My hiking buddy and I are planning on backpacking the Whites mid-December. We’re flying to Logan Airport in Boston. The best forms of transportation that I could find so far is the Concord Coach bus line or Uber. Any other suggestions?

We are thinking of just taking the AT because it hits a lot of the spots we would love to see. That would be Moosilauke, Franconia Ridge, and Washington. No huts unless it’s required.

With those three waypoints of interest in mind and 9 days in December weather, should we take the AT? Or possibly some shortcuts?

We’ll land in Boston at 1PM on Dec 13th and need to leave from Boston at 8PM on Dec 23rd. That gives us 9 full days of hiking in between.

What kind of weather and temps should we expect? What sort of trail conditions and pace (miles per day) should we assume?

I will have poles, crampons and snowshoes, but do I really also need micro-spikes and an ice axe?

I would really appreciate your advice, thanks.