Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 1,880.8 With earplugs, I actually slept pretty good in my bottom bunk although I was wide awake at 4:30am. I enjoyed a big breakfast of oatmeal, sausage and eggs while viewing Mt Washington from the dining hall. The forecast for clearing skies was correct – good day for a summit bid! Today just happened to be the Mt Washington Road Race and the summit was already packed with people by the time I arrived. I…
Daily Miles: 11.1, Total Miles: 1,862.9 A filling dinner, deep sleep and hearty breakfast made a difference on today’s climb to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. On a mostly overcast day, I skirted around Mt Eisenhower and Mt Monroe on the way to the hut with the much taller Mt Washington still shrouded in mist. Got checked into the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, the largest (capacity of 90) of the 8 AMC huts in the Whites. This hut…
Daily Miles: 17.7, Total Miles: 1,851.8 Probably my earliest start on the northern half of the AT from Garfield Ridge Campsite at 5:30am. I must have been excited by the clear skies! Finally a beautiful, sunny day in NH’s White Mountains with great, panoramic views. Only 3,100′ of ascent today with most of it from a rocky, steep climb up to the rocky, open summit of South Twin Mountain, and to a lesser extent, Guyout and Zealand Mountains. But it…
Daily Miles: 10.1, Total Miles: 1,834.3 I got a shuttle back to the Liberty Springs TH and started the climb to Franconia Ridge. Limited visibility but some views of the Ridge, Little Haystack and Mt Lincoln. Mt Lafayette, 5,246′ elevation, was visible up ahead but by the time I got up there I was in the clouds and it was raining. The rain stopped as I dipped down to a boggy area. Another climb up and over Mt Garfield and…
I had a good sleep but I still wake up too early. Had a fair breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express then took a walk downtown to an outdoor shop to replace my tent stakes and butt pad. I cleaned up my gear and tried to plan the rest of the White Mountains in NH. I have alternatives but it’s all weather dependent, plus camping is not allowed above treeline. Up and over Mt Washington on the next leg! I…
Daily Miles: 16.4, Total Miles: 1,824.2 I got a shuttle back to Kinsman Notch for my 16-mile slackpack over South and North Kinman Mountains, both at about 4,300′ elevation. The benefit of this slackpack, basically a day-hike, is reduced pack weight – a lot less strain and easier movement. The challenge with some risk is that you have to finish the entire hike because you don’t have overnight gear. Because of the total mileage, close to 4,600′ vertical and steepness,…
Daily Miles: 11.4, Total Miles: 1,807.8 As nice as it was camping next to Wachipauka Pond, the croaking frogs were so noisy I had to put earplugs in. I’m also happy to report that my sticks for tent stakes held up but I will be looking for replacements in Lincoln. The challenge today was Mt Moosilauke, 4,800 ft elevation. A steep, very rocky trail was made even more difficult by steady rain near the summit. A complete whiteout for me,…
Daily Miles: 23.9, Total Miles: 1,796.4 I was just starting out this morning after getting to the trailhead from Lyme NH. Through the trees, I saw what looked like the dark opening to a cave. As I got closer the cave started moving and I immediately realized that it was a large black bear. By far the largest of the five bears I have seen on the AT. I said, “Hi Bear”, he gave me a stare, huffed once and…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 1,772.5 Not as much rain as I expected but I still enjoyed my zero day in Lyme NH. A good breakfast here at Dowd’s Country Inn, caught up with hiker chores and took a walk around town. Lunch at nearby Stella’s – a bluegrass band was practicing in a nearby room and sounded good. I had to check whether there was any connection between Lyme NH and Lyme disease. I’m happy to report the connection…
Daily Miles: 3.7, Total Miles: 1,772.5 The Barring Owls were hooting like crazy off and on all night early this morning. Misty morning, up and over Holt’s Ledge, no views today in a complete whiteout. Got down to Grafton Turnpike, sparse traffic and no phone signal, so decided to walk the three miles into Lyme NH. I had previously made a reservation at Dowd’s Country Inn, the forecast for rain the rest of the day into tomorrow. Early to check…
