The Presidential Traverse - One of the HARDEST Trail Runs in the North East!

[@michaelflett5411]

I just did this with my 20 year old son last week. I am 53, a distance runner and in really good shape. He is also a runner and did this trip with 2 friends last year. We split this up into 2 days and camped at the Perch sites. It can’t stress how hard this is - not really from a cardio sense but because the trail is 90% stepping from rock to rock. It rained in the morning on the second day and it was slippery. I would suggest to not do this alone. If you get hurt - twisted ankle etc..- you are in big trouble. No one will get you and it is impossible to crawl out. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to get stuck and have a thunderstorm roll through and have to hunker down for the night without any gear. This is a fabulous hike but should not be taken lightly. Also, make sure you know the pace of the hiker you go with. Bring a headlamp to get out in the dark.

[@bucky716]

You made that look super easy! I can see this travers in my future after recently visiting the Whites for the first time and an epic hike over Franconia Ridge (and Moosilauke and Osceola and Willard and Mount Pemigewasset). Being up on those ridges is amazing.

[@danlangevin2459]

I've done the traverse a handful of times with work buddies years ago. We'd always shoot for the weekend closest to summer solstice for the most daylight. We weren't trail running. It definitely took us all day but pretty rad to get the whole range in a day. Great views for sure.

[@randalfippinger9448]

Thanks for another fun video. Video suggestion: Make three videos about trail running, beginner, intermediate, and expert. I was super interested in this video when you briefly discussed what is in your pack. It would be interesting to hear your tips for getting deeper into the sport and possibly racing. You can also add gear info, Gu, pack, hydration, watch, etc. I noticed in your videos that they were wearing short sleeves while the folks around you wore jackets. Sure, you were running, and they were hiking, but did you get chills? What jacket did you have in your pack? I am starting trailing with about a dozen 4-6m runs. I I would love to hear more tips about trail running, eg do you not blow out your quads and knees on the downhill? thanks!

[@ian-mucarruthers441]

"get my dad bod after burners on" fantastic. Thanks for the inspirational stuff.

[@KyleWigginton]

Hi Dave, I have been following your channel for a few months now. I joined because of the reviews, but lately I have really enjoyed your real life Hiking style videos. Especially this one! Thanks for vlogging your adventures! -Another dad

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@dutchovenguy]

Me too.

[@SiriusScientist]

Not sure how I missed this video. I have this traverse on my list for next year. I’d love to see planning videos for this kind of trail day. The planning, particularly pickup/drop off, is the hardest part when I don’t have a non-hiker friend with me. Can’t wait for the VT100 vlog!

[@Joe_Souza]

Great pics, Dave, love the white mountains.

[@nilesousa6720]

Thanks for taking us on your journey

[@tgilbs]

That rocky trail looked gnarly!! That looks like an amazing traverse! I aspire to get to that kind of mileage/gain in a day! Great video, cheers!

[@Gabrielerf]

What a beautiful place, I would like to visit it. I am in New York, so is not that far. thanks Dave fo sharing.

[@hugoliria]

Loved the video Dave! Thank you for sharing your little adventure. I wonder if you will ever cross the Atlantic and come to run in the European trails. UTMB is waiting for you

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Maybe someday if I could get in!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Awesome video, awesome views! Thanks for bringing me along!

[@emilrux]

Great video of a great route. It reminds me a lot of some mountains in my country and the neighboring ones. Actually I saw you did it on Strava the day I finished a race alomg a somewhat similar traverse and hoped for a video. Those kind of rocky terrain is somewhat bad for my Hokas, though, the high shoes make angles twist.

[@yazevans]

The Presi is a national treasure and an awesome run!

[@ferencantal708]

This episode was awesome, the mountains, the place where you tried to ran, amazing. Thank you!

[@SeeChadRun]

Great run! Reminds me of my recent "40 for 40" run (video on my channel too). What a great time and amazing place! Love these videos!

[@applepotterhead8732]

Great video, Dave

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Jay-sd9ye]

Cool hike. Nothing like this in orange county. Iv never done anything of a 9hour hike. Looks fun and beautiful.

[@PaulsWanderings]

Mt. Adams was the hardest of the 4,000 footers, for me. You did get a perfect day. The key for me after a hike is clean dry clothes. I stop by the Irving down the road to grab a Coke.

[@XiMaXNL]

You always make it look so easy 😅 Great video, good montage and lovely shots! Keep up the good work!

[@guysherman]

This content is great, way better than gear reviews; keep it up!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joshh9305]

Just did the Franconia notch to Crawford notch in a day. Around 22 miles. That's one steep section from the Galehead hut to the top of South Twin.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

That South Twin climb is always the hardest part when I do the Pemi Loop! Nice work!

[@cutterdevil]

Love the video. I am going to a hike in BC that is higher than all mountains i had hiked in my life. Your video is so encouraging. May I know the model of your hydration vest?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks! It's a Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set.

