The Notch Hostel

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Affordable shared and private rooms just one mile off Exit 32 (Lincoln/North Woodstock/Kancamagus Hw
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Whether you’re hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, or kayaking, make the Notch Hostel your White Mountains basecamp.

10/15/2026

The Notch hoodie pull-over is here!!! Check out all the new Notchwear that just dropped—-now available on our website.

Whether you’re representing The Notch on your next adventure or just keeping cozy at home, we’ve got something for you.

Here’s what’s new:

Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt: Black, Plum, and Alpine Green

Sport-Tek Tee: Black and Orange

Sport-Tek Racerback Tank: Coral

Ready to get your new Notch hoodie?!

Head over to our website, check out the latest options, and grab your new favorites!

And thank you to our models Scooby Rubio and Merida for all of your help!

10/08/2026

Last month, our very own Philip Carcia Philip J. Carcia returned to his hometown mountain, Mount Wachusett, for his fifth 24-hour endurance effort.

The idea was simple: ascend and descend the 0.9-mile Mountain House Trail as many times as possible from midnight to midnight in an effort to establish a new standard for the most summits in a single calendar day.

On this effort, Phil was able to hit a notable personal record:
42 summits September 19, 2026 76.5 miles. 33,360 feet of climbing.

The previous four attempts were also quite notable, each one improving on the one before it.

Wachusett x30 November 25, 2020 58 miles. 22,844 feet of climbing.

Wachusett x31 December 7, 2021 60 miles. 25,463 feet of climbing.

Wachusett x35 June 21, 2023 65 miles. 28,120 feet of climbing.

Wachusett x39 June 28, 2024 71 miles. 29,734 feet of climbing.

In a recent post on social media, Phil reflected on the difference between performing transformation and actually living it as an endurance athlete.

“I’ve spent so much time over the last 8 years convincing myself that I had to become ‘someone else’ on these projects in order to reach my goals.

This time, I became someone else in real life and carried that version of myself with me into the deep, dark, beautiful abyss.

And that is what made all of the difference.”

Wachusett was the first mountain Philip climbed more than 25 years ago, long before his thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail, the NH48, the White Mountains Grid, the Guidebook, the Direttissima, or any of the endurance projects that followed.

10/06/2026

The White Mountains Wilderness Route is a roughly 115-mile hiking route through New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest designed to connect all six federally designated Wilderness Areas in the forest.

It is not an official single trail like the Appalachian Trail; it is a continuous route assembled from the existing White Mountains trail network.

The route was originally conceived and completed by Notch Hostel employee Philip Carcia in 2023, and last week, one of our managers, Tricia “Peal” Case, became the fourth person and second woman to complete the route.

It took Tricia six hiking days to complete the full 100+ miles and 25,000 feet of climbing. When asked about her experience out there, she had this to say:

“What a trip. I want to go out and do this over and over, with slight adjustments to incorporate new trails.

More people should try this route. It’s a unique, uncrowded, wild way to experience the Whites.”

10/02/2026

Peak foliage has arrived in the White Mountains. 🍁

The notches are glowing, the Kanc is absolutely lit up, and the mountains are covered in reds, oranges, and gold.

This part of the season is beautiful—and fleeting.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to head north, this is it.

Come see us in the mountains.

We’d love to be your basecamp.

10/01/2026

More people have walked on the surface of the moon than have traversed the length of the Grand Canyon.

Notch hamily member Lyla “Sugar” Harrod Lyla "Sugar" Harrod is setting off on her next massive hiking project:

The Grand Canyon Traverse.

If you think this is a simple Rim-to-Rim, think again.

The Grand Canyon Traverse is an elite, roughly 600 to 800-mile backcountry route running the entire length of the canyon below the rim.

Lyla describes the project here:

“With my own two feet, I’ll be walking from the geological start to the end of the Grand Canyon. The points on the map are called Lee’s Ferry, and then the Grand Wash Cliffs is where it ends.

“It covers two hundred and seventy or so miles of the Colorado River, but because the Grand Canyon is actually a huge network of canyons, this route requires a lot of logistics and a lot of technical skill.

“The vast majority of this route is off-trail, walking cross-country, scrambling, climbing, doing whatever you gotta do to make it to the other end.”

If you’d like to hear more about Lyla’s upcoming project, she recently went into detail on her North Country Radio Show and recorded the entire session on Instagram Live.

Follow Lyla on Instagram and check out her most recent Instagram Live video to hear more about the route, the logistics, and what it will take to traverse the Grand Canyon from end to end.

Lyla will also join us this winter as part of our Fireside Chat series on January 9, 2027. Be sure to save the date—and sign up through the link in the The Notch Hostel 🏔 bio!

