alison young | alison young • blissful hiker

Appalachian Trail: Gorham to Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire

The Wildcats are considered some of the hardest hiking in New Hampshire with sketchy rock climbs.

The short section that straddles Maine and New Hampshire is considered one of the hardest with bouldering and dangerously steep descents.

It’s incredibly steep up and down on rock with a glorious reward of open balds above treeline.

The trail hits dangerous rotting boards over deep bogs plus an alpine climb of Beamis and Old Blue Mountains.

Two 4,000-footers– Spaulding and Saddleback Mountains – are on trail as well as a 3-mile alpine exposure.

The Crockers are two of the easiest 4,000 footers in Maine with one side gradually ascending, the other, a steep boulder field.

The Bigelow Range is a classic ridge walk with huge elevation, plus gorgeous lakes and ponds.

I’m back in Maine and ready to start where I left off, considering how to measure the rewards from my engagement as a changed person.

Try this delicious kale chip recipe packed with calcium to keep bones strong.

After a tough four months managing a cancer diagnosis and healing from surgery, I’ll return to the trail.