White Mountain Direttissima
Jul 17, 2025
Last week, I completed one of the most challenging and personal projects of my life: an unsupported linkup of all 48 New Hampshire 4,000-footers known as the White Mountain Direttissima. The route covered 231 miles and nearly 86,000 feet of climbing, and I finished in 4 days, 22 hours, and 43 minutes — over a full day faster than my 2016 attempt.
It wasn’t easy. I dealt with rain storms, sleep deprivation, trashed feet, and the constant pressure of needing to keep moving. But it was also beautiful and throws you in a spin cycle of the White Mountains, funneling you through remarkable terrain.
This wasn’t just a physical effort — it was a logistical, mental, and emotional challenge. And it reminded me why I choose to live in the Whites. These mountains have shaped who I am, and this route — though niche and wildly demanding — felt like the perfect way to celebrate the last 10 years of my life.
