The White Mountains Will Eat Your Shoes: Andrew Drummond on the Direttissima

On this episode of The Free Outside Podcast, I’m joined by White Mountains legend and community builder Andrew Drummond to dive deep into the Direttissima—an FKT linking all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks in one unsupported push. Think Nolan’s 14 but with more rocks, more bushwhacks, and significantly more emotional damage. We cover Andrew’s recent sub-5-day effort, the strategic "feathering" of effort in multi-day sufferfests, and why hiking in the Whites feels like the trail is actively trying to kill you. We also talk about the evolution of FKTs, the importance of local knowledge, and why the Beast Coast terrain is no joke. Andrew reflects on building a community through Ski the Whites and Run the Whites, putting on grassroots events, and embracing failure as a necessary—and often hilarious—step in the process. Whether you’re an FKT nerd, an East Coast trail masochist, or just want a glimpse into what makes the White Mountains so special (and spicy), this one’s for you. Presented by: 🥾 Janji – gear for your weird trail dreams 🥤 CS Coffee – caffeine that slaps 🎒 Garage Grown Gear – the little guys with big ultralight energy 🗺️ Mount to Coast – keeping me alive on this AT FKT attempt 👉 Support the show on Patreon 👉 Donate to the Trevor Project – $10 for every mile of the AT during my record attempt. Because being different deserves support. Consider donating to support the trevor project as I attempt this record https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffAT Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Direttissima 02:56 Understanding the Route and Its Challenges 05:55 The Evolution of Speed Records 09:03 Feathering the Route: Strategy and Mindset 12:12 Navigating Physical and Mental Challenges 14:53 The Importance of Community and Local Knowledge 17:56 The Unique Terrain of the White Mountains 20:50 Reflections on Experience and Growth 24:00 The Future of Trail Running in the Northeast 36:15 Embracing the Journey of Outdoor Adventures 39:34 The Allure of the Appalachian Trail 46:18 Navigating Challenges on the Trail 50:32 The Art of Event Planning in the Outdoors 01:01:37 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Failure Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside