The Hut-2-Hut Traverse in New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains is a trail running undertaking of immense proportions. Originally devised by the Hut Krews that oversee the eight hiker huts in the Whites, the challenge encourages trekkers to traverse over 50 miles, with 18,000 feet of vertical gain, on highly technical trails, in order to visit each of the huts in under 24 hours.
Why would I endeavor to do such a thing? Since returning from my own gap time in Tanzania decades ago I have been called to regularly challenge my pre-conceived limitations in order to gain better perspective on myself and the world around me. In those decades I have summited many mountains, run countless miles, and paddled endless coastlines. The Hut-2-Hut Traverse intrigues me because it is further than I have ever run before and over a much longer timeline of hours-on-feet--a challenge that I was unsuccessful at completing once before. While I am certainly intimidated by the physical challenge, it is the emotional vulnerability that such a task illicits that gives me pause in embarking on this route again.
And to me, this is the very reason to pursue this journey, as well as the essence of taking a gap year. As Jill Fredston, respected Arctic paddler, said in her book Rowing to Lattitude, "Most often though, people question why we undertake these trips at all. They may as well ask us why we breathe or eat. Our journeys are food for our spirits, clean air for our souls. We don't care if they are firsts or farthests; we don't seek sponsors. They are neither a vacation nor an escape, they are a way of life. . .we do these trips because we need to."
Over three decades I have led, coordinated and advised thousands of young adults in pursuing meaningful gap time. The Hut-2-Hut Traverse is my contribution to the Gap Year Association's Experiential Challenge Fundraiser; an effort that will support countless more young adults in being able to access resources and opportunities to pursue their own gap time. By sponsoring me in pursuing this goal, you support these soon-to-be gappers in pursuing theirs. Thank you for your contribution and wish me luck.
Update July 15, 2024
The Green Mtns, VT--Long Trail
First big 'back-to-back-to back' long run weekend! Despite the brutal heat and humidity bubble in New England putting a real edge to some otherwise easier training blocks, this three day adventure with my trusty pal, Greg, put the vertical and miles on the table that I needed.
Day 1: Stratton Mtn out-and-back
Made the fire tower and summit in record time (for me) but had to race off in a deluge and crashing thunder back to the car. Met some north bound Appalachian Trail hikers and gave them my only tube of Pringles.
DAYS 2 & 3: AT/Long Trail Adventures
Greg met me in the morning on Day 2 and after me saying that he should get what he needed that day so he felt ready for his upcoming race (he took 2nd overall in a 50k in Lake Tahoe!), he absolutely smashed me--running everything that was runnable. Day 3 I 'took advantage' of his fatigue and pushed our pace out-and-back to Bourne Pond. Like in a gap year, companions really help us push the edge of what we can accomplish. Coming off this weekend feeling strong!
