Hiking the “TERRIFYING” Air Line Trail to Mt Adams | NH48 | White Mountains NH

Hiking the “terrifying” Air Line Trail to Mt Adams for the NH 48 4000 Footers and Terrifying 25 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The most terrifying day hike in New Hampshire? Some solo day hiking fun!
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My solo day hike to Mt Adams in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Mt Adams counts for both the New Hampshire 48 4000 Footer (NH48) and the steeper portion and “knife edge” ridge of the Air Line Trail counts as an elective for The Terrifying 25 (T25) hiking list. The New Hampshire 48 4000 Footer list, created by the Appalachian Mountain Club, consists of 48 mountains in New Hampshire with elevations of at least 4,000 feet and a minimum of 200 feet prominence. The Terrifying 25 list, created by Trish, Alex, and Sage Herr, consists of the most interesting White Mountains trails that have slides, rock scrambles, or boulder caves. This video is part of my series where I attempt to find the best day hikes in New Hampshire. Have I found the most terrifying day hike in New Hampshire? A top day hike in New Hampshire instead? Specifically, Mt Adams is located near Gorham NH in the White Mountain National Forest.
►HIKE INFO
Trails: Valley Way, Airline Trail
Location: Appalachia Trailhead
US-2, Randolph, NH 03593
Hike Completed: 08/28/2021
►HIKING LIST INFO
White Mountain Four Thousand Footers (NH48) - bit.ly/3pEJ1TW
The Terrifying 25 (T25) - bit.ly/3azj6IE
►HIKING LIST PROGRESS
NH48: 6/48
52WAV: 14/52
T25: 12/25
► HIKING GEAR
Hyperlite Junction 2400 Pack - bit.ly/2Fu4E8j
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Hat - Street Market, Cusco, Peru
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►CAMERA GEAR
Sony A6600 camera body - amzn.to/3ssICGh
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0:00 - Intro
0:14 - Appalachia
1:19 - Air Line Trail Start
3:56 - The “TERRIFYING” Steep Ascent
9:01 - The ALPINE ZONE
15:49 - Mt Adams Summit
16:49 - Trail Info and Review
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#AdamHoyt #HoytHikes
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[@AdamHoyt]

Is it fair if I say this one is my favorite one so far just because my name is Adam?? 😂

[@davidsavage4117]

I just subscribed to your videos and I’m LOVING them so far! I’m 22 and recently hiked Mount Manadnock by myself. The sense of accomplishment and enjoyment I got out of that hike has now inspired me to start the 48 4000 footers which is how I stumbled across your page! Your videos are very informative and will help prepare me for my hikes as I start the 4000 footers in the spring!!

[@AdamHoyt]

Well welcome to the lifestyle. Be careful now you just may get addicted like myself and so many others. They do say that Monadnock is the most climbed mountain in the world and a great entry point to the fun of hiking and peak bagging. Now the real adventure would be if you decided to start early and bag one in the snow. That would be an adventure. Think about it. I only did my first ones last year. Doesn't have to be extreme. start at the some of the smallest ones say Tecumseh or Waumbeck. Feel free to check out my winter hike of Waumbeck for inspiration. But hopefully you would have a clearer day than I did! lol

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@AdamHoyt was one of those a bit extreme in Winter and you had to turn back just before the Summit as it was too dangerous at that time to go on? Wise decision too. I think you said something about Summit fever and knowing when it was best to try another day. It was bad if I remember correctly. As for this young gentleman starting out on his 48, good luck!!!

[@bigmarty11288]

Good job young buck, I wish I'd gotten hardcore into hiking by the time I was 22. It's a beautiful and dangerous world out there, exercise caution and recklessness in equal measure.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

You went passed that couple at 11:30 like 'The Flash' then his twin was there at 13:30!!! But the speed which they were walking just goes to show the effort you put into making these vids for us. Thank you Adam. Fantastic views, absolutely amazing. Really appreciate all you do for us going the extra mile, or three.❤👍

[@AdamHoyt]

Glad you noticed. I will admit hiking groups like that frustrate me the most. When I'm filming I'm going slower so people pass me and they need to keep on going! unfortunately we got caught together at the trickier part and it caused their normal hiking pace to match my filming hiking pace and it was a constant back and for all the way from there to the summit haha

[@firnatine67]

I just rewatched this! Heading up Monday with my son to do Adams and Madison. Thanks again for sharing this!

[@granitelilac5641]

Hi Adam what a great video just found your channel. I hiked Mt Adams when I was a teenage girl with my Dad back in the late 1970 s. Thank you so much for sharing beautiful hike !

[@AdamHoyt]

Glad it was able to evoke such fond memories for you! Such a great mountain

[@marcrichardson2381]

I hiked Jefferson first, then took the Gulfside Trail to Adams, then back to Jefferson around and back to the Jefferson parking lot. 11 hours with stops.

[@AdamHoyt]

Dang dude that is quite the full day. Hope it was great weather for you!

[@newmoonmeteorites4430]

Very well made! Very relaxing, nice shots of the beautiful nature around you. Did you know every rock you see is from the moon? Hard to imagine, but true. I got proof on Mt. Major last spring. Can't wait to do some more. I really hope they don't do stupid things, like renaming Loon Mt. with Moon Mt..

