Day 9 - Sunday, July 7, 2019

Imp Shelter to Rattle River Hostel - 8 miles

After a rainy Saturday, I woke to a beautiful Sunday morning.  Cool and clear.  I lefted the Shelter at 6:30 to hike up Mt Moriah and then down the mountain. I got back to the hostel at 11am.  I spent the afternoon packing and resting for southern ME.  I should cross the state line on early Wednesday morning.   I could have gone out this afternoon but I’m sitting close to the phone regarding Lisa’s dad.     He is make in ICU.  This is a decision point for me because once I leave Gorham I will be out of touch for 3 days.   Please say a pray for Lisa’s dad.  

From Top of Mt Moriah

Day 8 - Saturday, June 6, 2019

Pinkham Notch to Imp Shelter -13.1 miles

The weather was good this morning but thunderstorms rolled in during the afternoon.  This section included the Wildcat Mtns, Carter   Dome and the three Carter Mtns, of which 5 of them are over 4,000 ft.  I stopped at the Carter Notch Hut and got a bowl of soup, a sausage patty and a Pastry for lunch.  I met a NOBO named “Goat” for St Louis.  I also started the day hiking with “Footloose” and “Big Bear” from Vernon, NJ but we got separated when we started climbing.   I felt good today but it was slow with the weather.  I stopped below the ridge line on three different occasions to wait out the lightning before going above treeline.  It is frightening being on top of a bald mountain with lightning so I don’t might sitting in the rain to wait it out.  Got to camp at 6:00 and I was soaked and cold.   I’m now in my sleeping bag warming up and ready for sleep.  Tomorrow I go over Mt Moriah and back to Rt 2 in Gotham.  I will be out of New Hampshire in a little over a day.

Storms approaching 

Day 7 - Friday July 5, 2019

Rattle River Hostel - 0 miles

Today was a rest day.   I ate a big breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Soaked my feet, rolled my sore muscles and relaxed.  I planned the rest of my resupply locations and sent info to Lisa.  I also made a small resupply run to Walmart.  I met a nice retired couple from Vernon, NJ (Southbounders).  I noticed she had a horseshoe bracket from St Croix and found out her sister has lived there for 30 yrs in the same town as Trey and Sara.  

Tomorrow I head back on trail to do the “Wildcat Mtns” and  “Carter Dome”.  The  weather isn’t looking good 90% chance of rain/thunderstorms. It was Georgia hot here today at 91 and humid but the rain is supposed to cool it off.  

Happy Birthday CHAZ!!!!  I hope you had a great day.

No pictures today

Day 6 - Thursday, July 4, 2019

Lake of the clouds hut to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center - 15 miles

 Sleeping in the hut was not a restful night.  Hikers cannot layout bedrolls until dining room shuts down at 9:30.   But because of the 4th the cog train station did a fireworks show below at the bottom of the mountain so the dining room was busy until 10:00 watching the show from above.   I was asleep by 10:30 up at 5:15 and on trail by 6:10.   Hiked with “Papercut” and “Stitcher”.  We were on top of Mt Washington by 7:00 got our pictures and off by 7:30.   The rest of the day was hiking above treeline over the “Presidential Range”.  The toughest mountain was Mt Madison which is extremely rocky (big rocks).   The climb down was also difficult.  Knees and ankles took a pounding today.   I decided this afternoon that I would take a “zero” tomorrow to get ready for the final section in New Hampshire the “Wildcats Mountains”.   

Mt Washington Summit

Taking in the views “Beautiful Mountain Range”

Day 5 - Wednesday July 3, 2019

Ethan Pond Hut to Lake of the Clouds Hut - 14 Miles

Up early and out of camp so I could make it to Lake of the Clouds around 4:00.   The first 3 miles was easy downhill to US 302 but then the “fun” started.   The road is at 1266 ft of evelation and the Lake of Cloud hut is 5012.   Miles 4-6 was extremely difficult up to the Webster Cliffs.   The flies and mosquitoes have been really bad but I have a secret weapon (thanks Andy).   I met several hikers today but hiked with Paper-cut and Shedder most of the day.  It is so much more enjoyable to hike with others.   Good day we arrived at 4:30 and registered to do a work for same.  Well I didn’t get the work for stay so it cost me $10 to stay on the dining room floor.  It’s warm and has a bathroom so I’m ok with the floor.

The “Tramily” telling stories at Lake of the Clouds

Beautiful Sunset 

Day 4 - Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Garfield Shelter to Ethan Pond Shelter - 14.5 Miles

The weather was nice today.  The views were incredible although I was only above treeline for a few minutes.   This place has some difficult hiking but the views are worth it.   I sleep well last night turned in at 7:30 and up at 6:00.   My legs felt better, maybe the extra sleep is working.   I ate at 2 huts today; one for leftover breakfast and coffee and the other at 2:00 pm for soup and a pastry.  This is definitely helping me keep my calorie count up.  The huts provide this to hikers doing greater than 200 miles of the trail.  The day started with  a difficult climb down a water fall and one tough climb.  In the late afternoon the rocks reduced significantly so I was able to complete the last 5 miles in a couple of hours.   I did get to talk to Lisa this morning anticipating no phone signal tonight (which I don’t have).  I walked by myself most of the day,  I sure miss Jax’s Dad.   

Tomorrow I want to get going earlier so I can make it to Lake of the Clouds hut (just below Mt Washington) before end of day.  

The early morning climb down the stream


Gorgeous Views

Day 3 - Monday, July 1, 2019

Franconia Notch to Garfield Shelter - 10.3 miles

The White Mountains are no joke.   The day started with a 3000 foot climb to Liberty Springs before climbing another 1000 to get above treeline.   Was above treeline for several miles.  I climbing down from Mt Lafayette before going back up Mt  Garfield.   The miles tell me it was a easy day, my body tells another story.   Great views!!!!

The ridge behind me is what I covered today

  

Hiking above treeline