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Day 25 1.6 miles Rattle River Lean to
Last night was crappy. The traffic kept on all night. In Gorham, NH everything is too far apart. I finally put earplugs in to block out the traffic noise. We spent $18 on lunch. Everything was rushed and hurried. I bought half gallon of ice cream because I craved it. I really couldn't eat it.
I was at the post office and a guy walked up to me and asked if I was hiking Southbound. I said yes, he asked if I knew "Farsang". I said I was him! He introduced himself as Bruce Darby from Johnson City, and his friend John Tomko from Jonesborough. They were up for a hiking trip in the Whites. I was just amazed at the fact they had found me.
We shipped our packages, ate some lunch and headed to relax back at the trail. We started to hitchhike and who should drive by, but Bruce and John. They gave us a ride back to the trail. So our first true Trail Angels were from my home town!
We kicked back, relaxed, and I swam, only 1.6 mi. from the city. It was good to get a break.
Day 26 13.4 miles Carter Notch
First day in the White Mountains. We started with a climb of 1,200ft. We walked across North Carter, Middle Carter, South Carter, and now we're at Carter Notch. So who better to hike for than Carter Pierce, almost 2 year old son of Sean and Andrea Pierce. I hope my kid will be as bright, happy, and animated as Carter. But with all of this Deet I've been putting on, I'm not sure.
My pack is heavy again with food. It's hard to make that transition. I'm carrying seven days worth. I added some bittersweet baker's chocolate to my snack regimen. I think that'll be good. The White Mountains have huts that allow tourists to hike and pay up to $110 a night for a bunk, dinner and lunch. The huts are manned with a "croo" who provide support for hikers. All have heard that we will be able to get "work-for-stay" at the huts. That will allow us to do some menial chores in exchange for leftover food and sleeping in the dining room. This is nothing that I really wanted to deal with. Carter Notch hut turned us down straight off. We tented nearby.
Day 27 13.6 miles Madison Hut
Today I hike for Bruce Darby and John Tomko. I am very tired. We started the day by climbing 1,000 ft to 4,300 ft in .8mi. We hiked across the ridge at Wildcat Ski Slopes, then dropped down to Pinkham Notch. We weighed our packs, 6 days of food, full water, it weighs 40 pounds "Stayin's" too. We headed out from Pinkham after lunch to our first presidential mountain, Mt. Madison. Climbed from 2,250' to 5,365' in only 2 mi. Once we broke above tree line, it was all roots and boulders. We were hiking at only 1 mph. We could see Mt. Washington at our back 1.5 mi away. We topped the mountain and hiked down all rock to Madison Hut. We asked for the work-for-stay and got it.
So here I sit, in the sunshine writing in my journal, waiting for leftovers. I'm glad we got this one, because I'm tired. I noticed today that my feet feel good and do not stay sore like everyone told me they would. Sore muscles and tendons have stopped too. I still remind myself that I am living in the middle of my "chance".
Day 28 11.4 miles Mizpah Hut
Today, I hike this day of memorable importance for my parents. My parents had me as teenagers, and by stereotype I should have been a great disaster. I was given love, care, and most of all time, I feel, looking back, that their world was me.
I started 4 weeks ago today! We did our work this morning sweeping the bunkhouse. We headed out about 9 am for Mt. Washington. I hiked the 6 miles up in only 3 hours, over all boulder rock. I was excited. I tried to be conscious of every moment to remember the day that I summated Mt. Washington. I made it to the summit and then....people everywhere. I was directly approached by a couple and their kids who had many questions. They videoed me, took pics with their kids all before I could breathe. I enjoyed it though. I saw a northbounder, 'Caterpillar' who I had seen in Trail days in Damascus this year. The wind was blowing 30 mph making the wind chill 39 degrees. I went to the snack bar and had a chili dog, clam chowder, a cinnamon roll, two cookies with whip cream in the middle, and a coke. I called it my celebration dinner. We stayed up there for about 2 hours. I called my parents and Becky. We hiked another 5 or so to Mizpah Hut. We got another work-for-stay, this time at night so we can leave early.
I can't believe I had two good weather days for Katahdin and Washington. I'm very thankful. There is a sign on Washington that states "The worst Weather on Earth". Today was one of those pinnacle moments on the trail. (In 1934 winds were clocked at 234 mph, the fastest every recorded in the world.)
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