tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199372962024-03-07T18:28:52.424-05:00MilestonesTraining, racing, hiking, and moreKenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-3199998473410252912017-09-07T08:26:00.001-04:002017-09-07T08:26:42.544-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 7 - Return to Mt. WashingtonLake of the Clouds Hut was a welcome port in a storm. Our hut croo for the night was an energetic bunch of volunteers filling in for the regulars, but they were on top of their game, and doted over Carmel as she warmed up after the trek.<br />
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Lake of the Clouds is the largest hut in the Whites, sleeping about 90, and was filled to capacity with reserved hikers and thru hikers sheltering from the elements. We shoehorned our way into our assigned bunkroom and hung our wet gear up best we could. It wasn't long after dinner that I found myself snug in my bunk and drifting off to sleep with my book and headlamp.<br />
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Morning found us rested and ready to make plans. The weather forecast was good - the clouds were expected to break and the winds die down. We decided that Traci and David would wait with Carmel at the hut for the weather to clear and then accompany her up to the summit of Mt. Washington, a mile and half or so away. Meanwhile, I'd hike 7 miles along Crawford Path, passing several more of the Presidential Range peaks: Mount Monroe, Mount Franklin, Mount Eisenhower, and Mount Pierce. Once I'd gotten the car, I'd drive 30 miles or so around the Whites and take the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail south was still in the clouds as I started my hike. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skies were breaking through by the time I skirted Mt. Eisehnower.</td></tr>
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With our plan in place, I slid back into my wet gear and started up the trail. The first few miles were foggy, but slivers of blue started to appear as I hiked. As the sun started to break through, I reflected on the mercurial weather of the Whites, and regretted the spectacular scenery I'd missed seeing the day before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridgeline hiking on the Crawford Path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QRH7OE6BVZFn6QNJ98KzdcXWJ3apmce_xl5Gfs2NHh-_RlVzuWEVVMGWUHdcEResu2BKrTOfqV-3PQQwpqF47jgQnTRhhrLrWOiNd2Djn4JCD1wepO9Sh5RHpXCYJMarlPOW/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+10+22+02+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QRH7OE6BVZFn6QNJ98KzdcXWJ3apmce_xl5Gfs2NHh-_RlVzuWEVVMGWUHdcEResu2BKrTOfqV-3PQQwpqF47jgQnTRhhrLrWOiNd2Djn4JCD1wepO9Sh5RHpXCYJMarlPOW/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+10+22+02+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An expansive view to the north, with the Mount Washington Hotel in the valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiker self portrait during a shoe-drying break on the slopes of Mount Monroe. Mount Eisenhower is in the foreground, with Mount Washington in the distance. Shoes are Altra Lone Peak 3.0.</td></tr>
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Today's hike almost made up for the loss. As the clouds lifted, I enjoyed spectacular views. To the north I could see the Mount Washington Hotel (site of the 1945 Bretton Woods Conference, for you history buffs), and back over my shoulder the distant peaks of the Presidential Range, with Mount Washington looming above them all.<br />
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After skirting Mt. Pierce, Crawford Path cut off from AT and descended towards Crawford Notch. A little history lesson --Crawford Path is the oldest continuously maintained footpath in the United States, blazed through the woods in 1819 by some enterprising locals who hoped to cash in on the tourist trade. A national historic register plaque and informative sign mark the southern terminus at Crawford Notch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYPNeOJJpRQyI3LU4TEmMwUtVj1BR7oQFmeSynGlOICMdhY-XG6ADicKNK8YDD2Gd-NKmHyO-PrnHFSehalL-0ishoSQK0uFUgNhKvCuq1kwpGkbODSYc9GqMBBZZjOIORla1/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+45+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYPNeOJJpRQyI3LU4TEmMwUtVj1BR7oQFmeSynGlOICMdhY-XG6ADicKNK8YDD2Gd-NKmHyO-PrnHFSehalL-0ishoSQK0uFUgNhKvCuq1kwpGkbODSYc9GqMBBZZjOIORla1/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+45+10+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawford Path plaque.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3HXTvHhtKvQj7q3t_Ss6T4svvitHP0OjxQFUwueT8CLySQfvczt7b3KXXgxMn6JydPE-YzoD2OSH1xbYz7-JAXrJ31fSjX1Q_fS9NJm_bImLqFreyYJRGi-_aVh5uaNjeYRW/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+52+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3HXTvHhtKvQj7q3t_Ss6T4svvitHP0OjxQFUwueT8CLySQfvczt7b3KXXgxMn6JydPE-YzoD2OSH1xbYz7-JAXrJ31fSjX1Q_fS9NJm_bImLqFreyYJRGi-_aVh5uaNjeYRW/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+52+47+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing at the trailhead - the end of the trail for me.</td></tr>
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After finishing my 7 or so miles, I tossed my pack in the car and began the drive around the mountains towards the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Text messages confirmed that Carmel, Traci, and David had reached the top of Mt. Washington. Carmel's ankle, while swollen from the sprain, held up well enough to get up the mountain, and they'd enjoyed the same blue skies I'd encountered as the day cleared.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQEUBlg8SnxNHf-qU9KtXVGBvx2yqPV4zpnGbRsQVYLIPO35TyWqOpuKR5sFc4YjBa0V1oCYa8k97SD35BNgC9RDhDJ8cBp3TqvkMp8e8iP8T-th2jqgoH-IUELazZYK5wlGQ/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+10+14+18+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQEUBlg8SnxNHf-qU9KtXVGBvx2yqPV4zpnGbRsQVYLIPO35TyWqOpuKR5sFc4YjBa0V1oCYa8k97SD35BNgC9RDhDJ8cBp3TqvkMp8e8iP8T-th2jqgoH-IUELazZYK5wlGQ/s640/Photo+Jul+28%252C+10+14+18+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel sets off for the summit. Lake of the Clouds in the background. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYvPynp-0-tbeKUQveU5GMnUpncnS3uU51tLRh-kg26cV3bkkRRIyC3z56eNxcBambNOGUvXsOszaGBNC22tmeqyS1jMeR7CV9bWJF4Fe_5iD4ZBw9RSzgLdl55rUUT_VVcNE/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+03+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYvPynp-0-tbeKUQveU5GMnUpncnS3uU51tLRh-kg26cV3bkkRRIyC3z56eNxcBambNOGUvXsOszaGBNC22tmeqyS1jMeR7CV9bWJF4Fe_5iD4ZBw9RSzgLdl55rUUT_VVcNE/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+03+17+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and Traci on the way up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWJyJwoJj-GhJJncTpkyQhOMdKOUXpuHkO70vgWnvYV96z4uSQifOgZGKWuEUOnFmFZaCE8e7CDzZhodTHVMVUPHjdmeUwYQqFyEQVpA4ixO5EEaitCGNyNDbmPGIAAiVX2k1/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+2+51+59+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWJyJwoJj-GhJJncTpkyQhOMdKOUXpuHkO70vgWnvYV96z4uSQifOgZGKWuEUOnFmFZaCE8e7CDzZhodTHVMVUPHjdmeUwYQqFyEQVpA4ixO5EEaitCGNyNDbmPGIAAiVX2k1/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+2+51+59+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Lake of the Clouds Hut from Mt. Washington.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgdlePpFjnjD3iNlh4EwtVxueQpdL9_KEfEKImz3msoqjZ_Z7UoyvcfygfHMZkQj9C9M3Sf0QB1MWg61ev-SYPT5nKjBZyOX3YxJ1cw-rQGCMS2n1eCgzBkpEItBetSjzdKbK/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+2+52+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgdlePpFjnjD3iNlh4EwtVxueQpdL9_KEfEKImz3msoqjZ_Z7UoyvcfygfHMZkQj9C9M3Sf0QB1MWg61ev-SYPT5nKjBZyOX3YxJ1cw-rQGCMS2n1eCgzBkpEItBetSjzdKbK/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+2+52+11+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south from the summit of Mt. Washington.</td></tr>
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As the rest of the crew took in the sights on Mt. Washington, I arrived at the Mt. Washington Auto Road. A private toll road that opened in 1861, its a daunting drive for anyone who doesn't like heights and narrow twisting roads without guardrails. Me, in other words. But eventually I reached the top and was reunited with the gang. A few summit pictures, and it was time to pack up the car and leave the trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wqFbmxzorWE3qu2JRfVssFnhfYH_RuMqsJAS4LQDv1amPSOzJELYCEclBwRLfT5AdDALgUJpqZPzFQEcQCoRB52sgG4H4hQB__fulbBoXeFdqRhR5FO4sRL1loSbFhzk_NWP/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+1+08+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wqFbmxzorWE3qu2JRfVssFnhfYH_RuMqsJAS4LQDv1amPSOzJELYCEclBwRLfT5AdDALgUJpqZPzFQEcQCoRB52sgG4H4hQB__fulbBoXeFdqRhR5FO4sRL1loSbFhzk_NWP/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+1+08+11+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Washington weather observatory. One of many buildings on the summit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwvsw6RturS0KbK9nRKUqD9KgosWoSuXaGIRn016Wf5ni4d9_WZj_8rrvkHT6A8NwpS6HXTMVTO1GIPnskRsoIuPyIZ015T0Tc_aTeY_faVhatAtDE59aY3m8XvjKWQsWmO7s/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+29+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwvsw6RturS0KbK9nRKUqD9KgosWoSuXaGIRn016Wf5ni4d9_WZj_8rrvkHT6A8NwpS6HXTMVTO1GIPnskRsoIuPyIZ015T0Tc_aTeY_faVhatAtDE59aY3m8XvjKWQsWmO7s/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+12+29+47+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mt. Washington Cog Railway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l7IswPl_sOzDB_GmvGkvV_VJfBD3LAjHwKwdLUzbgSqMksFSOdVQKWQDFwF82uUHhd3VqBELp3PXcMFq_cKcbt4raFE3nU6p0V0CxwBN6v8lVJUez2eZzJGYcPqVL2Fc1aZ4/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+3+01+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l7IswPl_sOzDB_GmvGkvV_VJfBD3LAjHwKwdLUzbgSqMksFSOdVQKWQDFwF82uUHhd3VqBELp3PXcMFq_cKcbt4raFE3nU6p0V0CxwBN6v8lVJUez2eZzJGYcPqVL2Fc1aZ4/s640/Photo+Jul+28%252C+3+01+29+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High point of our hike, at over 6200 feet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yA4OxJ_bBzLg1Job3P2-UOhATmz9cqQ68OEFY0Lz04wc8rVIfNnl91R4diih2_zHgyOwU4b1Gpu9SkVn2zlGOgfEqBR0hMmfsIVN_mGgl0fvKfLOuze9k7D-NtqEpnG8Fdsn/s1600/Photo+Jul+28%252C+3+02+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yA4OxJ_bBzLg1Job3P2-UOhATmz9cqQ68OEFY0Lz04wc8rVIfNnl91R4diih2_zHgyOwU4b1Gpu9SkVn2zlGOgfEqBR0hMmfsIVN_mGgl0fvKfLOuze9k7D-NtqEpnG8Fdsn/s400/Photo+Jul+28%252C+3+02+07+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She made it! </td></tr>