[@AdamHoyt]

Never knew that! Wow!

[@hoytfiles8467]

Well filmed as usual. Can’t wait for your next video!

[@AdamHoyt]

Thanks! Coming soon!

[@jeannenimmo5]

Hiked that trail about 25 years ago and it was pretty dramatic when it came to tree;ine. One of the few places where there's a glacial ravine(King Ravine)and an erosion(Snyder Brook)ravine side by side(with a a bit of a 'knife edge' between them). Great hike.

[@AdamHoyt]

Such a dramatic treeline. One of my favorites! I can't wait to explore those two ravines myself. I had no idea they were different types!

[@cathymolina9139]

Wow that was a strenuous hike! I enjoyed it. You were me out that's for sure! Thank you.

[@AdamHoyt]

You bet! Yes it is a bit of a long one but luckily that ridgeline hike makes it all worth it!

[@cathymolina9139]

@@AdamHoyt your the one who makes it all worth while. Gosh I wish you could meet my daughter!

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi Adam. Enjoyed this video, gave us a great look at Mt. Adams and the surrounding areas. I hope to see this one day as I section hike the AT north... God Bless

[@AdamHoyt]

Yes it is a great little area. You'll at least skirt some of the top edges of what I did in this video near the summit on your section. Happy Hiking!

[@UnsettledJourney]

Great video! Thanks for sharing, looks intense but beautiful!

[@AdamHoyt]

Thanks for watching! The views really blew me away. That perfect amount of clouds made things so much more visible and made the haze bluer making it more dream like!

[@melanymcallister8716]

Loving your videos! Gorgeous above treeline!

[@AdamHoyt]

Thanks!

[@jwarren9058]

I just got done with flume slide/liberty today!!

[@AdamHoyt]

SIIIIIIICK! I did flume the other day from a different trail and can't wait to tackle the climb from the slide side!

[@danmorris9899]

My favorite mountain! Nice video, Adam! Airline is many things, but I agree that terrifying isn’t one of them. Anything coming out of King Ravine though - no joke.

[@AdamHoyt]

Totally agree! It made it hard to craft the narrative of the video since I wasn't sure which part to highlight as the terrifying part compared to normal though I do love that hike along the ridgeline. Someday soon I will be coming for that King's Ravine. Maybe my favorite Mountain as well simply because we have the same name! bahaha

[@richardlent6580]

@@AdamHoyt Years ago we did this trail going uo and the King Ravine trail down. It was a spectacularly clear day, could see for 100 miles. The rocks in the valley floor that you climb over or under, added alot to the great scenery of the area. Avery demanding hike all around. Thanks for the vidio and memories.

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Great job Adam! I'm putting that one on my list for next year. I've done 10 of the 48.

[@AdamHoyt]

You should! Dang John look at you! I'm slowly making my way there. I was very pleased with the progress I made this year. At my rate I may complete the list in the next 2 years if other hikes don't distract me first! haha

[@ThatFrigonHiker]

Man, that section above tree line is so much more tame when it isn't a high-wind day! Can't wait to get back up there on a day with less wind and better visibility... I have unfinished business with this mountain 😁

[@AdamHoyt]

For sure! Don't be discouraged! My very first time climbing this mountain I also had to hide behind a Cairn right after tree line due to crazy winds and rain. Eventually deciding in me turning back. Just wasn't worth it. And as you can see when you find a day like the day I did here it makes it that much sweeter!

[@ThatFrigonHiker]

​@@AdamHoyt Thanks for the encouragement -- I'm pumped to save that one for a day when I can see for miles and miles!! Madison was a good one for the no-visibility day when I hit Air Line... the high winds and socked-in whiteness added to the overall drama, and I still at least got to bag one peak while I was up there anyway! 😁 (Got to say, the baked goods from the hut were MORE than worth the climb too...) Definitely looking forward to when conditions are right, so I can get back up there and be floored by those endless views from the top of the Adams rock pile. Loved your video!!

[@ballisticbam_b]

first presidential, you picked the hardest one

[@AdamHoyt]

Lol that might be a matter of opinion!

[@franciscomorin7487]

Fantastic video!! I want to hike with you man.

[@AdamHoyt]

Maybe one day!

[@firnatine67]

Great opening photography!

[@AdamHoyt]

Thank you!

[@kgwash]

Airline is one of faves. Don't know why, it just is. Hiked it twice. Just an aside...is that Zelda music?

[@AdamHoyt]

It is a freaking classic. Yes i tend to use a bit of video game music in my videos these days and its 90% zelda for the hikes 😂

[@abhishes]

absolutely love the quality of this video. your camera captures the colors so well in so much contrast. love the shadows. what camera did you use to record the video?

[@AdamHoyt]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the hike! It was an awesome day to capture that hike. All of my gear is included down in the descriptions of my videos. The camera that I use is the Sony A6600

[@paulfishback8999]

Curious to know which one of the three ascents of Adams is most challenging: 1. Via Valley Way to Madison Springs Hut. 2. Lowe's Path 3. Airline Trail

[@AdamHoyt]

I'm unsure as so far I've only ever done the airline of those three.

