Welcome to Unnecessary Climb!
If you’re not actively climbing things, reading about climbing things is an excellent alternative. I’m Jason, an academic nephrologist and outdoor enthusiast. I took up distance running in college, greatly enjoyed the challenge of pushing my physical and mental limits, and built up to completing 3 marathons. Eventually, when minor running injuries began to crop up, I converted to road biking. I soon found that bicycle hillclimb races are rather similar in skill set to running races- they require disciplined training, proper pacing, knowledge of the course, and an affinity for pain! Though I wasn’t close to winning any of these races, my accumulated cardiovascular fitness translated well. During my medical training, I was introduced to the wonders of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I eventually completed all 48 of the New Hampshire 4000-footers, and gravitated towards a variety of long-distance day hikes. As you browse this site, you can learn all about my adventures and misadventures over the years, and hopefully get inspired to get outside and do some unnecessary climbing of your own!
September 2023 update:
Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with a significant hip injury over the last several months, causing a persistent, highly frustrating limp- albeit generally without pain. I was recently diagnosed with a labral tear, and am likely headed to surgery in the very near future. In the meantime, I will attempt to post random hiking and biking routes from my mental archives! Most recent post: Okemo Bike Climb, another race in the BUMPS bicycle hillclimb series.
Content so far:
- “Endurance Hikes”: 33 routes are now included, from the White Mountains, other locations within the Northeast, North Carolina, the Grand Canyon, and the southern California desert.
- Way too much detail about the AMC Hut Traverse
- “Family Hikes”: routes you can select with confidence if you want to have a good time outdoors and avoid terrifying (or reducing the size of) your family. Routes posted: 13.
- “On the Bike”: Vermont Six Gaps, 7 events in the BUMPS hillclimb series
- The “NH 4000-Footers” page is complete, with a summary table and brief overview. 48/48 summits are detailed and ready to view!
- A collection of random safety tips applicable to both three-season and winter hiking. I will probably expand this list as I recall more ways I’ve endangered myself over the years!
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Unnecessary Climb 