[@cutterdevil]

@@ChaseTheSummit Thanks for your response. As I am going to hike a unfamiliar territory with my friends (me only, I am new to this area and my friends are locals with experience on this trail), I plan to bring extra water and food in case my body needs them to adapt the new environment. I am thinking should I use a backpack instead of a 12L hydration vest for this trip because I dont think the vest has enough space to pack all stuff. However, you said you bring a lot of stuff including a first aid kit to this trip. May I know how did you pack your stuff in your vest? Thanks.

[@NicolasCaron]

That one has been on my list for the past few years with two buddies but each year something prevented us from doing it. Hopefully 2024! Another similar route I am tempted to try is the "Great Range Traverse" in the Adirondack High Peaks!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

GRT is another good one!

[@blakeharvard7513]

Absolutely love content like this. Keep up the great work. : )

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PlayBetterGO]

We love the blogs! And this seems like an amazing hike but tough

[@MrHepcat34]

That was a nice video. Liked the content. Beautiful views!

[@laoluomisade2438]

Awesome views!!! Would love to do this

[@Iandolij]

This was awesome. Love to see more if this! Did you car spot or use the shuttle? I need to figure out that shuttle system. I did it about 5 years ago in around 9 hours as well.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks! I ended up using a ride service in the area known as “Ride with Rob”. Sort of like an Uber in the mountains. I parked at Highland Center and he drove me to Appalachia to start the traverse so I was basically running back towards my car. I’ve done it this way several times before unfortunately rides cost a lot more these days!

[@WayneCapacillo]

Man, I've wanted to do that traverse before I left New Hampshire! I gotta make a trip now!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It’s 100% worth a trip. Really incredible to have this kind of terrain and views in New Hampshire!

[@tomasbartko]

Beautiful mountain range 🙌 Can I ask what t-shirt did you wear? Looks nice 👍 thanks!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

It's a Lululemon Metal Vent shirt... one of my favorites!

[@tomasbartko]

@@ChaseTheSummit Awesome, thank you so much ☺️ 👍

[@jongbahoyjr]

Nice! I'm kinda interested of what you just did but wondered where to park the car? I don't think I will have the endurance to go back to the start line. Thanks

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I used one of the (very many) shuttle services in the area. They drove me from the finish to the start at 6am so I could effectively run back to my car. It cost me about $100!

[@Dcrainmaker]

100% did not see the Capri Sun coming out at the end...

[@ChaseTheSummit]

If you know, you know.

[@MikeDaubenspeck]

Up next, the Pemi Loop and follow it up with the Hut to Hut!!! Might as well put that VT100 to good use here in the Whites!!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Stay tuned 😬

[@mattm1823]

How did you get back to your car at the other end? I'd love to do this someday. My drive up to the Whites in NH is also about 3 hrs from RI 😢

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I used a taxi service in the area before the hike so I parked at the end, got a ride to the start, and then hiked back to my car. It’s ideal to do it this way so your car is waiting for you. The taxi service was around $40 if I recall correctly but there’s also the free AMC shuttle that runs on a routine basis.

[@brandonm4664]

Super impressive. Having hiked each of these 1 or maybe 2 at a time, doing them all in 1 day is amazing. Assume you had a car spot...walking all the way back to the start wouldn't be fun...

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Haha yes, I left my car at the southern end in the morning and used a shuttle service to get to the northern end. Nice to have the car waiting after a long day!

[@UltraTrailSteven]

Haha dad-bod afterburners 😂 looks like an awesome route

[@earthquakemagoon2505]

A Dad's gotta' do what a Dad's gotta' do! Thanks Dave! Skal!

[@cbgny23]

A winter traverse is on my radar.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Nice! Certainly a lot harder but nice to have the summit of Washington to yourself!

[@karolpiotrowski3511]

Great scenery, a bit "european" for me - being from Europe and it reminds a bit of Carpathians or Welsh mountains. Great work!

[@AmericanEnglishBrent]

I enjoyed watching. I live about two hours from the range.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Beautiful country up there!

[@RMILLSMMA]

Love these video despite never having run a train in my life. Quick question, what percentage are your running and what sort of speed do you average on routes like this? Just curious, keep up the great content, between this sort of stuff and your tech videos your probably my favourite channel. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ChaseTheSummit]

For me this is a “fast hike” because the footing is so tough! There are some sections I run but I’d say I’m “power hiking” or “jogging” for the most part. My best time was 8 hours a couple of years ago. It’s hard to believe the fastest known time on this is just 3 hours and 38 minutes! I can’t even wrap my head around that. Thanks for watching!

[@simonpollock2799]

@@ChaseTheSummit reminds me a lot of racing the Volcanic 25k on Mt. St. Helens! The top of that climb is just a pile of lava rocks.

