dr_wu002
Well-known member
Back in 2004, "the list" (NH48) was still a big thing. And to a lot of people, it still is and if they finish it and they're proud of their accomplishment, I wouldn't take anything away from them. Way back 50 years ago the NH48 (or 46 back then) was a real big thing. Now, I guess there's easier access and maybe in general, hiking has attracted people who are really focused about doing things that the significance of doing "the list" has been replaced by "the grid." Also, people seemed to have figured out that you can actually do the 48 in a few months, weeks or even days, even in winter, so there's a new challenge, especially considering the more obsessive and planned nature of it: juggling 576 things rather than just 48.
A few years back people thought that the 100 Highest or even the 3000'ers would be the next thing and nobody even really talked about The Grid except for a few eccentrics that finished. Now, my guess is you're going to start seeing ~10-20 grid finishers a year, especially considering if you really try you can do it in 3-4 years. I'm thinking that in some ways, it's the new standard.
My feeling on it is I guess the grid is actually pretty cool, especially doing all the 48 in all the months. I like the mountains. I like the various seasons. But I'm not organized enough (nor have the desire to) to avoid having the logistical nightmare of having to do Tecumser or South Carter 11 times in one year to finish up. I'd freak out. I only finished the 48 simply by randomly accumulating peaks. Operating with the same mindset, I wouldn't be able to complete the grid in one lifetime. But kudos to anyone that does it, especially Grid Finisher #11.
-Dr. Wu
A few years back people thought that the 100 Highest or even the 3000'ers would be the next thing and nobody even really talked about The Grid except for a few eccentrics that finished. Now, my guess is you're going to start seeing ~10-20 grid finishers a year, especially considering if you really try you can do it in 3-4 years. I'm thinking that in some ways, it's the new standard.
My feeling on it is I guess the grid is actually pretty cool, especially doing all the 48 in all the months. I like the mountains. I like the various seasons. But I'm not organized enough (nor have the desire to) to avoid having the logistical nightmare of having to do Tecumser or South Carter 11 times in one year to finish up. I'd freak out. I only finished the 48 simply by randomly accumulating peaks. Operating with the same mindset, I wouldn't be able to complete the grid in one lifetime. But kudos to anyone that does it, especially Grid Finisher #11.
-Dr. Wu
