request this be done at Basecamp where there is more space. Guest items (a laptop, street shoes, etc.) may be securely stored at Basecamp so may need to be retrieved anyway.

The mountains are calling and I must go —John Muir