A much needed zero-day of rest, eating, movie-watching, and healing from my cold thing.
Archives for July 2004
East B Hill Road
A short day today heading into the town of Andover for a night at the Andover Guest House and a resupply. Feeling gradually better this morning, but a bit weary, walking with Camel, Leki-less, and the Camera Crew. We all had some amusing entertainment this morning on the top of Baldpate…
Baldpate
The day we've all been waiting for--Mahoosuc Notch. Thankfully, I felt a little bit more healthy and energetic for this famous stretch through a mile-long deep notch where the trail scrambles over, around, and sometimes under some extremely large boulders. It was great to pass through this stretch feeling better and laughing with the others about where the white blazes were leading us at times.
Full Goose
Sick and miserable. I don't think I've been more weak in my life. Crossed into Maine at least, so that's a good thing. State #14 of 14. This damn sickness has just got to end.
Gentian Pond
My last full day in the state of New Hampshire, and it did not get off to a good start. After a night of zero sleep, bad headaches, hot flashes, and a very dry sore throat in our oven of a motel room, I think I'm coming down with some kind of bug.
US 2
Tough. Long. Tiring. Yup, that pretty much encapsulates today. Lots of ups and downs, but I felt suprisingly more energetic throughout all of it, even trail running a bit over the last couple of miles down to the road. It's always an uplifting feeling to feel like my body is regaining its normal strength a bit. Waldo, Walk On and I are in a terrible and hot motel room tonight since The Barn Hostel is full.
Carter Notch
A nice cruise on down to a lunch at Pinkham Notch this morning--a place I haven't visited since my last spring trip to ski at Tuckerman Ravine on Mt. Washington. Met up with Waldo and Camel at the visitor's center there and chatted with each other about our respective experiences at the AMC huts and the incredible scenery in the Whites.
Osgood
Absolutely incredible. There are no other words for this day. An entire day of sunshine, blue skies, and almost no wind crossing the whole of the northern Presidentials; all this in a place known for having the worst weaather on the entire planet.
Lakes of the Clouds
Well, my good luck with the weather in the Whites has apparently met its end. Walk On and I ascended the unrelentingly steep climb from Crawford Notch to Mt. Webster and up into the clouds near Mizpah Hut and the start of the Presidential Range. Had a great lunch at Mizpah out of the weather with a bottomless bowl of soup and all-you-can-eat brownies, all for the grand total of $3.
Crawford Notch
Much easier hiking today under even more blue sky. I can't get over my luck with the weather so far in the Whites. Walk On and I spent some time at Zealand Falls Hut having lunch and soaking in the falls (very cold) before trucking on to another break at scenic Ethan Pond.
Galehead
Beautiful sunshine for a second straight day--totally unexpected weather for here in the Whites. It was also very hot, owing mainly to all the continually exposed trail in bright sunshine, and more ups and downs on very rough terrain. Walk On, Waldo and I walked together again and took our time getting to Galehead Hut where Waldo moved on and Walk On and I decided to stay.
Greenleaf
Got a later start this morning, but it paid off with a quick view of Cannon Mt. and the remnants of the Old Man of the Mountain on our hitch back to the trail in addition to the weather breaking into sunshine once we finished the long gruelling climb out of the notch and up onto Franconia Ridge. An absolutely perfect day to enjoy this utterly breathtaking ridge.
Franconia Notch
Today was a day that got shorter and shorter as the weather got worse. Waldo caught up with Footloose, Walk On, and I after our morning chores at the hut and we all hiked the couple easy miles to Franconia Notch where we hitched in to North Woodstock for a resupply.
Lonesome Lake
Spectacular terrain today beginning with an extremely steep descent from the shelter down to Kinsman Notch alongside a continuous cascade the entire way. The day ended with a long and difficult climb and descent over South and North Kinsman as the weather abruptly changed from sun to rain to thunder and back to just plain cloudy. So it is, here in the Whites.
Beaver Brook
Slept in and relaxed this morning, trying to get as much rest as possible for the Whites, and hoping the cloud veil would lift from Mt. Moosilauke. After watching three movies this morning and being a complete lazy butt, Moosilauke had cleared and it was off on another short day but a long climb up to Moosilauke with Walk On.
NH 25
At long last, a short day! Hiked with Chris today and caught up with one another on how our respective hikes are going. Nice to slow down the pace for a change with so few miles to do. I arrived at the Hikers Welcome Hostel for a night indoors for the second night in a row and a crowd of thru-hiker friends to gather 'round the tv with to watch movies all night.
