Hiking in the White Mountains: What Not To Do

We boldly went out, making all these mistakes while hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. All so you don’t have to.

We were officially lost. The clearly defined, leaf-covered trail was now just a thick layer of leaves throughout the forested ridge. We teased each other, sure at first that we were wandering in some bushes just slightly off-trail. But the stream was gone. And we could no longer hear the highway or any of the people who had been on the trail. We started to twirl, looking for bearings.

And that was before my hiking shoes soles split off.

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Miss the Markers and Wander off Trail

It’s easy to get distracted while hiking. Chatter with your companion. Your thoughts. Watching your footing. Struggling for breath. But those colorful marks on the trees are crucial. You should always be able to sight the next one down the way. If you can’t, like on our bushwacking adventure, you’re off-trail.

Stop as soon as you can. Look for bearings and stay alert. Try to go back in the direction you think you came and re-evaluate frequently. Stay calm. One of the worst things you can do in this situation is to try to charge forward or back to quickly reclaim the trail. Bit by bit and listen for any clues (like that stream.)

We found the stream and followed it downhill. We got back to a downhill marker, turned, and then finally noticed the rock crossing we didn’t take before we wandered off the grid.

Leave Your Layers

On this particular October day, we didn’t end up needing coats. Even at the summit, where the cold winds whip harder, we were fine. BUT, despite Bestie’s complaining about carrying her coat, hiking in the White Mountains is no joke. The weather in the Whites can change fast and the Presidential Range is known for dangerous conditions and even death. Don’t chance it. This also means warmer socks and a hat and gloves in the colder months. It’s much better to whine about the extra load than to risk hypothermia.

Forget Water and Snacks

We’re not complete morons. We did have plenty of water (although Bestie’s funny prank pretending we had already finished one of our two bottles only a fraction of the way up was not so hilarious.) What we didn’t have were snacks. We’d had a hearty brunch at Polly’s Pancakes and were just going out for a few hours hike. But Bestie gets hangry and if we had ended up having some problems (like if we really did get lost), we would have been in a bad place. Dumb. Bring snacks. Even for a stroll.

Wear Inappropriate Shoes

We both failed at this. On one hand, Bestie was wearing her best workout sneaks on a muddy, slippery trail. They got her up and down just fine, but those leaves get slick and she did have a few wobbles (and, I’m going to say it, a fall.)

I, on the other hand, packed my trusty hiking shoes that have walked the paths for four continents. They climbed the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, and the trails of Glacier National Park. They wandered the cliffs and Burren of Ireland’s County Clare. They scrambled Australia’s Blue Mountains. And finally, they stood firm while I hauled myself up in the Annapurnas in Nepal.

But, perhaps those 14 years of effort took a toll. Because the soles began peeling off about a fourth of the way up. Far less effective than those silly gym shoes.

Wear appropriate shoes that support your ankles and have sturdy soles that stay attached to the rest of your shoe.

Ignore a Gear Check

As evidenced in the above section, it’s a good idea to check you gear before your head out. I stand by my statement that those shoes were perfectly fine when we started. But the truth is I don’t know because I did not check carefully. Check your clothes, your shoes, your bag, your stuff. Make sure it’s all in order. Partway up a mountain is not the time to mess with that nonsense.

Don’t Bring Basics

We had a backpack with water, layers, phones, a map, and the car keys. We could have used a pocket knife, snacks, a whistle, and some chapstick. At least. The snacks and chapstick are self-evident. The whistle would have come in handy if we couldn’t retrace our steps when lost (a lot of people on the trail would have heard us.) A fellow hiker’s knife came in handy when Bestie put her Macgyver skills, cut an unused cord from the bag, and used it to tie the soles of my shoes to my feet as the toes held on for dear life. Turns out a bit of cord would have come in handy too. This handy first aid kit has it all, even the knife and tools, and will travel with you anywhere.

Underestimate the Ledges

We made it up to the top. Hiking the trails in the White Mountains gives you gorges, waterfalls and valley views. And if you’re lucky you’ll get all 3. With all of that effort, it’s easy to get excited once you peak. And in the Instagram era also easy to get risky for that perfect shot. Hey, those selfie seat discussions are real.

With tired legs and soles flopping, we stayed clear of the edge. We did, however, have a cap roll off the side and a water bottle that tried to follow. Watch yourself, and your stuff, around those ledges. There is no safety net.

The Whites offer a range of novice to expert treks, an hour stroll to an 8-hour slog. They’re beautiful any time of year and dazzling during leaf season. Just don’t underestimate them. Get yourself together, give them the respect they deserve, and conquer that climb.

May the road rise to meet you, travelers, and may your soles always stay with your feet.

(Hot Tip: Fly into Manchester for good flight deals and to avoid Boston’s traffic. Grab a bite at Republic Café and then head north into the Whites! Don’t forget these tips for booking a room and getting a flight.)