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<b>Next time -- Epilogue</b>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-63864028667404780302017-08-30T12:43:00.000-04:002017-08-30T12:43:26.038-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 6 - Bad Weather and an InjuryThe weather had been a topic of discussion ever since we'd reached Madison Spring Hut. We'd enjoyed beautiful blue skies and calm conditions on the way up to the hut, but preliminary forecasts for the next day's hike looked dire, with hiking in the clouds, high winds, and possibly severe thunderstorms and hail. The eagerly awaited after-breakfast weather report brought some reassurance though. While we could expect to hike in the clouds and deal with high winds all day, the expected thunderstorms and hail were replaced by a chance of rain and showers.Temperatures for the summits were forecast for the upper 40s. Not fun, but definitely doable with the right gear. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll find a weather forecast bulletin at every hut, complete with a convenient wind-chill chart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An appropriate warning.</td></tr>
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With the weather in mind, we completed our packing quickly and shrugged into our rain gear for the day's hike. The hike from Madison to Lake of the Clouds Hut is usually one of the highlights of a Whites traverse, with extensive views and many sections above tree line. Today we'd miss the views, and miss the shelter of the trees as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting morning lenticular cloud formation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visibility was basically nil as we started up the trail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel shrugs off bad weather.</td></tr>
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As we began our hike, the clouds descended upon us and the winds began to pick up - steadily at first, then with increasing intensity. The moisture of the clouds gave way to intermittent showers, with an occasional patter of sleet thrown in. The only good news was that the temperature was holding around 50 degrees, unlike the bone-chilling dampness of a few days before, when we'd dealt with temperatures in the low 40s.<br />
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After a few miles of hiking, the moment you fear occurred. With a yell, Carmel pitched off of the slick rocks she'd been traversing and hit the ground in obvious pain. I feared the worst - a broken leg - but she'd "only" sprained her ankle badly. It was still a serious situation. I'd packed an ace bandage, and we wrapped her ankle as best we could. Fortunately she could still walk, albeit at a slow, limping pace. A bad day on the trail had turned dangerous, with five miles to go and deteriorating weather. Aside from her injury, there was the danger of hypothermia as we spent extra time outside.<br />
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The next six hours were a slow progression through the fog, rain, slick rocks, and wind, from one trail landmark to then next. We bypassed the summit climb to Mt. Washington on a bypass trail, and finally reached the final mile downhill to the hut. Traci and David went ahead to let them know we were coming, and we struggled along, soaked to the skin and starting to shiver.<br />
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Suddenly the hut loomed up in front of us, along with David, carrying a travel mug of hot tea. We'd made it!<br />
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<b>Next time - A change in plans, and a return to Mt. Washington.</b><br />
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-3277584300949640512017-08-17T20:47:00.000-04:002017-08-17T20:47:53.827-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 5 - Back to the Alpine ZoneOur short break at Crawford Notch was busy but productive. After showers, we drove a few miles south to a campground at Crawford Notch State Park, where we dropped off Carmel and Traci to do the laundry, while David and I headed to the small town of Jackson to resupply at a local grocery store. Cleaned up and resupplied, we enjoyed a nice buffet dinner back at the lodge and hit the sack early.<br />
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The plan for the next leg was to shuttle north, hike back up into the mountains, and then head south to return to our car at the Highland Center - three days of hiking with stops at Madison Springs Hut and Lake of the Clouds Hut. After fueling with another great breakfast, we caught our shuttle and were soon at the Valley Way trailhead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No kidding folks - be prepared. At the Valley Way trailhead. </td></tr>
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Valley Way Trail takes a direct route up to ridge line, paralleling the course of a brook to the top, where the trail pops out within sight of Madison Springs Hut. The 4-mile trail is relatively easy until a 1/2 mile rock scramble at the top, and passes through some quiet woods until you hit the alpine zone. Despite having to swat mosquitoes at the lower elevations, we enjoyed a pleasant hike, highlighted by a curious red squirrel that took great interest in us when we took a snack break.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping to pick up a handout.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bees load up on the wildflowers.</td></tr>
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Madison Springs Hut occupies a dramatic location, directly on the lower slope of Mt. Madison to the north, with Mt. Adams looming overhead to the south. We'd arrived early, so had plenty of time to relax after snagging our bunks. We spent some time chatting with day hikers and thru-hikers, and while waiting got to see one of our croo members hiking in a packboard full of supplies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq51mZ57lotxsz1fqUzasQoVCOQW5s1IveoQt_MyYYF6kkSHaVJcNETnrPxdIlpNwuEQf6_Uy0557PfUGtYX0OsM8dXkgcPVNhzPxe5jBPHiqr6A6E0RiBTOalXJpZ_9laYTe/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+1+58+33+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq51mZ57lotxsz1fqUzasQoVCOQW5s1IveoQt_MyYYF6kkSHaVJcNETnrPxdIlpNwuEQf6_Uy0557PfUGtYX0OsM8dXkgcPVNhzPxe5jBPHiqr6A6E0RiBTOalXJpZ_9laYTe/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+1+58+33+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madison Springs Hut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizRtPfCQ34pz3i0RviB8qTGhkD90EE7rywBmbx_Q8H9yu2i1w0X0clGVa1xT7pCMFAVBsyGfCgn58aaMmXYHfF9UX5HLYMrKD_LNE6ygX3xP7qosxO5P8SJm2XZLhDoH0lW7O/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+2+05+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizRtPfCQ34pz3i0RviB8qTGhkD90EE7rywBmbx_Q8H9yu2i1w0X0clGVa1xT7pCMFAVBsyGfCgn58aaMmXYHfF9UX5HLYMrKD_LNE6ygX3xP7qosxO5P8SJm2XZLhDoH0lW7O/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+2+05+17+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and Traci arrive at the hut. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Croo member arrives with supplies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traci looks on with awe.</td></tr>
