Thinking back to my hike of the Smokies last March and planning my upcoming thru-hike this february, i was wondering in your opinions, what are some of the worst climbs on the trail? (longest, steepest, etc…)
My vote so far has to be the climb up Shuckstack from Fontana Dam. Dang near 4000 feet of elevation gain in a fuzz over 3 miles. My lungs and legs cried for mama.
If you have a “favorite”, please bring it to the forum!
Benny the Bull
Fontana to Shuckstack is only 2310 feet in elevation gain over 4 miles. I guess you ain’t hiked any of Maine yet.
Wolf
The part north of Mt. Madison where the AT is continuous with the Osgood trail was the steepest I’ve seen. I was going north and so I only had to go down that part of Madison. I would imagine SOBOS climbing up that part having some trouble.
Demon Deac
Southern Maine has the steepest terrain in my memory. I wouldn’t call them the “worst”, however, because I find long climbs quite enjoyable. Like many others on this site, I seek them out.
I also recall a big climb out of NOC to Cheoah (sp?) Bald. The view at the top was a nice reward. My all time fav is going up Tray Mt. in GA, although it’s a bit hyped up on the trail. I just love the rocky top.
take care :boy
THA WOOKIE
Katahdin?
No besides that, the northbound descent into Port Clinton was short and incredibly steep. The long climb outta the NOC can be a butt kicker. Smarts Mountain seemed to go on forever in NH. Evil little Mt. Quimby in Vermont past the maine junction was particularly steep and never ending. Of course there is always the vote for the Mahoosuc Arm as well…
A-Train
I haven’t done 'em all yet, and I’m mostly southbounding. So far, my least favorite was Mount Garfield, NH. :smokin
Harry Dolphin
In my opinion, elevation gain, altitude or weather conditions are irelevant. The worst climb is always the first climb out of town after a zero day.
Having said that, the climb from Yosemite Valley to Sunrise high sierra camp was one of the toughest (4000 ft at valley floor to 10,000 ft over about 8 miles). That’s when we found out why most people start at Tuolomne Meadows. :eek:
Ross - London,England
Was Shuckstack steep?
I only got as far as Franconia Notch this year, but my knees were pissed off at the trail coming down Mt. Mooselauke.
bearbait
A few favorites come to mind:
South Kinsman in the White Mountains
Mahoosuc Arm in Maine
Mt. Moosilauke from the south
Oh, and then then there’s one small peak at the end
called Katahdin.
Baltimore Jack
Benny. It all depends on the time of day, time of year, the weather, the weight on your back, you physical condition and your state of mind. That climb out of Amicalola was steep, but I my vote goes to the climb out of Nantahala River (1723) to Cheoah Bald (5062) in 8 miles. I learned my biggest lesson that day. Halfway up a group of hikers were descending and I asked if it was as bad up ahead as it had been coming up. The reply was “It is if you want it to be.” It changed my attitude, but it was still one tough climb.
Bilko
NOC to Fontana Dam
Pond Flats
Port Clinton (NOBO descent)
Mahoosuc Arm and the rest of the Mahoosuc Mountain
The toughest one was Sassafrass Mtn in Georgia.
Ganj
I gotta go for Southern Maine. Can’t recall
the names of the Mtns. but damn those suckers
were up there, you could look straight up
at someone, like a ladder. As for longest
climb, no doubt, Cheoah Bald. Love it all
though.
-Snack:pimp
Snack Attack
The Hunt trail in Baxter State Park is supposed to be the most elevation gain in the shortest distance on the trail.
Runners up include:
Beaver Brook trail on the north side of Moosilauke to Kinsman Notch,
In fact, going into or out of just about any notch in New Hampshire or Maine qualifies as a strenous section of the trail.
Looking down the mountain sides in the deep south, I’m glad the AT uses switchbacks rather than straight up and down.
Peaks
now that I think of it, the climb out of Pinkham Notch was pretty hellacious going up to Wildcat. That entire stretch between Pinkham and Mt Moriah is steep ups and downs
A-Train
Athough not the longest I would vote the southbound climb out of Port Clinton the steepest climb on the AT. I was fortunate as I was northbound, but I kept looking back and thinking it was the steepest section on the AT and how glad I was that I didn’t have to climb it.
Downunda
I vote for southern Maine and Mahoosuc,
Am I the only one who felt better climbing out of towns after a zero than I did limping in after several days in the woods? I swear, even with a full pack, I felt better leaving town even on steep climbs than I did going in.:eek:
Skeemer
Curious. That’s two votes for the approach south of Port Clinton. I southbounded that section, and didn’t find it that bad, or any worse that any other gap in Pennsylvania. Southbounding Moosilaukee was not easy, nor northbounding South Kinsman. It sounds like I’ll have a few more to add to the list when I NOBO the Presidentials next year.:pimp
Harry Dolphin
How about Mt Everett (or should I say Mt Everest) near S Egremont ?? Oh yeah and I would rate Speck Mountain right up there with the steepies.
Footslogger
Have to go with A-Train on this one. The climb out of Pinkham Notch and generally the stretch from there almost to Gorham, second would be southern maine
Undetermined