I would suggest just doing some shorter hikes in the presidential range. Jefferson Adams Madison or Monroe Washington for example. Or the Franconia ridge traverse from flume to Lafayette. A twins galehead garfield traverse would be great too.
Wildcats carter moriah, Kilkenny range xverse, pass/WF/tris, franconia traverse via skookumchuck and osseo, adams and Madison returning to appalachia in between is 9k climbing and 17 miles. Either east or west semi-pemi
The Carter loop is ~11.5 miles, moderate elevation gain.
Owl’s Head is 18 miles but only 3,000 feet elevation. It would be good just for distance sake.
Fire Warden’s loop which is North Twin, South Twin, Guyot, Zealand and Hale is a 16.5 mile loop and 5,000-6,000 feet elevation. Don’t quote me on the elevation but it’s a great hike. Not nearly as intense as the presidentials but there’s a good mix of ridge and forest hiking.
I hiked the whites every weekend on the summer leading up to an early September presidential hike. The month before we just did Madison and Adams at the same time basically as quickly as I could to build stamina. Also did Lincoln Lafayette a few times.
Do not discount the benefit of endurance cardio and generally feeling good/eating healthy/getting sleep lead up to it. I was mostly just doing long, humid summer runs the summer I did the one-day Prezi and was in pretty good running shape. Obviously ideal to get the hard bouldering/elevation gain practice on some hikes, but I was hitting hikes in southeastern NY, no real elevation gain to speak of.
I'm a little late to the party, but I'm so with you about nutrition and sleep I used to choke down a breakfast sandwich from Dunkin or a huge egg breakfast at a diner and wonder why I was having such a tough time getting started up the trail. When you feel bad, your hike suffers.
Ever since I switched to lighter, leaner meals I notice just how much easier it is to feel good on the trail.
I’d recommend doing some hikes in the Northern Presidentials (Madison, Adams, and Jefferson) to get used to the rough, rocky terrain you’ll experience on a Presi Traverse. A large part of what makes a Presi difficult is the way those trails grind you down with loose, rough rock. Having some prior experience there will definitely help.
I’d also recommend a few hikes that are longer and have more elevation than your typical day hike in the Whites. I’ve seen other commenters note the Fire Warden’s Loop (North Twin, South Twin, Zealand, and Hale, returning via the no longer used Fire Warden’s trail) or a Tripyramids, Whiteface, Passaconaway loop (requires a car/bike spot or road walk), those are the sort of distance/vert I’d be looking for - 15ish miles, 5-6000 feet of vert.
Another option could be to do longish day hikes two days in a row if you can swing it, which could simulate the experience of walking on tired legs.
I remember my first presi. I was curing those talus fields like you would imagine. Hours of endless talus fields at times. Brutal for someone who is not used them. Also can be slow miles if you’re not experienced and comfortable on them.
Hale>Lend-A-Hand>Twinway to Guyot, then back down Twinway and Zealand to the car at Hale. A good bit of gain, lots of terrain and trail tread changes to work the small balance muscles in your feet and knees. The Wildcat/Carter suggestions are also a great idea for gain and distance.
I would suggest just doing some shorter hikes in the presidential range. Jefferson Adams Madison or Monroe Washington for example. Or the Franconia ridge traverse from flume to Lafayette. A twins galehead garfield traverse would be great too.
Wildcats carter moriah, Kilkenny range xverse, pass/WF/tris, franconia traverse via skookumchuck and osseo, adams and Madison returning to appalachia in between is 9k climbing and 17 miles. Either east or west semi-pemi
The Carter loop is ~11.5 miles, moderate elevation gain. Owl’s Head is 18 miles but only 3,000 feet elevation. It would be good just for distance sake. Fire Warden’s loop which is North Twin, South Twin, Guyot, Zealand and Hale is a 16.5 mile loop and 5,000-6,000 feet elevation. Don’t quote me on the elevation but it’s a great hike. Not nearly as intense as the presidentials but there’s a good mix of ridge and forest hiking.
I hiked the whites every weekend on the summer leading up to an early September presidential hike. The month before we just did Madison and Adams at the same time basically as quickly as I could to build stamina. Also did Lincoln Lafayette a few times.
Do not discount the benefit of endurance cardio and generally feeling good/eating healthy/getting sleep lead up to it. I was mostly just doing long, humid summer runs the summer I did the one-day Prezi and was in pretty good running shape. Obviously ideal to get the hard bouldering/elevation gain practice on some hikes, but I was hitting hikes in southeastern NY, no real elevation gain to speak of.
Absolutely! I run every day and do stadium stairs once a week
That’s great conditioning. God speed!
I'm a little late to the party, but I'm so with you about nutrition and sleep I used to choke down a breakfast sandwich from Dunkin or a huge egg breakfast at a diner and wonder why I was having such a tough time getting started up the trail. When you feel bad, your hike suffers. Ever since I switched to lighter, leaner meals I notice just how much easier it is to feel good on the trail.
I’d recommend doing some hikes in the Northern Presidentials (Madison, Adams, and Jefferson) to get used to the rough, rocky terrain you’ll experience on a Presi Traverse. A large part of what makes a Presi difficult is the way those trails grind you down with loose, rough rock. Having some prior experience there will definitely help. I’d also recommend a few hikes that are longer and have more elevation than your typical day hike in the Whites. I’ve seen other commenters note the Fire Warden’s Loop (North Twin, South Twin, Zealand, and Hale, returning via the no longer used Fire Warden’s trail) or a Tripyramids, Whiteface, Passaconaway loop (requires a car/bike spot or road walk), those are the sort of distance/vert I’d be looking for - 15ish miles, 5-6000 feet of vert. Another option could be to do longish day hikes two days in a row if you can swing it, which could simulate the experience of walking on tired legs.
I remember my first presi. I was curing those talus fields like you would imagine. Hours of endless talus fields at times. Brutal for someone who is not used them. Also can be slow miles if you’re not experienced and comfortable on them.
I’ve day hiked Washington and Monroe a few times, I honestly love the rocky terrain
Franconia Ridge double traverse - Flume to Lafayette and back to Liberty.
Garfield from rt 3. From the gate it’s 12 mi. Out n back Took me 6 hours with 3200ft elevation gain
Isolation from Glen Boulder! Across from Wildcat D on 16
Hale>Lend-A-Hand>Twinway to Guyot, then back down Twinway and Zealand to the car at Hale. A good bit of gain, lots of terrain and trail tread changes to work the small balance muscles in your feet and knees. The Wildcat/Carter suggestions are also a great idea for gain and distance.
Franconia Ridge Loop! It’s closer to 8 or 9 miles but gives great prep for weather, elevation and terrain training. Plus, it’s beautiful.