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After a little time for relaxation, David and I took off to summit Mt. Madison, while Traci and Carmel stayed behind to listen to a croo member give a talk and demonstrate the packboards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55c7Civn-_LFkaXuoV9C8sYo38s1pKleGgQb88uAOn8FXjlJdMsPR7h1G1jbKOGz4KgbjrAXce97SexeNTPcY5VG5uKBlswXwsqqigsGvDBWZhZgAyLQ1TsF7r6IZqhKvD9u3/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+4+59+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55c7Civn-_LFkaXuoV9C8sYo38s1pKleGgQb88uAOn8FXjlJdMsPR7h1G1jbKOGz4KgbjrAXce97SexeNTPcY5VG5uKBlswXwsqqigsGvDBWZhZgAyLQ1TsF7r6IZqhKvD9u3/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+4+59+36+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Mt. Adams from the summit of Mt. Madison. The rock cairns mark the trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Adams in the foreground, with Mt. Washington in the back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3OvYdXji7G95aWsvvHCRZGLR3EBw35tfgtrYlTB1kDyitdYIuAdifby-IJjYkQuaY4Ll94_OqNBdrCsfHpVW2WAuVwGHMV0GHuvE2oKOD8UWUR0yzICqPNkQsrQlHKDZgkD_/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+4+46+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3OvYdXji7G95aWsvvHCRZGLR3EBw35tfgtrYlTB1kDyitdYIuAdifby-IJjYkQuaY4Ll94_OqNBdrCsfHpVW2WAuVwGHMV0GHuvE2oKOD8UWUR0yzICqPNkQsrQlHKDZgkD_/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+4+46+06+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Washington. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2K4zfIteOl9Tr1k4KkbabZhyHg1_1Dg0TsB1Q9Z3J_rgM6hvTapjCuoMixkBkq9WvMqQAjA2giRs9H_bUWtStbvAFJJ7st8pDhUkXevra678qL2jHFJpS_UFf1UI9YruKgFy/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+5+37+50+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2K4zfIteOl9Tr1k4KkbabZhyHg1_1Dg0TsB1Q9Z3J_rgM6hvTapjCuoMixkBkq9WvMqQAjA2giRs9H_bUWtStbvAFJJ7st8pDhUkXevra678qL2jHFJpS_UFf1UI9YruKgFy/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+5+37+50+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel (above) and Traci (below) try on a packboard.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yViJIF-8jFNts3Thhp8sasNYrxw7qtXUUr6T1vIIE28xBYEGPC_0LM3WfI_ym1pcUCdkKjt8cR1-8xVYqLCIyAfdc5r9OsOToG_dvOb_SeQeVdydzbwzuNRKbp8S1-DrWHEG/s1600/Photo+Jul+26%252C+5+39+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yViJIF-8jFNts3Thhp8sasNYrxw7qtXUUr6T1vIIE28xBYEGPC_0LM3WfI_ym1pcUCdkKjt8cR1-8xVYqLCIyAfdc5r9OsOToG_dvOb_SeQeVdydzbwzuNRKbp8S1-DrWHEG/s640/Photo+Jul+26%252C+5+39+53+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our day ended with a short nature walk to an small lake above the hut. Our croo member guide was a great guide to the plants and geology of the area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our croo nature guide.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing on a large quartz outcropping. You'll find them scattered throughout the area in the vicinity of Mt. Washington.<br /></td></tr>
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With that, we called it a day. Tomorrow's path would take us over Mt. Washington to Lake of the Clouds Hut, the largest hut in the system, sleeping nearly 90. In the meanwhile, we awaited the morning weather forecast - there was talk of bad weather coming in...<br />
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<b>Next time - A challenging day</b><br />
<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-30632099763696792652017-08-14T11:25:00.001-04:002017-08-14T11:25:16.763-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 4 - Return to Crawford NotchAfter our rainy and cold hike to Zealand Falls Hut we settled in the the evening. We were the last group in for the day, so we scramble around to find empty bunks and places to hang up our wet gear before we could take the opportunity to relax.<br />
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Zealand Falls Hut wasn't my favorite. While the bunk rooms were recently remodeled, the common area was older and cramped, so it was difficult to find any place to relax. Even more difficult since the hut was full, and everyone was staying inside. A large number of our fellow guests were from a high school, participating in a pre-school year trip. Nice kids, once you broke the ice, which I did by taking on their ace chess player in a couple of games. He played a pretty scattered game, so I didn't have any trouble beating him.<br />
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We also killed some time getting to know a Dutch family who we'd first bumped into at Galehead Hut. Mom, dad, and three kids - they were having a great time in the mountains.<br />
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One other interesting sidelight of the evening was our guest "croo." The regular croo was off for the day to attend the annual all croos summer party at Galehead Hut, so a family of volunteers took over for them. While they tried their best, they didn't quite have the same polish and skills as our regular bunch, especially in the kitchen. Nonetheless, kudos to them for volunteering!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG9Mi_0KdYKckZ5Qb1MJTZ5zkYXJ66IcaV3lTPj9CAhFw0frIk6iqv2efksnBUz67EpqHHkeQ0ZuFE9b48DSf60JSJkbsPlRFZw_CF-HwdBS2yqrDl2PkjihdKiTmEGhxVUKD/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+8+42+54+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIG9Mi_0KdYKckZ5Qb1MJTZ5zkYXJ66IcaV3lTPj9CAhFw0frIk6iqv2efksnBUz67EpqHHkeQ0ZuFE9b48DSf60JSJkbsPlRFZw_CF-HwdBS2yqrDl2PkjihdKiTmEGhxVUKD/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+8+42+54+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudy, but at least no rain for today's hike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkUifpglflRBtufrhnZ2W64XJac87CYWN1cBdrbqPMpC-W5mRAkYbSbCqTi24wm2A8dHGCVBtfUHQKxKmpkY8ZfmASwUuk0Xs5olj3daq6vWX1jwO18ImIWlK_khhQbt3_YMl/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+8+43+25+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkUifpglflRBtufrhnZ2W64XJac87CYWN1cBdrbqPMpC-W5mRAkYbSbCqTi24wm2A8dHGCVBtfUHQKxKmpkY8ZfmASwUuk0Xs5olj3daq6vWX1jwO18ImIWlK_khhQbt3_YMl/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+8+43+25+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our school group hut mates at a morning meeting.</td></tr>
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After breakfast we crawled back into our damp clothes and shoes and prepared to hit the trail. Today was a pretty short hike, mainly down, to the Highland Center at Crawford Notch. There we'd be able to shower, wash clothes, resupply, and get ready for the next leg of the trip.<br />
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For the first time in several days, our trail took us out of the alpine and sub alpine forests down into lower elevations. More streams were in evidence, including an impressive beaver pond, and we observed many more flowers in later stages of growth than we had at the higher elevations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPeY3ckBElV-YdrQ1hLj14txVlUbDxgnPpAyybrMSsLBWlii_u4qS4lsk0NYTkffODp10txdwx6YVFj3AirdSqSiVRYORsNU1AvaJ35OS_OmZkCmhegVCus_WDIAprzCAEpbS/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+9+06+54+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPeY3ckBElV-YdrQ1hLj14txVlUbDxgnPpAyybrMSsLBWlii_u4qS4lsk0NYTkffODp10txdwx6YVFj3AirdSqSiVRYORsNU1AvaJ35OS_OmZkCmhegVCus_WDIAprzCAEpbS/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+9+06+54+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lowlands, after three days among the peaks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9rZKncll0ESDN8dnMFdh-Dz4yh_BBlBSQJRol9-XMd5UIEM4RNPTJZa15-HQ09y2PWpW_WvG7tBPIEDXdJdYm-RyCd5Fb5qhQ_KEj_JF2GXvguo0SpwSSGtxQE7rWeIhZUK/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+9+05+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9rZKncll0ESDN8dnMFdh-Dz4yh_BBlBSQJRol9-XMd5UIEM4RNPTJZa15-HQ09y2PWpW_WvG7tBPIEDXdJdYm-RyCd5Fb5qhQ_KEj_JF2GXvguo0SpwSSGtxQE7rWeIhZUK/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+9+05+58+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and Traci take advantage of an excellent bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely beaver pond.</td></tr>
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The lower elevations didn't end the rocks, which included a rough scramble up and over the shoulder of Tom Mountain, but after a while we began to descend along the stream leading to Crawford Notch. Encouragingly, we started seeing an increasing number of day hikers coming up from the Notch. We knew we were close!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTrossORH0J6X6dFfcN4kP8MptPNRVnPvCZ5U5KyMTRhN_ESc6IiRRTW6kPSUm-C5WfHnmIp_FyGpyvicjKt0ONQePV3G5aJ_6KKu0FZhXPgFWAz_NY-0Lj54FbmvDaJSTA86/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+11+55+35+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTrossORH0J6X6dFfcN4kP8MptPNRVnPvCZ5U5KyMTRhN_ESc6IiRRTW6kPSUm-C5WfHnmIp_FyGpyvicjKt0ONQePV3G5aJ_6KKu0FZhXPgFWAz_NY-0Lj54FbmvDaJSTA86/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+11+55+35+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss-covered rocks were a common sight. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNvMReIjZAxpG6zTXOhN0zK2FIZmRP-5madJICs6FsZfJ0fpJn8DYln5WI2BPHoU-eYXwHMICUSnPq4rVKlcjxM1Jt6oso2VJzCDFY9bUKV54a_SlQw7Mj08y5ZuMaFEwT3Gz/s1600/Photo+Jul+25%252C+11+56+30+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNvMReIjZAxpG6zTXOhN0zK2FIZmRP-5madJICs6FsZfJ0fpJn8DYln5WI2BPHoU-eYXwHMICUSnPq4rVKlcjxM1Jt6oso2VJzCDFY9bUKV54a_SlQw7Mj08y5ZuMaFEwT3Gz/s400/Photo+Jul+25%252C+11+56+30+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a break!</td></tr>
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A little after lunch time, we could hear US 302 carrying traffic through Crawford Notch, and we soon popped out of the woods near the Highland Center. Taking their ease and greeting us on the front lawn was our Dutch family, and we were happy to dry out in the sun with them while we waited on our rooms to be ready.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An international crew chills out at the Highland Center.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four days in the books!</td></tr>
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<b>Next time - Back on the trail!</b><br />