Lyla, we wish you nothing but good luck and happy hiking!

We’ll see you on the other side of the canyon.

09/27/2026

History was made yesterday - Dragonsky completed the Direttissima and is the first known Black person to complete this intensive thru-hike while keeping her joy, laughter and resilience throughout her journey! In her own words:

“Direttissima: Happiest Known Time Aug 27-September 26, 2026

“I’ve been Chasing Autumn, watching the leaves change colors, and in that transformation, I transformed. The White Mountains have always called to me and I’ve done the unimaginable.

“I completed the thru-hike. I have raised money for Summits in Solidarity. I’ve inspired many and I’m the first Black person to do it. Period.

“I am a Nigerian Queen. The blood of Mali, Ghana, Bantu Peoples runs through my veins. Africa is excellence.”

Please join us in honoring this major accomplishment by donating to Summits In Solidarity as Dragonsky’s fundraiser ends shortly! The celebration will continue on February 6th at the Notch Hostel’s Fireside Chat with Dragonsky - be sure to save the date on your calendar (and sign up via the link in The Notch Hostel 🏔 bio).

We see and celebrate you Dragonsky!

09/14/2026

“I think overall something really important l’ve thought about is how ‘hard’ everyone says the Direttissima is. When in reality, l’ve been climbing mountains my whole life- mentally and spiritually.

“What defines what is hard?

“When I’m climbing the Tripyramid North slide or frustrated Tecumseh will never end, it’s a reminder of everything I’ve faced in my life. The Sandwich Range has given me reflection.

“After my Uncle’s death in May, I see the Direttissima as finding the moonlight within the dark night sky. I am never alone in the Wobandonak and the spirit of these mountains dance within my soul.”

Eighteen days ago, Dragonsky stepped onto a 240-mile journey connecting all 48 4,000-footers in the White Mountains—a route known as the Direttissima.

Since our last check-in, Dragonsky has summited:

West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff, North Hancock, South Hancock, Osceola, East Osceola, Tecumseh, North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, Whiteface, and Passaconaway.

Most notably, Evan, a mountaineer and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker from Colorado, joined Dragonsky for a long stretch through the Sandwich Range, adding his name to the growing list of friends who have come out to support her along this remarkable journey.

With 26 peaks, 115 miles, and 37,000 feet of climbing behind her, Dragonsky is now more than halfway through the 48 summits and just shy of the halfway mark in both mileage and elevation gain.

The Notch Hostel is honored to continue supporting Dragonsky as both a sponsor and home base for this groundbreaking thru-hike.

As she pushes deeper into this historic journey, we hope you’ll follow along, show her some love, and consider contributing to her fundraiser supporting hikers of color throughout New England.

Head to Dragonsky’s Instagram profile to donate to !

09/12/2026

Bittersweet backyard fire last night in honor of Hops and Braveheart, the best summer staff a hostel could ask for. Hiker season is almost over, but these guys are hamily for life 💕

09/04/2026

“On Franconia Ridge, I see my past, present, and future. To my left is Cannon. I am facing Garfield now, and to my right is Agiochook. A representation of who I am, how far I’ve come, and the person I’m growing into. It is here, on this ridge, where I am free.” Shilletha Curtis

Since starting the White Mountains Direttissima on August 27th, Dragonsky has made notable progress toward her goal of becoming the first known Black person to connect all 48 4,000-footers in the White Mountains on foot.

In that time, she’s covered approximately 60 miles, climbed over 20,000 feet of vertical gain, and summited the following:

Moosilauke, South Kinsman, North Kinsman, Flume, Liberty, Lincoln, Lafayette, Garfield, Owl’s Head, Galehead, South Twin, North Twin, and Zealand.

Dragonsky’s tentative plan is to go over the Bonds today, the Hancocks on Saturday, and reach her next road crossing at the Kancamagus Highway shortly after.

We are proud to serve as Dragonsky’s sponsor and base camp for this impactful thru-hike.

Help us cheer Dragonsky on as she continues this historic journey, and consider supporting her fundraiser benefiting hikers of color across New England. Visit her IG profile to donate to !

09/01/2026

Online bookings are now live for the winter season, December 4th through March 27th. Book today to secure your preferred dates for winter adventures!

By the way, we're starting to see the first signs of fall here in the mountains. The nights have grown chillier, and a few leaves are changing color. The hostel is open for business now through October 30th, and we still have space available during peak foliage. We’ll close for stick season in November.

See you at The Notch! ❄🍁

http://notchhostel.com

Address

324 Lost River Road
North Woodstock, NH
03262

Telephone

+16033481483

Website

http://www.notchhostel.com/

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