Hiking THRU the White Mountains & the TRUTH of what its like | Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Series

[@rolandpinette9946]

Greetings from the Whites. I appreciate your perspective on this oft-maligned section of the AT. Hopefully it clears up some misconceptions about the AMC, which I believe are perpetuated by those who don't take the time to learn or understand how this organization works and why they exist, as you did. We should add that AMC huts/campsites are located on federal land and operate under Special Use Permits which place a boatload of conservation restrictions on the AMC. After four months of backpacking, some thru-hikers become a bit self-entitled and don't like restrictions on where they can camp and crap. Nor do they understand why the small fee they pay for the campsites helps protect the fragile, alpine environment. I can only hope that your video helps educate the upcoming class and helps them enjoy what you have described as the best and most challenging section of the Appalachian Trail. Thank you.

[@marklitz2438]

There was some white blazes just few and far between maybe the rules only apply to this State … Maine done amazing at marking the trail !!! Just saying !!!

[@PaulsWanderings]

I was watching one thru hiker's hike across Franconia Ridge and he called day hikers butt sniffers. I promptly stopped watching his video. I am sick of the entitled attitude of some thru hikers. I grew up in the Whites and understand the importance of the AMC, I guess it helps that I am a member of the club.

[@marcohanig176]

I hope it's only a small minority of the thru-hiker community that resents paying fees. I hike regularly in the Whites (both day hikes and backpacking) and I am so so grateful to the AMC for all they do. I GLADLY pay the various fees and annual dues...plus leave a big tip!!! It seems only fair and the least I can do!

[@PaulsWanderings]

As someone that has lived in NH pretty much my whole life and hike in the White Mountain National Forest year round, I know how important the AMC is and I am pretty sick of hearing entitled through hikers that don't want to pay for camping at shelters and platforms. If you don't like paying, go find a stealth site. There is nothing that says you have to stay at a shelter or hut. Those AMC caretakers also help with search and rescue.

[@DanielleLovesMakeup]

Doing my first backpack overnight in The Whites next month!

[@taratreks]

wow! where in the Whites? they are magical.

[@DanielleLovesMakeup]

@@taratreks not certain yet but scouting places this week. I’ve always been to The Whites, been to the top but never backpacked & stayed over night. I’m super excited! Thank you for your video. P.s. I was told to check out Lincoln Woods Trail. Any suggestions?

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Thanks Tara that's a helpful video!

[@lightwalker4558]

While section hiking thru in 2019 I stayed at several huts so I could slack pack often. At 60 I can't imagine lugging a 30+ lb pack up and down those mountains. IMO Hawk has a nice system. 2 hard days on with 1 zero or nero in between.

[@LetsMakeADayOfIt]

Hey! very nice video and great channel! Thanks for sharing :)

[@Hikingwith_Christina]

How many spots did you camp at? The cost you spent? Planning a thru-hike in 2023. Thank you for the info.

[@taratreks]

So so many spots I camped. Around 100 campsites. My husband and I spent around 8000

[@teachhikerepeat4622]

The "Appalachian Money Club" as locals sometimes call them. Though funny, it's perhaps an unfair nickname. They do a great job and hold to their rules. We actually need them, considering how increasingly overrun these mountains are. If you ever get a chance to see a Hut Croo member lugging supplies up to one of the higher huts on one of those antique frame packs...man, do they earn their money. wow.

[@PaulsWanderings]

When I see a croo member on the trail, I make room for them as they are usually flying.

[@marklitz2438]

The AMC does a crappy job at marking the trail !!! That goes for most of New Hampshire ! But AMC needs to follow up on why the trail is not marked !!!

[@rolandpinette9946]

You're likely referring to sections of the trail located in a federally designated Wilderness which come with stringent restrictions on blazing, signage, use of power tools for trail maintenance, etc. Local trail maintenance clubs must comply with these Wilderness restrictions.

[@BearTrekAdventures]

@@rolandpinette9946 Nicely put 👍. So many people don’t know and understand these restrictions.

[@PaulsWanderings]

@@BearTrekAdventures I mentioned to one through hiker that scoffed at the $10 fee to stay at a tent platform. Explained that she is staying on Federal land that comes with a lot of rules and regulations for the upkeep of the sites and that the caretakes at the sites are paid by those fees and the caretakers also to trail maintenance.

[@rogerlevasseur397]

@@rolandpinette9946 Other than it's short transit thru Great Gulf Wilderness, the AT skirts the edges of the Pemi, Dry River, and Wild River Wildernesses - in many places the wilderness boundary is 66 feet from the trail. To me hiking in the Whites, by comparison the AT feels much better blazed on the sections that I've hiked, versus all the other trails that I've taken in the Whites while working on the NH48 and 52WAV lists.