<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-46977781906809563792017-08-11T10:52:00.000-04:002017-08-11T10:52:56.907-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 3 - The Weather TurnsOur trip to this point had been a succession of glorious New England summer days. Sunny and warm, but never too hot. The forecast for our third day promised something different, though. "In the clouds, rain showers, winds 30-40 mph, and temperatures in the 40s" were promised for the high peaks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red dawn over Twin Mountain - the first climb of the day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds began lowering over the peaks as the morning began. </td></tr>
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Our hike for today was about 7 miles along the Twinway Trail, which the hut croo assured us was one of most scenic of the Whites. Although the first mile of the hike was a rocky scramble up Twin Mountain (4700'), the rest of the day promised ridge walking and a gradual descent to Zealand Falls Hut (2360'), the lowest in the hut system.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain gear on and ready to tackle the day!</td></tr>
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Rain began falling during breakfast, and we dressed for the conditions, with rainjackets, pants, and extra layers. Climbing up the steep ascent of Twin Mountain, the extra layers were a sweat-producing burden, but at the top we were happy to have them. Above treeline the temperature was 35 degrees, and we felt the full force of the 30-40 mph wind. No time to tarry - we were quickly ready to move on!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An inhospitable summit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit selfie - photobomb by Traci.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south towards Franconia Ridge and Mount Garfield. The only view we had all day.</td></tr>
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Fortunately, the trail descended along the ridge and into the sub-alpine forest of stunted trees and krumholz. It wasn't much shelter, but it helped. Meanwhile the clouds descended upon us and we walked in a dense fog, with the views to either side only imagined in the grayness. Despite our rain gear, we were all wet and chilled, so the only goal for the day was to keep moving. Even a short stop to pass out sandwiches for lunch left us shivering and cold. </div>
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As we descended the temperature gradually climbed, and we enjoyed some smooth even trail for large sections. Aside from one quick climb through gusty winds and sleet to cross a ridge line, we made relatively good time. </div>
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Approaching the hut, we descended further into a forest of larger trees and warmer temperatures. But by the time we walked in the door of the hut we were a cold and bedraggled group. Zealand Falls Hut is next to a swift-flowing stream with waterfalls. It would be a wonderful location on a warm summer day, but we were content to get inside, claim some bunks, and shift into drier clothes. </div>
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<b>Next - Return to Crawford Notch</b><br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-66862154132573157672017-08-09T08:45:00.000-04:002017-08-11T10:21:49.204-04:00Hiking the Whites 2017 - Hut LifeSo far you've heard me mention "huts" quite a bit, so lets take a little time and talk about the Appalachian Mountain Club hut system and what staying at a hut is like.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to leave the cozy confines of Galehead Hut on a blustery morning.</td></tr>
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The hut system in the Whites can trace its roots back to the 1880s, when a rude stone building sleeping 12 was erected in the shadow of Mount Madison, the site of the current Madison Springs Hut. Over the years huts have expanded and been remodeled or rebuilt as necessary to accommodate more travelers and account for the wear and tear of mountain conditions.<br />
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<b>Not your typical AT shelter</b><br />
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If you're familiar with the iconic open-sided shelters of the Appalachian Trail, throw out those preconceptions - the White Mountain huts are nothing like those. Every hut has some common attributes: a dining area for eating or relaxing, a small library, several bunkrooms accommodating a dozen or more hikers, and indoor bathrooms with composting toilets and cold running water. Each hut is staffed by a "croo" of college students, who prepare and serve dinner and breakfast, and your bunk is outfitted with three wool blankets and a pillow. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunks at the Madison Spring Hut</td></tr>
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<b>Off the grid</b><br />
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Even the easiest huts to reach are several miles from the nearest trailhead, so you're truly living off-grid. Cooking fuel is propane, airlifted by helicopter at the start of each season, and power is supplied by either solar, wind, or hydro power. With the lowering costs of solar and lithium batteries, solar is the most common power source. Electricity is rationed tightly. With only one exception that I saw, there were no power outlets for charging devices, and lighting was generally restricted to the common areas of the hut. Bring your headlamp - I found that I needed mine during the day in some of the bunkrooms! As for supply, many of the staples are also airlifted in, but croo members continue the tradition of hauling loads of perishables via packboard on an almost daily basis. It's an impressive site to see!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A croo member hefts in a load. She's completing a 4 mile trip with 3500' of elevation gain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel models the latest packboard style.</td></tr>
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<b>A day in the life</b><br />
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When you reach the destination of your hut for the night, you're greeted by a croo member at the desk/camp store, where they check you off the reservation list and tell you which bunk room you're in. Then it's a mad scurry to get the bunk you want. Some like the lower levels, but I didn't mind being on the second or third levels. You spread our your sheet or sleeping bag liner, arrange your blankets and pillows, and hang up your gear on whatever hooks you can find (some huts have plenty, some not nearly enough - a real challenge when it's been a wet day).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The common area at Madison Spring Hut</td></tr>
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After staking your claim, it's time to hang out, read, socialize, have a cup of tea, or explore the area around the hut until the highlight of the evening - dinner! Served promptly at 6 PM, dinner is simple fare, filling, and almost universally good. Everything is served family-style, so you quickly get to know your hut mates as you ask for more bread, salt and pepper, second helpings, and pass around the food. A sample menu might include: creamy tomato soup with cornbread, green salad, pulled pork with rolls, mashed potatoes, plus brownies and coffee for desert.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time at Madison Spring Hut</td></tr>
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Dinner is also when the croo introduces themselves. All college students, with a northeastern emphasis, many are doing their second or third summers - it's a highly prized summer job. Post dinner time consists of naturalist programs, more socializing, games, or more. After a day of hiking and a big meal, most hut guests are ready to turn in by the time it's lights out at 9:30.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast time is croo skit time - an opportunity to tell us to fold our blankets, pack out our trash, and leave a tip for the croo!</td></tr>
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Morning wakeup call comes at 6:30. Usually the croo sings a song, but at Greenleaf Hut one croo member recited poetry. My favorite wakeup was at Galehead Hut, where the croo did a fine rendition of Gillian Welch's "Miss Ohio." A hearty breakfast follows at 7 AM, followed by the croo skit and the weather report. As the hikers depart, the croo tidies up and awaits the next bunch to come down the trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-lYDdGZWUNTF1jbpS0muZGApIF-er8_GhedM29Ly8X5Uclrr7fSa63nhQqujujZQ1ZaC7EfaFwHEUF7D4w1nF-XNQvRRVVFH9r8YHOF4omiiDtjYWDJK5QwuWR708aM_KNw/s1600/Photo+Jul+27%252C+7+50+45+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGI-lYDdGZWUNTF1jbpS0muZGApIF-er8_GhedM29Ly8X5Uclrr7fSa63nhQqujujZQ1ZaC7EfaFwHEUF7D4w1nF-XNQvRRVVFH9r8YHOF4omiiDtjYWDJK5QwuWR708aM_KNw/s400/Photo+Jul+27%252C+7+50+45+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather forecast is a highlight of the morning. </td></tr>
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<b>Cost/benefit</b><br />
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The hut system makes the peaks of the Whites accessible to a wide range of people. We saw a blend of seasoned hikers, day hikers, families, school groups, and guided groups. Some were out for a night or two, others had more ambitious itineraries, like our 7-day tip. That creates a lot of demand for the space available. In our case, I made reservations in January and still had to scramble to put together an itinerary that fit our schedule. And huts aren't free. An average night at a hut will cost about $100-$115 per person. Worth it, in my estimation, but quite different from the freedom associated with hiking on the Appalachian Trail nearly everywhere else.<br />
