Nobody warned me that the Whites have zero switchbacks, my knees found out on day 2 | Backpacking Routes

Max Roberts · 2026-10-07T00:05:04.279189+00:00

Honestly I spent months planning my route through the Presidential Range and the mileage looked totally fine on paper, like 11 miles a day with small elevation gains. Then I got up there in July and found out the trails just go straight up the rock, no switchbacks at all, and that 4,000 feet of gain happens in 2 miles. Ngl by the time I hit Mount Madison my quads were toast and I still had to climb Adams and Jefferson that same afternoon. The map app said the whole day was 12 miles and I figured 7 hours max, it took me 11 hours with breaks. Tbh I should have built in a short day after that section instead of pushing straight to the next shelter. Has anyone else planned a route by mileage alone and gotten wrecked by the terrain, or am I the only one who ignored the elevation profile?

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Nobody warned me that the Whites have zero switchbacks, my knees found out on day 2 | Backpacking Routes - The Design Community Hub