Hiking in the White Mountains

The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. They are part of the northern Appalachian Mountains and the most rugged mountains in New England.

Mount Washington

Mount Washington, called Agiocochook by some Native American tribes, is the highest peak in the White Mountains and Northeastern United States at 6,288.2 ft (1,916.6 m) and the most topographically prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River. The mountain is notorious for its erratic weather and has been referred to as having the "World's Worst Weather". On the afternoon of April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded a wind speed of 231 miles per hour (372 km/h) at the summit, the world record from 1934 until 1996. Mount Washington still holds the record for highest measured wind speed not associated with a tornado or tropical cyclone. The mountain is located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, in Coös County, New Hampshire.

Presidential Range

The Presidential Range is named after U.S. presidents and other prominent Americans. The White Mountains also include the Franconia Range, Sandwich Range, Carter-Moriah Range, and Kinsman Range in New Hampshire, and the Mahoosuc Range straddling the border between New Hampshire and Maine.

A Presidential Traverse is strenuous, and if not experienced and prepared, it can be a dangerous trek over the Presidential Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Contained almost entirely in the 750,000-acre (3,000 km) White Mountain National Forest, the Presidential Range is a string of summits in excess of 4,000 feet (1,200 m). To complete the traverse, one must begin at either the northern or southern terminus of the Presidential Range and finish at the opposing end.

4,000 Footers

In all, there are 48 peaks within New Hampshire known as the “Four Thousand Footers”. Those who have climbed all 48 Peaks are eligible to join the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) “Four Thousand Footers” Club.