LT north of Brandon Gap

imported
#1

How hard is the Northern portion of the LT? I’ve section hiked the NH and ME portions of the AT, so that might be a good point of reference for people who’ve been there and done the LT. How does the Northern portion of the AT compare to the more rugged sections of the Maine and NH AT?

I haven’t done the LT beyond a day hike on the Southern portion, but am planning a thru-hike in July/August.

pedxingh

#2

oops - that was me, I just dropped in an extra “h”

pedxing

#3

If you have done the AT in Western Maine, and the Whites, then I’d say that the Long Trail north of Brandon Gap is probably comparable in difficulty. Just a lot less traveled than the AT.

If you want an indication, the Long Trail Guide gives hiking times between shelters. It uses the same formula at the AMC White Mountain Guide.

Peaks

#4

If you hike South to North you should be in good enough condition to go through the Northern section with no problem.I thought the section through Breadloaf Wilderness a little wearing but nothing extreme.Climbing Camels Hump and Mt Mansfield with full pack are a good days work out.Good luck,Great Trail.

OLD & IN THE WAY

#5

if what peaks said is true about the time it takes to get to a shelter. I would not lisen to that i was not in geart shape for my section hike but i was always at the huts before lunch and it said it would take 9 hours so in my opin the time it takes it not true. that is my two cents.

luke kaim

#6

The AMC and GMC use the same formula in their guide books for calculating hiking times. Obviously, your pace may vary. There are several factors, including what shape you are in, and how much weight you are carrying.

Peaks

#7

That’s helpful Peaks - it makes it easy for me to translate AMC times to GMC times on the assumtpion that my time relative to book time would be very similar (other things, like pack weight, being equal).

pedxing

#8

I think the northern portion of the LT (north of The Inn at Long Trail) is comparable to the southern half of the Maine AT in terms of both topography and hiking speed. Use your experience on that section of the AT as your guide and you shouldn’t encounter any surprises.

Happy Trails.

– BookBurner www.enlightenedthruhiker.com

BookBurner