[@bruceringrose7539]

Have not done Lowe's Path, but it was formerly a pack mule route so prob not too difficult. Have done both Airline (up) and Valley Way (down) on a VERY windy Fall day. My vote would be Airline. Valley Way is also recommended by AMC as a good "escape" route if weather goes south when you are on the summit.

[@gabersen]

Ahhhhhhgggg! I just hiked Airline yeterday and it was completely in the clouds, taking in the above treeline views vicariously through this AWESOME video! Also I'm not really sure why the trail was terrifying haha

[@AdamHoyt]

haha All of those presidential peaks can be elusive with that weather. The first time I hiked this trail I had to bail right at the tree line due to inclement weather. Guess You'll have to try it again sometime. Take it up with the people who put it on the Terrifying 25 list!

[@Matt-kj5qi]

Adams/Madison are the only presidential peaks I haven't done yet

[@AdamHoyt]

Well let's get pumped Matt! When are you going to tame the beasts???

[@Matt-kj5qi]

@@AdamHoyt sometime soon! Only got a few 4k's left

[@roxannegordon2854]

You get credit for not having LOUD over done twang guitar music that sounds like it's going to implode........but none would be best. I've been on this trail many times and I've never heard a flute when passing that mossy rock. I want to hear the mountain. There's no way I could do those bolder scrambles without my Trek poles. I'd face plant on the first footing. You hike way too fast for me. I'm an old lady so there you go.......

[@AdamHoyt]

OO its always hard to make everyone happy. I always try my best. I'm glad you were able to get some enjoyment out of it. Luckily the mountains will still sound like the mountains in person. Sometimes I even think I hike to fast for myself! Happy Hiking!

[@nickyl9040]

For those of you who advocate the use of trekking poles ; Adam isn't using them and becuase he's not he's standing taller and he's better balanced

[@Simon-gx1wf]

This seems like a day pack, trekking poles arent as useful in this case and basically detrimental on scrambles, but they are a saver on the way down and help a lot on most of the way up, I prefer carrying them in my hands 85% of the time and storing them on my pack when scrambling

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

I think your title may be a little misleading LOL. When I did the airline trail I couldn’t even figure out what made it any different than a normal easy trail

[@AdamHoyt]

Well that’s why it’s in quotes haha. Honestly I don’t find many of the trails actually scary at all. But it’s the name of the list and it’s on the list so it is what it is! Take it up with them to get it removed lol

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

Bro just wait till you get into the mandatory Terrifying 25 of Adams/Jefferson/Madison.. They are a whole Nother ball game and I wouldn’t recommend doing the ones on Adams alone

[@BrianHikesAllDay]

And Washington!!! Ugh lol

[@gottago1052]

Adam the visibility was terrible from geoengineering. It's everywhere across the entire country no more blue sky.

[@AdamHoyt]

Yikes!

[@marcrichardson2381]

One of the disappointments about Adams is there isn't a good place to sit for lunch. 😂

[@AdamHoyt]

hahaha just so many rocks everywhere and no good place to sit!

[@roonm5260]

The scary route is king ravine trail up great gully trail.

[@AdamHoyt]

Yes I’ve done the king ravine but still need to do great gully!

[@cameronp4667]

When are you headed back for Subway and Chemin des Dames???

[@AdamHoyt]

Sometime next year possibly! After the thaw!

[@cameronp4667]

@@AdamHoyt oh god, good luck. Adams is my favorite because of those two. You'll have a blast

[@AdamHoyt]

@@cameronp4667 looking forward to it!

[@nolan5251]

honestly only thought that trail was tough because of the hike out

[@AdamHoyt]

Yes my knees were hating me near the end that's for sure. Oi agree not sure why exactly its on the T25 list. Seems its the most popular trail people take anyways!

[@moosewhisperernewhampshire9932]

About how long was your whole hike time wise?

[@AdamHoyt]

Hard to say since this was two years ago now and I take twice as long when I film it. A normal person probably could knock it out in 5-6 hours. I would say it's basically a full day affair. It's a big mountain!

[@JamesRobertSmith]

I bagged Mount Washington way back in 2007 via the Tuckerman Ravine/Lion Head route. But I have yet to hit the other big summits of the Presidential Range. I'm not sure why that route would be considered terrifying. Beautiful, though!

[@AdamHoyt]

I think I might agree with you on some of those other routes either being more terrifying or at the minimum just as terrifying as this one. But in the end I did not create the list and it is truly only an elective on the list. Feel free to tackle some of the more challenging ones as you see fit!

[@alexkarry]

Amazing place for hiking. Incredible views. Adam, thank you for sharing! Let's be KZbin friends 😊

[@AdamHoyt]

Glad you enjoyed it. Some of the best views!

[@murielmartin6533]

No thanks I do not do rocks😊

[@AdamHoyt]

🤣

[@jeffparker8268]

Real mountains start at 8k ft 😂

[@AdamHoyt]

Lol sure k

[@ericfusco7283]

Imagine gatekeeing mountains?