NH 25A
My first full day in my 13th state! All I can say is: "New Hampshire? Bring it." Hiked one last big day alongside Camel--perhaps my last 20-miler of the trail! Tired legs today after last night's late arrival, and the trail turned pretty dramatically more diificult with several rugged and steep ups and downs.
Moose Mt.
Hiked in tandem this morning with Camel, trying to catch up on the last few months of each other's hiking stories on the way into Hanover, NH for breakfast. We crossed over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire, nearly avoided a camera-dropping catastrophe, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Lou's with Footloose.
Happy Hill
Some beautiful views from some low hills today, but I'm really just getting psyched up for New Hampshire! Took a nice nap in West Hartford on a bench near the White River after some Ben & Jerry's ice cream with Footloose and the Camera Crew. Today's definite highlight was a very unexpected late arrival by my old friend Camel, who I haven't seen since Atkins, VA several months ago.
Woodstock Stage Road
Nice terrain, lots of PUDs. Not much more to say about that. Footloose and the Camera Crew and I popped in to the tiny "town" of South Pomfret to grab dinner, snacks, ice cream and beer at the general store. We had some great chatter over dinner across from the store before deciding to stealth camp on the porch of the Suicide Six ski area just up the street.
Stony Brook
Aaaaaahhh. So nice to sleep in a bit, in a bed no less! I slept like an absolute rock and enjoyed a delicious brunch with Footloose, Mom and Dad, and the Bartzes. After all that, it only seemed fitting to take a very comfortable shorter day and to just cruise the entire way--I guess easing the miles coming out of town seems to be a good match for me.
US 4
Meeting my parents this evening, so time to make some more miles! Awesome to catch up with Lucky Star this afternoon before making the long climb up to Killington Peak. Also great to meet up with the Camera Crew again while we all ate lunch at Governor Clement Shelter--I haven't seen them since Damascus!
Minerva Hinchey
Hiking together again, Walk On, Seeker and I took advantage of a misty, cool, and viewless day to try and burn some miles. Easy walking today, but long, through beautiful stretches of trail around Griffith Lake, Big Branch, and Little Rock Pond. A long day with more great company, followed by major feeding with multiple dinners late into the night.
Bromley Mt.
The trio rolls on, but not until after a late start due to last night's feasting festivities preceded by a day of long miles. The three of us hitched into Manchester Center for more eating and a resupply, but ended up hanging around into the afternoon, shortening our day to a very nice relaxing one. It's cozy to be in this enclosed hut for a night with thunderstorms predicted.
Spruce Peak
Started off this morning with another exciting bear sighting, my first ever in Vermont. After running about 50 yards away, he stopped to pose and look back at me with an equal curiousity. Sadly, by the time I flipped the velcro on my shorts pocket to grab the camera, he was gone.
Kid Gore
A misty morning that gave way into a beautiful afternoon and evening. Great to be back here in Vermont, on a trail and in the mountains that have come to feel like my backyard in the time I've lived here. I decided to push on to Kid Gore Shelter where I met Walk On, who was already in for the night after a short day alongside Seeker. Great card games and conversation to go along with a beautiful view and equally gorgeous sunset colors in the sky.
Congdon
I still feel feel quite a lot of hangover sadness from yesterday, but the thought of being back on the Long Trail in Vermont for the first time since my '02 thru-hike pushed me on. I crossed into Vermont after another late start following this morning's downpour that I rode out in my tent. Cleared up a little this afternoon, but still wet and muddy all the way to the shelter where I met Seeker.
Sherman Brook
After an incredibly fun couple of days, I got a late start back on the trail tonight. I was so sad to leave my best friend Sarah behind, and this is the first time I can remember not wanting to be on the trail. A lonely night on the cusp of Vermont...
Wedding Zero Day 2
Date: 7/3/04 Starting Location: MA 2Destination: MA 2Miles: 0Total Miles: 1586.6 Wedding...
Wedding Zero Day 1
Date: 7/2/04 Starting Location: MA 2Destination: MA 2Miles: 0Total Miles: 1586.6
MA 2
I slept in this morning, but I'm way behind on sleep and this weekend's off-trail time at the wedding should hopefully help out on that. I felt awful and very tired when I started climbing up Mt. Greylock, but much better after taking a very long rest on a trailside rock.