From Flume Gorge Visitor Center, the AT goes into the Franconia Ridge and Presidential Ridge in the White Mountains, which is known as one of the most, if not the most, exposed, difficult, and steep terrains of the entire AT. Even experienced thru-hikers significantly slow down to make it through the area, especially when the weather is harsh. It becomes impassable and dangerous, leading to hypothermia and even death<\/a> regardless of how much you accomplished as a hiker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was mindful and careful, remembering the lessons listed above. It’s just hiking, and yet it could turn into something more than I could have imagined. I heard many stories from other hikers about the White Mountains, including brutal wind and wind chill combined with rain. A ranger at the visitor center told me that it was 22 degrees wind chill just the week before I went in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I decided to wait for the storm to pass and spent a night at the Notch Hostel<\/a> after debating in my head whether I should go or wait. I made a wise choice. The hostel was wonderful! On the staircase, I saw the land acknowledgement of the Abenaki people. In the bathroom, many event flyers showcased hikers of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Their system and intention to make the hostel clean and comfortable for all people was excellent. I never sleep well at the hostel, and that’s why I avoid them. The Notch Hostel was exceptional, and I would stay there again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wait was well worth it. For the next 6 days, I had amazing, stable weather enough to get through the White Mountains! It allowed me to reduce my mileage and focus on going off the AT for peak ascents. I heard it was so far the best weather for this season from locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On day 1, I waited till 12:30 pm for the last rain to pass through the mountains and made my way up to Franconia Ridge. It was gorgeous despite how windy it was. Towards the evening, the wind started to calm down, and after Mount Liberty, Little Haystack Mountain, and Mount Lincoln, I reached the top of Mount Lafayette, the tallest peak on the ridge. I exclaimed, “I made it!!” with so much joy. There were three thru-hikers at the peak, and they said, “Yes, you did!! Congratulations!” It was beautiful. The clouds added much depth to the scene and made the world dramatic. I planned to keep following the AT, and I changed my mind at the last minute to make a steep 1,000-foot descent in 1 mile to Greenleaf Hut, one of eight high mountain AMC huts<\/a> offering hikers meals and lodging, for a night so that I could climb back up in the morning for the sunrise. A maximum of 2 thru-hikers a day are given the “work-for-stay” option, which includes floor space for sleeping and a feast on leftovers in exchange for working. Since the Greenleaf Hut is off the AT, I was sure that no other AT thru-hikers would go down for work-to-stay, and I was lucky to be the one and only!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On day 2, I left the hut at 4:40 am in the thick fog! Again! With disappointment and little hope for the sunrise, I began the ascent. I remembered what I learned from mountaineering: I don\u2019t get to decide what I would see. Mother Nature does. White Mountains are serious mountains. It is steep, and the weather is unpredictable, making it one of the most difficult mountains in the world. As I inched my way up to the summit, all I did was pray- if you may, please show me the beauty. I saw two hut guests coming down from the peak. I jokingly said, “How was the sunrise?” The guide shook his head and said nothing, going down to the hut. I made it to the top, and it was windy and foggy. I tucked myself into the leeward side of the peak and started making my breakfast. I could see the blue sky for a second here and there, as the fog moved so fast. Slowly, I saw the sun behind the fog, and all of a sudden, as the veil lifted, the creator showed me the world dramatically. I was out of the fog and saw clouds in the valley in the morning sun. It was surreal! It was similar to gaining the view of mountaineering but without suffering 99% of the time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/img_5840.jpeg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
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