The White Mountains

Day 142

I unexpectedly ended up slack packing today. Chameleon and I were planning to rest up and then just hike a few miles out of town. Late morning, after delicious peach pancakes, Betsy suggested we stay another night and slack pack. This worked out fantastic because we hiked more miles than we planned, stayed out of the rain, and took a shower at the end of the day.

The trail walked right through Hanover

Due to slack packing southbound, we crossed the New Hampshire and Vermont border without quite finishing Vermont yet. It was very strange. We still took our goofy pictures and were excited a couple miles later when we had truly finished Vermont. Only two states left!
 

Day 143

This morning Betsy made French Toast for nine hikers that spent the night in her house. How wonderful and delicious! We were able to help stack wood. With so many of us it was a quick job.

 

We got back on the trail late morning. We could tell it was getting cloudy as the woods got darker. We got to a view and were able see a huge cloud front. Half the sky was clear blue and half was ominous storm clouds. As we hiked up Moose Mountain the rain came down. It cleared just as we came to an opening and there was a rainbow arching down into the valley.

Tonight we are staying with a bunch of hikers are staying at The Ice Cream Man's house. The Ice Cream Man is in his 80's and when we arrived he was teaching number of hikers to play croquet. It continues to amaze me how many people open their homes to people thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

playing croquet

The rules for Ice Cream Man's House

Day 144

I had such a beautiful view from Cube Mountain this afternoon. I love feeling so alive and invigorated on top of mountains. The fresh air and wind are refreshing and looking out over forests and mountains gives such a different perspective on the area. Seeing the mountains I have hiked stretch out into the distance is empowering. I love this journey I am on.

 

Day 145

My mom came to meet Chameleon and I on the trail today! It was great to see her again and for Chameleon to meet my mom for the first time. We had grilled marinated chicken for dinner after eating lots of veggies and hummus. We sang a bit around the fire and were joined by another camper. It was fun to sing with my mom because we know all the same songs! Unfortunately I was exhausted and couldn't stay awake as long as I would have liked. It is so difficult to stay awake after dark.

 

Day 146

I hiked Mount Mousalauke today! My mom joined us for the first couple of miles then turned back as we continued. In the morning I saw a number of northbound thru-hikers slack packing south. They raved about the views and were very positive. This was great to hear because the elevation profile for the hike looked rather intimidating.

showing my mom a shelter and a log book

The view from the top was one of the best on the trail thus far. It was a 360°view with mountains in every direction. I couldn't see Mount Washington because it was is the clouds but there were plenty of others.

 

The hike ended with 1.5 miles of a very steep down. It took quite a long time and I was happy not to be wearing my full pack. My mom met us im the parking lot with watermelon. What a treat!

Day 147

We all packed up car this morning and had a hearty breakfast before being dropped off on the trail. It was great to see my mom and to share stories and pictures of trail life!

 

Shortly after leaving the parking lot we completed 1800 miles of the trail. We have come so far. Progress today was slow. I was getting frustrated even though I have been told so many times that the White Mountains are difficult. I'm so accustomed to hiking a certain pace but it just not possible with all the rocks, roots, and steep ups and downs. I'm sure it'll take a few days to get used to the new pace. I have to remember I'm still moving forward and making progress while enjoying the mountains.  

 

Day 148

Tonight there was a beautiful sunset over a mountain ridge. The orange sun was sinking below a bank of clouds and bathing the forest in red light. It had been so long since I was high enough to see the sun set rather than being stuck in a valley.

 

This morning there were some very steep climbs. How steep? At times the next part of the trail was in front of my face rather than in front of my feet. Thankfully the view was worth the effort. The sky was clear blue and I was able to see all the mountains I had hiked the past few days. It is rewarding to be able to see my progress so clearly.
 

Day 149

What a beautiful day! This morning I hiked over Franconia Ridge. I was above tree line for a couple miles amd the views were fantastic. I could see the last three days worth of hiking again and it was even more impressive than yesterday. I can't get over how beautiful the White Mountains are.

 

Chameleon and I arrived at Galehead Hut around 6:30 hoping that work for stay would be available. We were thrilled when they said yes. After the guests ate we were free to eat the leftovers! It was so nice to eat a salad, beef brisket, and dessert! I will have to stay a bit late tomorrow after breakfast to do my work. Chameleon cleaned the freezer tonight so she's free to go.
 

