My first long hike was the Long Trail . I was in worse shape than I am now (195 lbs on my 5'6" frame!!!), had a heavy pack (EMS 5500, whisper light stove, heavy leather boots.
About 30 lbs base pack weight!) and I did it in 18 days just fine.
If you are on the trail by 7 or 8 am and willing to walk most of the day, 16 MPD is very doable.
If my younger, lard-ass self could do it with limited experience, don't see why the OP can't either.
Like the OP, I had done some backpacking in the Whites before then..but only a year before I did the LT!
Go for it. With the lighter packs carried today and maybe a base level of fitness that I really did not have, don't see why the OP can't do it either.
Most importantly, I think the OP will find the LT to be a wonderful, rewarding little trail. I know I did!
(Today? My older..but leaner, experienced and more in-shape self, would see 16 MPD as chill!
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