Matthew Gilbertson, Kristen LeGault, Tyler Wellman, James Huang

4:15am – 5:15pm

Appalachia Trailhead to Highland Center

Mts. Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce

21 miles

10,000ft elevation gain

Temperature range: -4F -> 5F

On March 7th, 2015, Matthew, Kristen, Tyler, and I left Boston at midnight and drove up in two cars to Crawford Notch to ditch one car at the Highland Center. The four of us continued on to Gorham, NH to start the presidential traverse at 4:15am.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUWq-zhGZ8Q]

At 5:15pm, 13 hours, 21 miles, and 10,000 feet later, we finished back at the Highland Center, looking forward to $7 all you can eat Chinese buffet back in Gorham. It was not very good.

There is not much to say about my experience, besides that this thing was pretty freaking hard, but damn it will be something I remember for a long time.

This was the crew. Matthew lead the entire way because he had done the presi multiple times. Honestly, without him, there was a good chance we would have given up. Best case scenario, it would have taken us at least an hour or two longer due to getting lost. I brought up the rear since I was the strongest. I was so strong that I consistently was about 100 feet back so I could keep an eye on everyone.

Truth is I was definitely the weakest. They eventually started giving me the fuck you rest, which means the three of them would rest until I caught up and then we were off again. It’s a vicious cycle!

I love this one. It is so beautiful up there.

Good looking group! Halfway done!

Coming off of Washington, Kristen was suffering a little. It was pretty freaking cold!

Some hikers coming up Lion’s Head.

Any moment we could, we would sit down. Felt so good to rest the legs.