Michael Scire of Woburn recently completed the Pemigewasset (Pemi) Loop in the New Hampshire White Mountains. The route climbs 8 four thousand footers with 9000 feet of elevation gain and has long stretches of above-treeline travel
On Saturday August 31stat 5:00 AM, Michael left the Lincoln Woods Parking Lot to begin the 31 mile loop hike in New Hampshire’s White Mountains that follows the ridgeline encircling the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The loop is typically completed over a two to three day period, staying at one of the designated Appalachian Mountain club Huts or tent sites. Michael chose to complete the loop counter clockwise, which most experienced hikers feel is more difficult due to the climbing to reach Mount Garfield’s and Mount Lafayette’s summits.
The Pemi-Loop along with a Presidential Traverse are the two most famous hikes in the White Mountains, although there are many other challenging routes here that are just as scenic, but less travelled because they’re more remote.
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After sixteen hours of hiking, Michael arrived back at the Lincoln Woods Parking Lot in complete darkness (the same way he began the day). Scire experienced temperatures in the low to mid fifties and wind speeds of between forty to fifty miles per hour on a number of the summits he hiked through. Prepareness is critical when hiking the higher summits even during the summer months due to rapid change in weather.
Over the past year, Michael has completed the New Hampshire 48 4000 Footers and is now working on the New England 67 list.