Day 150

Last night the wind howled outside the hut all night. I was thankful to be inside even though I didn't sleep all that well. My work for stay involved refolding blankets for the bunks and sweeping. What a deal!

The hike up the mountain was directly into the clouds and rain. A couple miles into the day my boots were completely soaked through which then made my hike a bit easier because I walked right through all the puddles and mud.

I'm sleeping in a shelter tonight. I was so happy there was room because neither Chameleon nor I wanted to set up tents in the rain.

Day 151

Today was an easy day. I hiked a few miles downhill in increasingly sunny weather. At the road crossing Chameleon and I hitched a few miles down the road so we could have cell service. Chameleon then called the Yellow Deli to come pick us up. Amazingly enough one of the members of the community is from my hometown! We had both been in the marching band and knew some of the same teachers from the high school.

We spent the afternoon in Lancaster getting our resupply and relaxing. The Yellow Deli community invited us to have dinner with them which was lovely. There was lots of fresh food, laughter, and children. One of the kids brought me a ukulele to ask me to tune it. After doing so they asked me to sing. There were so many children gathered around with parents too! The moment really made me miss being a music teacher.

Day 152

Tonight there was a beautiful sunset! The sun was shining through light rain creating pink and orange curtains throughout the mountains.

We had a late morning start after the shuttle dropped off all the hikers. The weather turned out well, just a few sprinkles late in the day. I had been nervous that Webster Cliffs would be wet and slippery but they were dry! I did put both trekking poles away and was using my hands to pull myself up. The cliffs were not as bad as I had anticipated. I never feared for my life like I did in Lehigh Gap!

Day 153

I sumitted Mount Washington today! The weather was clear the whole way up which was amazing in itself. I felt very accomplished having completed another milestone on the trail.

 

The summit itself was a bit of a disapointment. As I was approaching the summit I felt like I was walking to a space station. There were antennas, weather gear, and buildings that looked so out of place. The terrain was completely rocky and barren too. There were people everywhere and we had to wait in line to take our picture with the sign. We did have perfect weather though! 

We were able to get work for stay at Madison Hut. The food was great and there was plenty of it. I scrubbed down the walls under the sink and made them shine. Shortbus and Turbo were there too.

 

Day 154

The climb down from Madison Hut felt like the longest three miles on the trail thus far. The first section was above tree line and all rocks. These were fairly large, angular, rough rocks without a path. Tall cairns (rocks piles indicating the trail) marked the general direction to walk but it was a free for all on choosing how to reach the next cairn. Needless to say it was slow progress.

I am so tired I am about to got to bed and it isn't even eight o'clock yet. I hope I can catch up on some sleep!

Day 154

I slept great last night. I could hear cars from a road so I put in ear plugs. Then I got nervous that I wouldn't hear Chameleon if she said something or any animals (aka bears) if they were around. I opted for one ear plug and surprisingly it worked great!

Today seemed to go by quite fast. The morning began with a climb up Wildcat Mountain. For a section I put my poles away because my hands were much more useful pulling myself up over rocks. We met a southbound hiker who was carrying extra food to give away to other hikers as trail magic.  Hikers never carry food to give away, it just weighs too much! We talked for a bit and found out he was from Romania.  I told him my mom had been there because she loves folk dancing. He then took out his iPod and played some Romanian music for me. If only we had been staying at the same shelter I could have done some folk dancing on the trail!

Looking back on Mount Washington

Late afternoon we left a hut knowing we could get water on the trail on our way to finding a camping spot. As we neared the top of the next mountain we got worried. Our guidebook had said there was water but there wasn't. I had less that a liter and the next listed water as in six miles. Not good. Thankfully a couple miles later water was trickling next to the trail. We filled our water bladders, cooked dinner, then found our camping spot. It is a legit stealth spot. We are far from the trail, not visible, but relatively level.

Day 155
The day was a bit easier than I had anticipated. At each view we came to it was easy to see that the worst of the Whites were behind us and the mountains ahead look a bit less intimidating.

At the end of the day we came to a shelter and were resting our feet as we were decided whether to head into town tonight, which meant walking two more miles, or waiting until the morning. As we sat there a weekend hiker talked to us a bit and was impressed that we had walked there all the way from Georgia. A few minutes later he came back with snacks and beer for us! We enjoyed our cold drinks, extra food, then felt rejuvenated enough to finish two miles so that we could have a full resting day tomorrow. We called the Yellow Deli, they picked us up, and now we're ready for bed with a roof over our heads.