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<b>The thruhiker conundrum </b><br />
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That brings me to the final issue of the hut system. The huts provide a great service to many, and help preserve the sub-alpine and alpine ecosystems of the mountains by concentrating activity into specific locations. But to Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, the huts are a mixed blessing. Free shelters and campsites are generally located well off the trail in the Whites, and many thruhikers can't afford the cost of the huts, let alone predict their schedule far enough in advance to reserve space. The solution is "work for stay."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3QBIb6NL44UZa0rZS4Yvb6NpVwbCUQPE3cgBB-zTgrHvZLo9txIRcH37mneQdTQQvh-EnGB80NcwPbBL6Z2xTmAQ9UbxeJYovS6g5aqItgP8brWGiu8_0_XyZJuF6et-537B/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+34+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3QBIb6NL44UZa0rZS4Yvb6NpVwbCUQPE3cgBB-zTgrHvZLo9txIRcH37mneQdTQQvh-EnGB80NcwPbBL6Z2xTmAQ9UbxeJYovS6g5aqItgP8brWGiu8_0_XyZJuF6et-537B/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+34+06+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of three thruhikers who shared Galehead Hut with us. In exchange for leftovers and a spot on the floor, they assisted the croo with morning cleanup after their stay. </td></tr>
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Work for stay for AT hikers is an old tradition at the huts. Thrus who request work for stay will be assigned some task to perform, and are fed leftovers from the meals. Then they'll get a spot on the dining room floor to spend the night. Not a bad deal really, compared to a typical AT shelter. But as the number of prospective thruhikers has increased, the system is undoubtedly being strained. I saw as many as a dozen thruhikers crashed on the floor on some mornings, with more being turned away, particularly if they arrived early in the day. <br />
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<b>Next time - Day Three, and Weather in the Whites</b>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-68968050367535408622017-08-06T20:36:00.000-04:002017-08-11T10:22:21.170-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 2 - From Greenleaf to Galehead (and the trials of Garfield Ridge)At the end of the first day, we came down off of Franconia Ridge to our first hut stay at Greenleaf Hut. Greenleaf Hut is popular due to a convenient trailhead, so it was already packed with hikers for the weekend. We snagged our bunks and settled in for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EEQrd9YxYm2i4ilqMEndlZ42ao_yhMrz2Wa4c8i5mifJXFkvBvLOqHMiDFKg67xTeKcHmjMpByUqD5KkzPzmh4O133CaPmnSIurM07vaGtF3fR9S-pYSFzRRBh47DUR161Rm/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+6+06+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EEQrd9YxYm2i4ilqMEndlZ42ao_yhMrz2Wa4c8i5mifJXFkvBvLOqHMiDFKg67xTeKcHmjMpByUqD5KkzPzmh4O133CaPmnSIurM07vaGtF3fR9S-pYSFzRRBh47DUR161Rm/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+6+06+56+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with 40-50 of our close friends</td></tr>
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The huts offer more than just meals and a bunk. Each evening after dinner, one of the "croo" will give a naturalists talk about some aspect of the local ecology. In our case, we attended a well-done talk about the history of logging in the Whites. The hut system is worth an entire post on its own, which you'll get shortly!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP8RWwkBYWueSu-ttUyWTzRyiB412L4Lz2KIA5JjXeU0qLiUTLQvTNNofFvSxYuC3e2b3U80vvXjca5shaC_OtRYp5lsU_kS8XUhrYniSoTdBSIZGa0ZMAO0wFeRqSsfhOxDT/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+7+44+09+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP8RWwkBYWueSu-ttUyWTzRyiB412L4Lz2KIA5JjXeU0qLiUTLQvTNNofFvSxYuC3e2b3U80vvXjca5shaC_OtRYp5lsU_kS8XUhrYniSoTdBSIZGa0ZMAO0wFeRqSsfhOxDT/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+7+44+09+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our naturalist prepares for her talk</td></tr>
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One nice thing about the huts is a strictly enforced "lights out" at 9:30. And in five nights at the huts I was never disturbed after nights out. If you don't count snoring, that is.<br />
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Our goal for Day Two was to hike back up to Mount Lafayette, then head north along the Garfield Ridge Trail to Galehead Hut. Aside from a rocky 1000 foot ascent at the beginning, the elevation profile looked pretty smooth. But we'd been warned the night before not to underestimate the challenges of this section of trail.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Mount Lafayette</td></tr>
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While we stepped off under blue skies, by the time we reached the summit of Mount Lafayette, clouds had rolled in - a reminder of how quickly the weather can change in the mountains. Fortunately it cleared as we descended, and we enjoyed ideal weather for the rest of the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDWXJcZN60kPwwsmNJOtIDjkknOKgB616dlItSord5dS2EuEPJN41tq3WNjNqt8sm3ElyvXdDFn-G6vbW7F-ldH03uKU_IlRNxQNaJlbeF3wwohXfztxf1B6MhcveSJhUxpv4/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+10+22+02+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDWXJcZN60kPwwsmNJOtIDjkknOKgB616dlItSord5dS2EuEPJN41tq3WNjNqt8sm3ElyvXdDFn-G6vbW7F-ldH03uKU_IlRNxQNaJlbeF3wwohXfztxf1B6MhcveSJhUxpv4/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+10+22+02+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view back towards Greenleaf Hut</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the clouds</td></tr>
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I've hiked over a 1000 miles of the AT, and seen a lot of trail -- both good and bad. The trails of the Whites presented some of the toughest hiking I've ever encountered. The trails are well-maintained, but constantly throw challenges at you. Rocky footing is the norm, along with steep ups and downs, with a healthy dose of bouldering thrown in as well. Topographically the Garfield Ridge Trail didn't look like much, but it was a constant challenge. Hats off to the hardy New Englanders who get to enjoy these trails on a regular basis!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRyV4NO3TJRanokEROcPh4LjmtXORVqq-LQ29wDipg0b9Y042NyCWrZleOL58FAWWeTDiPU-E7L8ifMPTP9p5BlOhyoehDYpUQofK74zm5tGE7nDOXTVMsp43FD5A-LrOIMU1/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+11+34+09+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRyV4NO3TJRanokEROcPh4LjmtXORVqq-LQ29wDipg0b9Y042NyCWrZleOL58FAWWeTDiPU-E7L8ifMPTP9p5BlOhyoehDYpUQofK74zm5tGE7nDOXTVMsp43FD5A-LrOIMU1/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+11+34+09+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel scoots down a section of steep rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G8BktTib4jKyuuKbgcl1crIHky6LEZGMsFQVjyu0Wjz4yv4IMfxf9sAKrX8lcbVwvl7oj5EL7nNryA1tLsNXGwXsIFp2CHbVR2Zyyl2q7Y9RxrcASTvjWHMpp_Tb7Esqfx4I/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+3+49+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G8BktTib4jKyuuKbgcl1crIHky6LEZGMsFQVjyu0Wjz4yv4IMfxf9sAKrX8lcbVwvl7oj5EL7nNryA1tLsNXGwXsIFp2CHbVR2Zyyl2q7Y9RxrcASTvjWHMpp_Tb7Esqfx4I/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+3+49+53+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another dicey section of trail.</td></tr>
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The one significant bump on the topo map for the hike was Mount Garfield. After passing a lovely pond at the base, we inched up a steep climb to the summit. The 360-degree views were totally worth the effort, and the summit was a fine place to take a break.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugLJBjvTutpm2Hn67v-5Imj0MYhqXZ-l9bCqDO0ABD-RazxwcUxx-bBp2o79ycNB2P9RyY2iA47SBxGpJLyyXSeqMJIV7BrHCvFJRttx5g0kLqNdJseew7gZFJY9e3x5EC3jf/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+1+45+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugLJBjvTutpm2Hn67v-5Imj0MYhqXZ-l9bCqDO0ABD-RazxwcUxx-bBp2o79ycNB2P9RyY2iA47SBxGpJLyyXSeqMJIV7BrHCvFJRttx5g0kLqNdJseew7gZFJY9e3x5EC3jf/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+1+45+23+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garfield Pond, a lovely sight at 3000+ feet of elevation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNxitvZIcDKC9-6poOiLEm-Quc_qdBmIsP0wmCYvzYW6E6KZWtywz1VUHe_NOfyOdYyR3rUCmQHf8i3nA-CXVfZojhdQeqRXtunI7IP5VANCoDi83ePbGvc9gSmp6bY8ye9pZ/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+2+34+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNxitvZIcDKC9-6poOiLEm-Quc_qdBmIsP0wmCYvzYW6E6KZWtywz1VUHe_NOfyOdYyR3rUCmQHf8i3nA-CXVfZojhdQeqRXtunI7IP5VANCoDi83ePbGvc9gSmp6bY8ye9pZ/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+2+34+56+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel takes a break on Mount Garfield. That's Mount Lafayette in the background, with Garfield Ridge extending to the right. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa_KYUyiMkQxRSwJgUqJjjg5pCWhtPJBr1-f6qEi5WZyNhDOjPROeiuc9hrk4itV04JyHdaA7vf0JOg4nbJl1MLSvvjyEfNrt-prMuIJwhgFDcKn5aFeuyTcNNSjDV5DMSLQE/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+2+33+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="1600" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa_KYUyiMkQxRSwJgUqJjjg5pCWhtPJBr1-f6qEi5WZyNhDOjPROeiuc9hrk4itV04JyHdaA7vf0JOg4nbJl1MLSvvjyEfNrt-prMuIJwhgFDcKn5aFeuyTcNNSjDV5DMSLQE/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+2+33+47+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south from Mount Garfield towards Franconia Ridge. The foundation is from an old firetower.</td></tr>
