Kittery Trading Post Maine

York couple heads to the White Mountains to hike the 4000-footers

"I work in a place where they sell outdoor equipment and I am always meeting people who are telling me about all kinds of adventures," David said. "This just seemed like a great way to get some adventure, some healthy exercise and some fresh air."

Of course, first he had to sell his wife, Susie, on the idea.

"I wasn't a hiker," she said. "And I don't like camping either."

But David was undaunted.

After all, Susie already did go to the gym regularly and she did welcome the opportunity to "go out in nature" on her days off from her 13-hour shifts as a pharmacist.

Both agreed then that, with three kids in college, hiking was worth a try as an inexpensive way to enjoy their days off together while getting exercise.

"It was one way to spend time together," David said. "And we thought it would be great to have some adventures and see some beautiful sites."

Susie agreed.

"It's great," she said. "I wouldn't have done it without David leading the way, but it's been fun."

What Susie didn't know is that from the start, David's plan was to hike all 48.

Though he slowly eased Susie into the idea, David, the obvious planner of the couple from York, Maine, had begun their quest by typing out a list of all of the 4,000-footers.

Once their youngest child left for college, Shaw methodically planned and researched the couple's quest by beginning with the easiest hikes first.

Taking advantage of payroll deduction at Kittery Trading Post, where he works, David slowly began buying everything from backpacks to hiking boots, snowshoes to outerwear.

"We've tested different clothes, shoes, equipment, figuring out what works and what doesn't work," he said. "We've been able to jettison some of the things over time so we don't carry too many extras. But we've learned that layers are essential."

Mapping out with a highlighter the weekdays the two had off together to hike, David not only planned what mountains to hike when, but also what to bring.

In their basement, organized in bins and on tables, shelves and walls, is equipment that can be used year-round. Although they say they "can be picky about the weather," the Shaws do hike even in the winter using micro-spikes and snowshoes.

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