[@samspinrad454]

9:13 is solid for Presi Traverse.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Thanks! It’s no record but I felt good, and had fun, and I’m not totally wrecked 24 hours later 😂

[@dutchovenguy]

Pierce is a great name. It is my real middle name, but spelled Pearce. I always used it practicing law.

[@marygiurleo6038]

Amazing!

[@mihaylo_kovin]

Nice view!

[@chriscarpunky]

Are you wearing the Garmin 955 or the Epix? Also, curious what your daily strain on your whoop was after that hike. lol

[@ChaseTheSummit]

964 in this video! The whoop strain score was 20.5 which is interesting since I think it tops out at 21?

[@claudiojaramillo5177]

Wow that's insane

[@MartinVarallo]

Great route, looks fun and tough. 9 hours 30K its technical.... Put it on my list. Do you make it a loop ? or got a bus back to your car.? Thanks for sharing.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I used a shuttle service in the morning to get a ride to the other end. Nice to have your car waiting at the end of a long day!

[@MartinVarallo]

@@ChaseTheSummit Yeah I really fancy this, would do the same. Many thanks.

[@gpfraser1]

Great hiking/running video - makes me want to do it in the summer of '24! Would you ever consider using trekking poles, or would that get in your way? I'd hate to injure in the middle of the traverse!

[@ChaseTheSummit]

I used to use poles years ago but always felt they were in the way or stayed on my pack. Haven’t used them in a long time but that’s personal preference!

[@ericsisk1]

Using the 965 or Epix Pro?

[@RhodySeth]

You had a great day for it. My only traverse was in Sept 2017 and I did it in 7h6m. Could I beat that now? Not likely but I would like to give it another go...see how far off the mark I am.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

That's quick! My PR was 8:01 back in 2019. I think I'm still in the same ballpark of fitness now but lost my "mountain legs" and was a lot slower on the downhills this time around. It also didn't help that I kept talking to a camera lol.

[@RhodySeth]

@@ChaseTheSummit haha, that camera can eat up time quick!

[@awesomebrotherhood7698]

I always wanted to trail in the USA, but never could travel to the US

[@nathanreyes1017]

Were you wearing your FR965 this time?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Yup

[@simenmadsen2232]

@ChaseTheSummit which watch are you using in this video? :)

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Forerunner 965 in this one!

[@ShartedKegs]

Man I love New Hampshire….

[@AntoineCharpin]

How do you manage to drive 3h after a 3h drive and 9h run…. Impressive 🎉!!

[@LeeBoris974]

When you said cold beverages, I thought you meant beer, not Capri Sun 😛

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Same diff!

[@hdmedia7404]

You review all the best and pricy smart-Garmin-Coros-Epix-Pro-AppleWatchULTRA and you go hiking hard with a whoop band and a Forerunner 965 ! Real men know ... 👌🏼

[@ChaseTheSummit]

For science!

[@hdmedia7404]

@@ChaseTheSummit 😂 The 965 is your favorite ... Admit it mate 😉

[@ChaseTheSummit]

@@hdmedia7404 it’s great! Though I do wish it had a sapphire lens. Stay tuned for follow up content about the 965!

[@simonpollock2799]

@@ChaseTheSummit +1 for adding sapphire to that watch. If you're gonna give it such a nice display, protect that ish, Garmin!

[@twosteen]

Go New Hampshire-Live Free or Die!

[@forum7148]

Did you skip Jackson?

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Yep, the “standard presidential traverse” doesn’t include Webster or Jackson. It’s Madison, Adam’s, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, and Pierce.

[@arintoaca472]

Omg first! 🎉

[@ChaseTheSummit]

🎉

[@SighManFenix]

Looks like PA trails haha

[@moritzmichaelis6819]

As a Norwegian I'm just laughing at this 😅 what about this trail is "extreme"?

[@moritzmichaelis6819]

My evening Trip with my dad was more exposed and "extreme" than this 💩😅

[@ChaseTheSummit]

For this region these are pretty tough trails and 180+ people have died on these mountains due to weather. I don’t think I ever said the trails themselves were “extreme”. There are certainly more “extreme” trails in the world… but I live here. You’re way cooler than me though… congrats 🎉 maybe you should make some videos so I can see just how amazing you and your dad are 🤡

[@RMILLSMMA]

@@ChaseTheSummitalways stuns me when folks make comments like these ones on others videos. KZbin’s a weird place man, 😵‍💫 keep doing you dude.

[@moritzmichaelis6819]

@@ChaseTheSummit I see! Then I totally misunderstood! I thought ther the nature and terrain was the extreme part of it. But it are the weather conditions? Really love your content by the way! So keep on going 💪❤️

[@frstesiste7670]

I remember this area from the AT and it's pretty rugged terrain, also compared to many areas of Norway.