The Scary Reason This New Hampshire Hike Is So Dangerous
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
The Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire is one of the most dangerous hikes in the country. The 20.4-mile trek goes into the White Mountains, where the weather is unpredictable.
The path takes you along several presidentially-named mountains, including Mt. Washington, which set a world record in 1934 when a 231-mph wind was recorded at the peak.
The Mount Washington Avalanche Center warns that the weather is notoriously bad on the range. Approximately 150 people have died on the mountain.
The temperature fluctuates frequently, and as the agency explains on its website. "Wind-blown snow can pile up to depths of 10 to 40 feet in the east-facing ravines."
Even in the warmer months, freezing rain and fog plague the area, and there are typically over 100 days per year with winds over 74 mph. The hike is not for the faint of heart.
The terrain also affects the difficulty, as at least half of the trail is rocky. Wild Land Trekking denotes the trail as "significantly rugged" with a Level 4 terrain rating.