White Mountain Throwdown

The White Mountain Throwdown is a 3-month series where a Strava segment will be created and raced during a given month. Below you'll find the summer 2026 schedule. The rules are simple: complete the segment in the given month and upload to Strava. Awards: Complete all three routes and you get a free pair of RTW socks. Top 10 men & women on each segment will receive gift cards to the shop (prize schedule below).

May 2026: Peaked / Middle Ascent: 3.3mi / 1,725' — View Segment
Our season opener is a classic — the Peaked to Middle Mountain linkup is in the Green Hills Preserve and includes a much appreciated downhill section in the connector over to the Middle Mountain Trail. The segment ends at the top of Middle so make sure to take a second to enjoy the view. This is a busy route so be mindful of other hikers in the area. Park at the Pudding Pond Trailhead.
Awards: Gift cards to the top 10 men and top 10 women ($100, $90, $80, $70, $60, $50, $40, $30, $20, $10).

July 2026: Lafayette via Skookumchuck — View Segment
Skookumchuck was a selfish pick - I had yet to hike this trail a had heard great things from everyone I mentioned it to. It ticks all the boxes - good vert, lush green corridors, stone steps, sweaty rocks, and when you top out on the Garfield Ridge Trail, you will (hopefully) be greeted with stunning views of the Pemi and beyond. Please note: Access is via Rt 141 due to ongoing construction.Awards: Gift cards to the top 10 men and top 10 women ($150, $135, $120, $105, $90, $75, $60, $45, $30, $15).

September 2026: Great Gulf Headwall — Mount Washington — View Segment
This is our first "hanging segment" that starts as you leave Spaulding Pond and start ascending the Great Gulf. It's only 0.75 miles but packs in over 1,600' of climbing. It starts in the alders and works through to the belly of the headwall. It's challenging to navigate (read, hands on scrambling up waterfalls) but if you keep your head up for cairns you can efficiently weave your way to the junction with the Gulfside Trail and enjoy the best views of the northern Presidentials along the way. Suggested loop: Start at Pinkham Notch and take the Old Jackson Road (AT) to the Great Gulf Trail then start working your way up to Spaulding Pond (6.9mi). From the segment, summit and take the TRT all the way back down to Pinkham. Alternatively, starting from the Great Gulf TH, it's 5.75mi to the start of the segment. 
Awards: Gift cards to the top 10 men and top 10 women ($300, $270, $240, $210, $180, $150, $120, $90, $60, $30).