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From Mount Garfield, we still had about 3 tough miles to go to Galehead Hut. The combination of tough terrain and climbing meant we got in after 6 PM - dinner time - but the very accommodating crew at the hut was happy to serve us late. </div>
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Galehead Hut was quite a different experience from Greenleaf. It's more remote than Greenleaf, and smaller, with a more relaxed vibe than the somewhat frantic environment of Greenleaf. There was plenty of room to stretch out and relax after dinner, and even catch up with some north-bound AT hikers. With less than 400 miles to go, they were anxiously anticipating getting into Maine to finish their journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSRWefTtw1W7fqL0AzmYCvgCabQB7Y9-w5mygyyhBroCqSZ7FtjgVSSe008cgjggewQR1kBx7JqbrNABcxIZtlnWcj9l9Nyc5SIECAh9JoY0kihTgAtl7sQfzsGHn83SgSfCw/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+34+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSRWefTtw1W7fqL0AzmYCvgCabQB7Y9-w5mygyyhBroCqSZ7FtjgVSSe008cgjggewQR1kBx7JqbrNABcxIZtlnWcj9l9Nyc5SIECAh9JoY0kihTgAtl7sQfzsGHn83SgSfCw/s400/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+34+06+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traci and Carmel chat with NOBO thru-hikers. </td></tr>
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<b>Next time - </b>I'll talk about the hut experience, and then we get our first taste of bad weather.</div>
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-14800380629148384672017-08-05T20:29:00.000-04:002017-08-11T10:22:38.006-04:00Hiking the Whites Day 1 - Up to Franconia RidgeAfter enjoying breakfast, our AMC shuttle picked us up promptly at 9 AM. The drive to our trailhead at Lafayette Campground took us back several Forest Service roads to other trailheads, where we dropped off other hikers. Carmel saw a bear crossing a river, and Traci a moose grazing by the side of the road. Nothing for me...<br />
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Back on the main roads, we retraced our steps from yesterday through Franconia Notch. It was Saturday during the peak summer season, and it looked like a large chunk of the northeast had decided to go for a hike. Parking lots were full, and cars clogged the sides of the roads. A steady stream of day hikers accompanied us as we began our way up the long climb of the Falling Waters Trail to our destination - the bare heights of Franconia Ridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_9AKRVlpyXXlKP52kmYV3RBFO3cXdGGKmwC9mDpdy4BYTS8OupEh2pZka01xW3D3rVRftDxOAL4p_n5npzclAQ8us4Nw0vCwvTRRzc9ek55sCNzqeygIoau7WAwEsrHDFdsB/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+10+28+13+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_9AKRVlpyXXlKP52kmYV3RBFO3cXdGGKmwC9mDpdy4BYTS8OupEh2pZka01xW3D3rVRftDxOAL4p_n5npzclAQ8us4Nw0vCwvTRRzc9ek55sCNzqeygIoau7WAwEsrHDFdsB/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+10+28+13+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We begin the journey!</td></tr>
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Falling Waters Trail didn't disappoint. For most of the way it paralleled a watercourse that descended off the ridge in a series of cataracts, several quite impressive. The trail is well-maintained, but also quite rocky and rough - a preview of coming attractions, it turned out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJfWgs5jbEbllqNun_0OW-AKTht2X5DQwtrPdqqusbKEacnSydt0yee1cAvCdryc54LPVuuhXi2V9KXAfzRpw-_jNumK-FXyJJVmfsq_xYXTH0oTOhma_d_z-MF7XUwzbbAC/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+11+28+35+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJfWgs5jbEbllqNun_0OW-AKTht2X5DQwtrPdqqusbKEacnSydt0yee1cAvCdryc54LPVuuhXi2V9KXAfzRpw-_jNumK-FXyJJVmfsq_xYXTH0oTOhma_d_z-MF7XUwzbbAC/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+11+28+35+AM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the falls - see the hikers at the top for scale. </td></tr>
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After a long climb, and lots of foot traffic, we came out of the woods to the open spaces of Franconia Ridge. Stretching away to the north were the peaks of Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette, both topping out at over 5000 feet. We broke for lunch with the crowds (note - don't expect a solitary experience on Franconia Ridge on a Saturday), chatted with a Ridge Runner, and started north along the ridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ravens are in abundance on the ridge. They've learned to pick up food scraps from hikers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMXqmgdrEHximVtDFclz94CYh19tpRAjFeK_BfebcBy5NjFpKf55ph9eZ02K0T4Nprnngsy8ozfV8jz6hEWYk93sPCoRpe8ENIXAs8frBD5dAeFKB5m2cWu7lwFHKIN6fOeU2/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+2+35+45+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMXqmgdrEHximVtDFclz94CYh19tpRAjFeK_BfebcBy5NjFpKf55ph9eZ02K0T4Nprnngsy8ozfV8jz6hEWYk93sPCoRpe8ENIXAs8frBD5dAeFKB5m2cWu7lwFHKIN6fOeU2/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+2+35+45+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and I check in with a Ridge Runner. </td></tr>
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The trail along Franconia Ridge is relatively short, but extremely memorable. Looking to the northeast you can pick out the major peaks of the Presidential Range, while looking west and down you can pick out highway cutting through Franconia Notch, and reflect on what a climb you've made to arrive at the top. Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette ranged ahead of us, before the descent of 1000 feet to our destination for the night, Greenleaf Hut.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehXG7GCuew8bgHr1Rp9-MggbSlKK68-0svEBH4XNdH12OLH8l755H18MWaRBXEVC7pLFW8HdmmVGiUlFvEgBJXQ3afNFB_8RslL7r2c8T3YMHr9mfGwfTE3fyAQ02ufi4ylNf/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+2+46+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehXG7GCuew8bgHr1Rp9-MggbSlKK68-0svEBH4XNdH12OLH8l755H18MWaRBXEVC7pLFW8HdmmVGiUlFvEgBJXQ3afNFB_8RslL7r2c8T3YMHr9mfGwfTE3fyAQ02ufi4ylNf/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+2+46+07+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and Traci step out towards Mount Lincoln.</td></tr>
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Much care has been taken to channel the trail into a narrow path along the top of the ridge, to avoid damage to the fragile plants in this alpine zone. Fortunately for us, the weather was beautiful. We'd yet to experience the variety of weather the Whites can throw at you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY3SVvpvBDAv19IvccGRVe0hFoauZZYpuotjRo1TxXc1_d15XcISvbr8GEEe4znwJVybIn5Aqf0V3Q0MkIhdQEydizzgkpTGFaIdurWuCCPxk4Bm33zXQ3E-bF0YLBY8b5EiS/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+3+25+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY3SVvpvBDAv19IvccGRVe0hFoauZZYpuotjRo1TxXc1_d15XcISvbr8GEEe4znwJVybIn5Aqf0V3Q0MkIhdQEydizzgkpTGFaIdurWuCCPxk4Bm33zXQ3E-bF0YLBY8b5EiS/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+3+25+56+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel ascends Mount Lincoln</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVIH2aQJzfl6ILnN2tMg10_t6u426Hc28JGodfepg4Rgy-rjVwYVWwvxEMnZzlw_H6DlruL5QJy7um5fi_5596pgZxr86XgNS_xVZ4idKit4cIOXCZurgCcjPR0HCtZWrnBGj/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+3+39+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVIH2aQJzfl6ILnN2tMg10_t6u426Hc28JGodfepg4Rgy-rjVwYVWwvxEMnZzlw_H6DlruL5QJy7um5fi_5596pgZxr86XgNS_xVZ4idKit4cIOXCZurgCcjPR0HCtZWrnBGj/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+3+39+54+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iconic view, looking north towards Mount Lafayette</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjpxzBuVrwF3DTQDusPmRAH7buX0PvZrdbvMRjZsnoFM17kTpTwBMTg1MS5X31BepnwI90oPEJTzrSym-ksBbC_ajZIp2t1hq5R8cqz3P6Axufrb69Vn_CrFifcBjPsfSMaan/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+4+35+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjpxzBuVrwF3DTQDusPmRAH7buX0PvZrdbvMRjZsnoFM17kTpTwBMTg1MS5X31BepnwI90oPEJTzrSym-ksBbC_ajZIp2t1hq5R8cqz3P6Axufrb69Vn_CrFifcBjPsfSMaan/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+4+35+17+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and I bag a peak!</td></tr>
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After a few tough miles we'd reached the summit of Mount Lafayette and took some time to take in the view, including Greenleaf Hut, 1000 feet below us on the shoulder of the mountain. It was time to head down for dinner and to grab some shut eye. Our mileage was only around six miles, but we'd put in some work to get there!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSyNAjPH7JLFtRLR5inCewHHTvyKLy9zVVPLAfVjct2FyTduUz5JYSPwU9_MKAMpcabt57MseaPudkRWsWk2wwUHF7n4WOWHVMo1G447y_Mrw20MiCykEkB05BfQg5PZ2MwGr/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+4+43+39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSyNAjPH7JLFtRLR5inCewHHTvyKLy9zVVPLAfVjct2FyTduUz5JYSPwU9_MKAMpcabt57MseaPudkRWsWk2wwUHF7n4WOWHVMo1G447y_Mrw20MiCykEkB05BfQg5PZ2MwGr/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+4+43+39+PM.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and Traci (foreground) descend towards Greenlear Hut (upper left).</td></tr>
