Mouth of the River

 As Hannah Bogle (‘28) put one foot in front of the other for her 18-mile hike through the woods, she knew it was going to be a mentally and physically demanding experience. But to complete her list, she knew she had to keep going.  

Motivated, inspired, and ambitious. Those are the three words that would best describe Bogle, who decided to begin hiking the 48 4000-foot mountains in New Hampshire two years ago after conquering one of her first big mountains with her dad. Although this alone is something that most people would consider a great achievement, Bogle decided to add another layer of importance to her endeavor. As Bogle was checking off mountain after mountain, she decided to take the experiences she was having and remember them for when college application time comes around.  

 After Bogle hiked Mount Chocorua, which is not a 4000-footer, with her dad in 2023, she decided that hiking and the outdoors was a passion of hers. After receiving a handbook of the NH48 not much later, she set her goal of hiking the NH48.  

Bogle’s first three of the NH48 were Mount Tom, Mount Galehead and Mount Field. After that, she was all in. Bogle says, “I’m kind of the person who likes to set goals, and then I feel really motivated to achieve them.”  

Bogle has been hiking her whole life. She is an outdoorsy person to say the least. Bogle takes on tasks and roles in the community that she feels driven to work hard for, such as her class’s student government. Although the potential for a strong college application did occur to Bogle, this was not her only motivation to do the NH48. Writing about her experiences in the mountains gives any college admissions officer a look into some of Bogle’s values, she says, “I chose to take on this endeavor because I love being outside, I’m motivated by doing hard things and getting stronger, I’ve found that my happy place is in the mountains and that I connect with people who do similar things.” 

Hiking the NH48 is a physically demanding goal, one that can really put your body to the test. Not everybody finds it worth it to push yourself that hard to get to the top of a mountain, but Bogle says, “I love feeling the success of building strength, so I think that was a really big part for me.” 

Bogle has not been alone on these physical inclines though. Her dad, Scott Bogle, has been supporting her on each mountain by being her hiking partner. Bogle’s dad grew up hiking with his parents and has done about half of the NH48s on his own. He has had the opportunity to hike in many regions of the world and is excited to be taking on the challenge with his daughter, simultaneously being able to complete the list he started as a kid. Bogle’s dad says, “Hannah decided the summer before starting high school that she wanted to do the 4,000 footers and asked if I’d do them with her. I loved the idea of taking that on together, whether just the two of us or with other family and friends.” 

 Hiking 48 4000-foot mountains comes with its uphill battles. Bogle took on Mount Cannon late August this year and says it has been one of her most challenging hikes yet. At one point during Bogle’s supposed ridge hike, she looked up, surprised to see the next portion of the hike was solely a vertical rockslide. But Bogle didn’t let that stop her, she says, “it was very intimidating to start with, but we just kept going knowing we were going to have to do this if we wanted to reach the top.”  

 Along with the physical benefits that hiking provides, Bogle mentions the social part of hiking and the community that is formed between hikers like herself. “[The hiking community] is just so kind, they’re really into hearing your stories.” 

 At an age where your whole life often seems to be reflecting what you will do after high school, Bogle’s dual motivation for completing this challenge was an all-around win for her. Experiencing the uniqueness of New Hampshire mountains will surely give her a good start on a college application, but the life-changing experience of hiking the notorious NH48 is the important part. An unforgettable experience and endeavor for a father daughter duo, and Bogle’s dad says it best. “Being above the tree line is a happy place for her.”  

Bogle’s 10th mountain she plans on conquering is Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch.  

– Bel Ejarque