A Few Endurance Hikes

June was a dreary, awful, rainy month here in New Hampshire – but fortunately I did not let the weather get the better of my hiking plans. Since moving to my own place about six weeks ago, I’ve become increasingly focused on improving my endurance. Much to my delight, the long hours on the treadmill and outside on the trails finally seem to be paying off. As muddy and wet as this summer has been, I’ve actually been able to pull off several loops/traverses that I’ve had on my mind for quite a while now:

Counterclockwise Pemi Loop and West Bond

Date: June 13th, 2009
Distance: 32.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 9,500 feet
Trails Used: Wilderness, Bondcliff, West Bond Spur, Twinway, Garfield Ridge, Franconia Ridge, Osseo

Kilkenny Ridge Traverse

Date: July 3rd, 2009
Distance: ~25 miles
Elevation Gain: Unknown
Trails Used: Starr King, Kilkenny Ridge

Presidential Traverse

Date: July 5th, 2009
Distance: 21.7 miles
Elevation Gain: ~8,800 feet
Trails Used: Valley Way, Osgood, Star Lake, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff, Webster-Jackson

Wildcats/Carters/Moriah Traverse + Shelburne Moriah

Date: July 12th, 2009
Distance: ~23 miles
Elevation Gain: (Need to calculate)
Trails Used: Wildcat Ridge, Carter-Moriah, Kenduskeag, Rattle River

I hope to attempt another Pemi Loop this weekend (clockwise, and including Galehead this time around). I’m also in the midst of planning a 24 Hour Hut Traverse for late August.

Now, if only the rain would go away…