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<b>Next Time - Greenleaf Hut to Galehead Hut</b></div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-18083806295689753592017-08-04T17:37:00.002-04:002017-08-05T19:51:31.331-04:00Hiking the Whites - On to the north!Of course, we needed to get to New Hampshire before we could hike. After consulting with Traci and David, we settled on a plan. They'd fly into Newark late on Thursday, we'd pick them up on Friday morning, and we'd head north to begin the hike on Saturday. Accordingly, we made reservations at their hotel and drove the first leg on Thursday afternoon.<br />
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The vagaries of 21st century air travel soon threw a monkey wrench in our plans. After a late departure from Denver, our companions were stuck in Washington, with no way to get to Newark. A quick change in plans rerouted them to Boston, so we struck north in the morning and braved the congestion of the north east to pick them up. Eventually all worked out, and we succeeded in getting the four of us, and all of our gear, into the trusty Subaru.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcyRbQ8_w671b2VQvpcwAWj7iDDCsauDrn_j8hx2alWYXA2eEkcz1Ay9y49DRvpSG7X4HMcnkgyKIa71CJAaFArLhFFeW8q3YoadNchS7wv4q0vxo1beaDfqaSM9hnEHj2f-Z/s1600/Photo+Jul+21%252C+5+50+43+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcyRbQ8_w671b2VQvpcwAWj7iDDCsauDrn_j8hx2alWYXA2eEkcz1Ay9y49DRvpSG7X4HMcnkgyKIa71CJAaFArLhFFeW8q3YoadNchS7wv4q0vxo1beaDfqaSM9hnEHj2f-Z/s400/Photo+Jul+21%252C+5+50+43+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and Traci settle in for the ride north.</td></tr>
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To reach the <a href="http://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/Lodges/highland/index.cfm">AMC Highland Center</a>, our home base, we passed through Franconia Notch, the westernmost of the three "notches" that funnel traffic through the Whites. Franconia Notch travels past impressive mountains on both sides. To the right, we could see Mount Lincoln and Mount Lafayette, two of the peaks we'd hike over the next day. And on the left, impressive rock walls loomed up - very different from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyClP-QgFm4xctnJtHt3nKPbxls07t7Pu7ehTcNW7DBdUPq0qRPtToCacf-QNGZEeekH2Z9I5fh0G69waqXaWV_gbcl8m7irTyKazs-knXUtq9Obc0EKuPvgeOJ8khoDZz4cV/s1600/Photo+Jul+21%252C+6+53+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyClP-QgFm4xctnJtHt3nKPbxls07t7Pu7ehTcNW7DBdUPq0qRPtToCacf-QNGZEeekH2Z9I5fh0G69waqXaWV_gbcl8m7irTyKazs-knXUtq9Obc0EKuPvgeOJ8khoDZz4cV/s400/Photo+Jul+21%252C+6+53+53+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, got some pretty nice peaks in NH!</td></tr>
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The Highland Center didn't disappoint. A comfortable, modern structure with an old-time mountain lodge look, it's simply appointed and comfortable. Dinner and breakfast are included with the rate, and the clientele's fashion leans heavily towards hiking boots and fleece. The AMC runs <a href="http://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodging-shuttle.cfm">daily shuttles</a> to popular trailheads, so it's a perfect base for exploring the Whites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzOpgMpNF-tJZ0ORR9UH7ztDuP5sJUBBfON4zSGrvLO7ySOrWV2lvV4biTsOLG_qzCTeKdZUiChTpkJ8YRK70k6wBEBHXiiz7VEId4_-FEpGfv15vYc8cyNlpb4i8wQmGNGlX/s1600/Photo+Jul+22%252C+8+06+07+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzOpgMpNF-tJZ0ORR9UH7ztDuP5sJUBBfON4zSGrvLO7ySOrWV2lvV4biTsOLG_qzCTeKdZUiChTpkJ8YRK70k6wBEBHXiiz7VEId4_-FEpGfv15vYc8cyNlpb4i8wQmGNGlX/s400/Photo+Jul+22%252C+8+06+07+AM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Highland Center</td></tr>
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After checking in, checking our gear, and stocking up on a few snacks, it was time to enjoy dinner (an excellent buffet), and relax a little before turning in. Our shuttle left at 9 AM the next day - our adventure was nearly upon us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nVVQ-FjID_RcR0EkZKvb0SyYxZ3zkBHrUgLy17EfANRU3vUS9uGNjzE-1hwprjT2hG-AKybm3R59f4_C3OWzHhyphenhyphenlpv0bmtltRSsMxk5j85cROklYVyQeQxgVqSU1_4R1j4Cb/s1600/Photo+Jul+21%252C+7+44+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nVVQ-FjID_RcR0EkZKvb0SyYxZ3zkBHrUgLy17EfANRU3vUS9uGNjzE-1hwprjT2hG-AKybm3R59f4_C3OWzHhyphenhyphenlpv0bmtltRSsMxk5j85cROklYVyQeQxgVqSU1_4R1j4Cb/s400/Photo+Jul+21%252C+7+44+08+PM.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel and I relax before the big day.</td></tr>
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<b>Next - The Adventure Begins</b>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-56587716784814315872017-08-04T11:24:00.000-04:002017-08-04T11:24:04.462-04:00Hiking the Whites - PrologueThe White Mountains of New Hampshire present some unique qualities to the Appalachian Trail section hiker. First, they boast some of the highest peaks and toughest terrain to be found on the AT. Second, there's an abundance of hiking above treeline, in alpine and sub-alpine terrain -- a result of the tough weather conditions that are common in the mountains. Lastly, they're the only place along the AT (or in North America, to my knowledge) that boasts an organized system of "huts" for lodging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN9csSkva4iO3z4G0lyUnEPMKq-nV58-7OG9GBFW5mp_FY852lOwEnKKIAyKs8f4Bt597qnBo0PBG1OmYF07m-KdM29PFFHN3zOeIq4QnjBt5h9MLAz7A9MD4upRD4HPLtFfB/s1600/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+24+41+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeN9csSkva4iO3z4G0lyUnEPMKq-nV58-7OG9GBFW5mp_FY852lOwEnKKIAyKs8f4Bt597qnBo0PBG1OmYF07m-KdM29PFFHN3zOeIq4QnjBt5h9MLAz7A9MD4upRD4HPLtFfB/s320/Photo+Jul+23%252C+8+24+41+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel leaving Greenleaf Hut on a sunny morning.</td></tr>
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These huts aren't your typical AT three-sided shelter. The hut system in the Whites is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), and each hut is staffed by a paid "croo" of college students each summer. Reservations must be made - for about $100 a night - and for that fee you'll get a bunk with pillow and three blankets, plus dinner and breakfast. The huts hold anywhere from about 40 to nearly 90 hikers, and are a popular way to get out in the mountains without having to haul a tent, food, etc. They're an awesome way to experience the Whites.<br />
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<b>Our Plan</b><br />
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Hiking hut-to-hut made it possible for Carmel to join me for a section of the AT, and we quickly enlisted our friends Traci and David, experienced hikers with a Colorado Trail thru-hike under their belts, as partners in our adventure. The plan was to hike the Whites for seven days, using the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch as our starting point and mid-hike break - a chance to grab a shower, do laundry, and relax before the second leg.<br />
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<b>Leg 1</b><br />
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The first leg of the trip was planned for 4 days and 3 nights. We'd take a shuttle from Highland Center to the trail head at Liberty Springs, hike up to Franconia Ridge via the Falling Waters Trail, and hike north along the AT to Greenleaf Hut, Galehead Hut, and Zealand Falls Hut. From Zealand Falls, a short hike back to Highland Center to refit and regroup.<br />
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<b>Leg 2</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM3ZxL9_TChuAX_oeLTQEMofdDfDm1KeBIaCag4koFkw7TdHEtjgFCXrhfKiWgeRaTuWpGYOX-0B1YrNR7XQQ1XOP_pifEJrQPtA3c8aCP41uaOWKloNGAe7sQLNIMVyImSNZ/s1600/map+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="271" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM3ZxL9_TChuAX_oeLTQEMofdDfDm1KeBIaCag4koFkw7TdHEtjgFCXrhfKiWgeRaTuWpGYOX-0B1YrNR7XQQ1XOP_pifEJrQPtA3c8aCP41uaOWKloNGAe7sQLNIMVyImSNZ/s400/map+2.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>
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After a night at the Highland Center, the plan was to shuttle north, hike to the Madison Spring Hut via the Valley Way Trail, then head south to Lake of the Clouds Hut, via Mount Washington, and finish again at Highland Center. This leg would be 3 days and 2 nights. In all, we'd hike for seven days, and visit five of the seven huts in the system. Along the way, we'd pass by or go over the biggest peaks in the Whites - the Presidential Range.<br />
