The White Mountains have a special talent for making strong hikers question their life choices, and their mileage math. In this episode, I’m joined by Eli Burakian and Justin Chapman, the brains behind Northeast Trail Adventures, to break down what makes the Northeast so rugged, so beloved, and so different from anywhere else.

Sign up for the retreat: https://northeasttrailadventures.com/

We dig into Moosilauke as the first true alpine-style summit for northbound AT hikers, the old-school trail design philosophy (straight up, minimal mercy), and the culture shift where vert matters more than pace. Then we get into the wild story of the Mount Ascutney Vertical Backyard, a last-person-standing race that went a jaw-dropping 90 hours, and somehow turned race directing into an ultra of its own.

After that, we talk about something more important than suffering, community. I’m officially joining Northeast Trail Adventures as a leader for their White Mountains running and hiking retreat (June 5 weekend at Hub North), a low-pressure, all-abilities weekend built around moving efficiently in the mountains, learning from experienced leaders, and hanging out like normal humans at night with meals, stories, and whatever game ends friendships.

If you want an entry point to the Whites that’s fun, supportive, and not gatekeep-y, this is it. Retreat spots are limited, and Free Outside listeners can use FREE OUTSIDE for $100 off.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Northeast Hiking Experience

06:41 Personal Connections to the White Mountains

11:48 Launching Northeast Trail Adventures

21:45 The Unique Vertical Backyard Race

32:26 Reflections on the Race and Future Plans

34:03 Community Building in the Whites

39:18 Retreat Structure and Activities

55:43 Inspiring Stories and Personal Experiences

01:04:35 Future Events and Opportunities

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