getting on AT in the Whites...HELP

[josephbonney]

Hi I plan on getting on the AT very soon and plan to begin my journey in the white mountains. I'm coming from the north and am having a friend drop me off in New Hampshire. Can anyone give me a good spot to get on the trail somewhere in the white mountains? (town name or directions would be great) Also, is anyone familiar with the amount of time required to hike the white mountains, and the amount of food one should be prepared to bring? Are there ample opportunities to resupply while in the whites? I can't seem to find this information anywhere.

[Just a Hiker]

There are alot of resources right here that will answer many of your questions regarding resupply and such. Where you get dropped off by your friend will depend on whether you want to hike southbound or northbound. For convenience sake, I would suggest going southbound if you are coming from Maine.....your friend can drop you off on the trail near Gorham, NH on route 2, and then maybe your friend can pick you up in glencliff, NH when you are finished. Just a suggestion.....have a great hike!

[Blissful]

The Whites are very difficult terrain to begin a hike, but also very beautiful. It really depends on your physical condition, how much you are able to hike and how fast you can go. If I were you I'd simply get on where the trail crosses near Gorham and head southbound. Resupply options are at Pinkham Notch via the AMC center (very limited, might want to have a mail drop), Crawford Notch at the campstore down the road and Franconia Notch at North Woodstock. You can also buy lunch type foods at the huts like soup, leftover bread, pancakes, etc

[Hikerhead]

You might want to check this out. Two of the huts have already shut down.

http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/whit...ason-dates.cfm

[Chaco Taco]

Hi I plan on getting on the AT very soon and plan to begin my journey in the white mountains. I'm coming from the north and am having a friend drop me off in New Hampshire. Can anyone give me a good spot to get on the trail somewhere in the white mountains? (town name or directions would be great) Also, is anyone familiar with the amount of time required to hike the white mountains, and the amount of food one should be prepared to bring? Are there ample opportunities to resupply while in the whites? I can't seem to find this information anywhere.

How long you going to be out? As Blissful pointed out, the terrain is pretty rugged and there has already been snow above 2500 feet.

How far are you going to go?

[josephbonney]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'll definitely be heading southbound, and I don't plan on stopping once I'm through the whites. I'll be travelling solo and am in good shape. If I get on the trail at Gorham, how many days hike is it to the next good spot to resupply (i noticed one of you said Pinkham notch has pretty slim pickings.) I'd rather pack more food and wait to get off in a town where I can find decent food and hopefully fuel. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks

[josephbonney]

I don't have a set time to be on the trail, I just want to get started ASAP (hoping to beat the weather) and head south. I just want to hike as far south as I can. See how far I can make it. I hadn't heard there'd been snow yet. I'd hate to bypass the Whites but maybe I'll have to get dropped off further south if the weather won't cooperate. Any thoughts?

[Chaco Taco]

I don't have a set time to be on the trail, I just want to get started ASAP (hoping to beat the weather) and head south. I just want to hike as far south as I can. See how far I can make it. I hadn't heard there'd been snow yet. I'd hate to bypass the Whites but maybe I'll have to get dropped off further south if the weather won't cooperate. Any thoughts?

It warm here now and the extended forecast is for it to continue to stay warm. You can get to Lincoln/ North Woodstock pretty easily. Id try and get a guidebook to answer your resupply question. Just so you know, most SOBO's start in Maine in June or July, just something to think about.
Mt Washington 9-17-2011IMG_3011.jpg

[Chaco Taco]

Good Luck with planning. Also meant to tell you that you will want to check in with Hut Closures especially in the Presidentials. The campsites will still be open but alot of the Huts are preping to close very soon if they havent already.

[Blissful]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'll definitely be heading southbound, and I don't plan on stopping once I'm through the whites. I'll be travelling solo and am in good shape. If I get on the trail at Gorham, how many days hike is it to the next good spot to resupply (i noticed one of you said Pinkham notch has pretty slim pickings.) I'd rather pack more food and wait to get off in a town where I can find decent food and hopefully fuel. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks

Well the absolute best spot is all the way to Franconia Notch with grocery stores in North Woodstock and Lincoln. Not sure I'd want to lug that much food there. Esp up Mt Madison, ugh. Id still plan to do a little resupply at Pinkam Notch - I mean you're right there. You can call and ask what they have or just mail a small box (just have ID). No big deal.

For me from Gorham to Franconia took around six days. I think I had a low mile day though when a trial angel took me in.

[Blissful]

It warm here now and the extended forecast is for it to continue to stay warm. You can get to Lincoln/ North Woodstock pretty easily. Id try and get a guidebook to answer your resupply question. Just so you know, most SOBO's start in Maine in June or July, just something to think about.
Mt Washington 9-17-2011IMG_3011.jpg

Wow nice picture. Love that place but it is tough stuff.

[josephbonney]

Ok, so it looks like I'll pick the trail up in Gorham. With luck the weather will cooperate. I have one more question for you guys. Do any of you live around the Gorham area where I'll be getting on. I've tried in vain to find a good guidebook around where I am (Rockland, Maine) and it's the last piece of gear that I think I actually need. If I can I'd like to pick one up before I get on the trail. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[hikerboy57]

You can probably pick one up in gorham, there is an outfitter in town. you can definitely pick one up at Pinkham notch.Or you can join aldha and download a companion:http://www.aldha.org/.

[peakbagger]

The AMC Pinkham Notch facility on RT 16 is the best place to get guides and maps. The AT does not leave Gorham, its goes around it. Most folks will head south from Rt 2 in Shelburne at the AT trailhead. Alternatively, you can catch the carter Moriah trail at the end of Bangor Street in Gorham (First left as you drive into Gorham from Shelburne).

As for resupply, you will have to hitch a few miles (which burns up time) to get to a real store for all of the whites. Pinkham may have some basic items mostly tourist food but really its only suitable to stretch a hikers supply for possibly a day or so. The first major store south of Gorham right on (or close nearby) the trail is the Hanover Co-op. Many folks carry enough food to get to Franconia notch and then hitch into Lincoln to the Price Chopper for resupply.

Given the potential weather changes this time of the year, make sure you know your bail out points. Generally for much of the hike through the whites southbound, if in doubt hike down to civilization by taking a right, for much of the route, taking a left drops you into more remote backcountry which can take longer to get out.

[grgs]

It is not that far of a drive from gorham to pinkham notch. I would drive over and do a food drop at the visitors center.

[Chaco Taco]

Ok, so it looks like I'll pick the trail up in Gorham. With luck the weather will cooperate. I have one more question for you guys. Do any of you live around the Gorham area where I'll be getting on. I've tried in vain to find a good guidebook around where I am (Rockland, Maine) and it's the last piece of gear that I think I actually need. If I can I'd like to pick one up before I get on the trail. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I have a couple of older versions if you want me to mail you one. If not, try and get to Portland and the EMS there. Its not far from you.

[Chaco Taco]

Wow nice picture. Love that place but it is tough stuff.

Yep it was cold. Took it from the top Guyot

[Chaco Taco]

also on the other side of Mt Washington there is the Lake of the clouds hut. it is actually closed now, but around back there is a dungeon that you can sleep in. It stays unlocked, AS FAR AS I KNOW, in the winter because so many peopel try to climb Washington in winter.

[peakbagger]

The dungeon at Lakes is for emergency use only and is normally postedthat way. There is some enforcement of the rule on occasion. It normally reaks of urine and is definitely not a pleasant place to spend a night.

[mudhead]

Ok, so it looks like I'll pick the trail up in Gorham. With luck the weather will cooperate. I have one more question for you guys. Do any of you live around the Gorham area where I'll be getting on. I've tried in vain to find a good guidebook around where I am (Rockland, Maine) and it's the last piece of gear that I think I actually need. If I can I'd like to pick one up before I get on the trail. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Maine Sport doesn't have one? Epic Sports in BGR. EMS Portland. LLBean. Amazon. blah blah.