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<b>Next - We Begin</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-45887277953675517262016-09-22T15:07:00.000-04:002016-09-22T15:08:08.569-04:00Day 12 - Downward to the Dam!The rain I'd experienced the day before stopped overnight, but the shelter remained wrapped in a cool, heavy mist as morning crept in. I'd set my alarm for 6 AM, but overslept and found myself stowing my gear well after 7 AM.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russell Field Shelter in the morning fog. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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With only 13.5 miles to go, and most of it downhill to Fontana Dam, I was anxious to get an early start and skipped my usual hot morning coffee for some "trail cold-brew" to go. Just add two packets of instant coffee to a liter of water, shake it up, and start walking.For some miles the fog lay heavy, but blue skies gradually broke through and it turned into a sunny day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shuckstack fire tower</td></tr>
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I gradually began running into hikers starting their own GSMNP traverses. For whatever reason, more people seem to hike the Smokies starting at the south and working north. It may be because the climb out of Fontana is not as steep and rugged as the route I took to enter the park. And trail conditions in the southern half of the park were generally smoother as well. In each case, I had to pass along the bad news about the lack of water at the next few shelters. Most seem well prepared for this, but a few looked rather concerned as I passed along the info I'd gleaned while hiking south.<br />
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With about 4 miles to go, I took the short side trail (uphill, of course) to the Shuckstack fire tower. The tower supports only a small observation platform at the top, while the remains of the foundations of a firewarden's cabin are located below. The climb was a bit daunting, given my natural aversion to heights, but the view was excellent, and I could clearly see Fontana Lake and Fontana Dam, my ultimate destination.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's an impressive view!</td></tr>
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After a quick lunch break, it was time for the final push homewards, and I found myself jogging along the trail as it went down the mountain - an interesting sensation with a 30-pound pack on your back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Fontana Dam.</td></tr>
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It was with real satisfaction that I strode the final yards across the top of Fontana Dam. 12 days, 175 miles, an average of 14 miles a day. Not Karl Meltzer speed, for sure, but pretty solid hiking over some big mountains and rough terrain. And best of all, nearly everything had gone according to plan. Yet I had one final surprise awaiting me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead battery...</td></tr>
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My trusty Subaru's battery was dead as a door nail. Fortunately the good people at the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center let me borrow their phone (no cell service at the dam), and I soon had AAA on the way. While waiting I talked to Samurai - the only true SOBO hiker I saw during the trip. Three months out from Maine, and with only 160 miles to go. Thin and ragged, but in good spirits.I offered a ride when my car got started, but he moved along before I was running again. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samurai checks his trail guide</td></tr>
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Eventually, I was on the way, with a new battery, a hot shower, and clean clothes. It was a great trip, and I'm looking forward to the future, when I can come back south to knock off the last miles between Fontana and Springer Mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9krHGxxi49TEJXytlkBghq4qNZh5DwDlx-D9xPt5xJvDfj2OPOeNlYjzoCdWHLSI4mLewsG7xxW14_gSU0k6ZYqX2k8iVW1EUpNDKImYK-c93tPYiXOGbkbcUZZgZ7X_Jxk/s1600/P1070047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK9krHGxxi49TEJXytlkBghq4qNZh5DwDlx-D9xPt5xJvDfj2OPOeNlYjzoCdWHLSI4mLewsG7xxW14_gSU0k6ZYqX2k8iVW1EUpNDKImYK-c93tPYiXOGbkbcUZZgZ7X_Jxk/s320/P1070047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My white knight pickup truck. </td></tr>
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-30843804529408803302016-09-20T01:14:00.001-04:002016-09-20T01:14:20.549-04:00Day 11 - Smoky Mountain rainK9/18/16 - It's 8 PM - hiker midnight - and my journey has almost concluded. I have the spacious Russell Field Shelter all to myself, and overhead I can hear the intermittent patter of water dripping from the leaves onto the metal and plexiglas roof, a reminder of today's events. <div><br></div><div>Today it rained. Except for some brief showers in the early morning hours of the fourth day, it's been dry throughout the trip. </div><div><br></div><div>Hiking doesn't stop when it rains. You've simply got to gear up, put your head down, and plow ahead. As thruhikers say, "no rain, no Maine."<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N-7K2i8-lBK5yTrRH466AHqKZRFrBuLXYKLgAdlENBPgFExVkMRbVyZpmhyW1_7sEiVLxkhU1EI8LK7nl0P7qmxVRwH3ylkT_iRMYRKLMCIA5ZHnpL9Ha8MYzGmEHfjpBtcH/s640/blogger-image-1281857948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N-7K2i8-lBK5yTrRH466AHqKZRFrBuLXYKLgAdlENBPgFExVkMRbVyZpmhyW1_7sEiVLxkhU1EI8LK7nl0P7qmxVRwH3ylkT_iRMYRKLMCIA5ZHnpL9Ha8MYzGmEHfjpBtcH/s640/blogger-image-1281857948.jpg"></a>Morning scene - Silers Bald Shelter</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our threesome of last night grew by four after we'd turned in, as a group of four college students showed up under the guidance of their headlamps. They quickly settled in, and we all spent a fairly restful night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By morning the wind had picked up and fog had rolled in. A sudden burst of wireless connectivity provided me with a weather forecast: a 90% chance of afternoon <font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"> thunderstorms, starting around 1-2 PM. With about 17 miles on the docket, that meant I needed to hustle.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The first 6 miles went smoothly, but then came a 6-mile stretch NOBOs had been warning about, with ascents up Thundee Miuntain and a stiff ascent over the exposed ridge of Rocky Top.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">By the ascent of Thunder Mountain, the rain began in earnest, and on went my hat, rain jacket and pack cover. A steep and rocky trail made matters even more unpleasant. But as I hit the top of Thunder Miuntain, the rain eased, and I was able to traverse the exposed ridge lines with nothing worse than gusty winds and sheets of fog and mist whipping by. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Eventually I descended to the Spence Field Shelter, the last reliable water source until Fontana Dam. I tanked up with a full four liters and made the decision to push on while the weather held.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The weather quickly turned back to sometimes heavy rain, but now I had the advantage of the best trail I'd seen in the Smokies so far - well graded, smooth, and sandy. I quickly knocked off the three miles to the next shelter and called it a day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_WaMqtBICAtU6GzgUoTh9jbVCxEq8O9E1j58jAWx5tG5PrMPLArf_UQWFRsH7U0z4Wzn4LbxDhFf54uSSEUUl5IWSc3UVIEMH2q-EEpoLMAzShmb30yMQRM6ASyydfxNsm7y/s640/blogger-image--1168467095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_WaMqtBICAtU6GzgUoTh9jbVCxEq8O9E1j58jAWx5tG5PrMPLArf_UQWFRsH7U0z4Wzn4LbxDhFf54uSSEUUl5IWSc3UVIEMH2q-EEpoLMAzShmb30yMQRM6ASyydfxNsm7y/s640/blogger-image--1168467095.jpg"></a>Gear drying time at Russell Field Shelter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a change of clothes and a hot mealI had time to get organized for the morning and laze away the afternoon in my sleeping bag, sipping hot tea and listening to football on my radio.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So ends another day on the trail. Tomorrow should be a fast downhill to Fontana, a shower, then the drive home to sleep in my own bed for the first time in almost two weeks. Can't wait!</div></font></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-56655869267707954232016-09-19T12:38:00.001-04:002016-09-19T12:38:23.025-04:00Day 10 - Over the hump!9/17/16 - Every journey or adventure will have its highs and lows. Geographical, physical, and emotional.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWirKu4KcVmrpimqquTXzPtV6UINtGjrGs43ry7ahq62bRAMEZu-w6o1ce1Hlp9sK6RI9lGqN89ntvDH34tQf23JUTxwvse5lupJt0W-WC0rprfAuBLNwWO9QSBTaWSUA-5vVA/s640/blogger-image-742299334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWirKu4KcVmrpimqquTXzPtV6UINtGjrGs43ry7ahq62bRAMEZu-w6o1ce1Hlp9sK6RI9lGqN89ntvDH34tQf23JUTxwvse5lupJt0W-WC0rprfAuBLNwWO9QSBTaWSUA-5vVA/s640/blogger-image-742299334.jpg"></a>The observation tower at Clingman's Dome - the highest point on the AT, at 6600 feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today I passed the geographical high point, while physically recovering well from yesterday's rocky 20 miler. And mentally I snapped out of a bit of a funk I'd gotten into over the last couple of days. While I've met many interesting and pleasant people, the lack of familiar faces each day was causing me to feel a bit <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">lonely.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">But if I'd lacked for human contact before, I didn't today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXUVSm0cbScgTebPE0RoAgSr3zQCJd9ClZPOIYM5lefdBjqpEE9p7z4-hO80Sb_qtuxZML8uzHpukpFOm9JQM63HwIj7oLmFcKrNN0qbGKs944UfCs9pLxV0XYRuCoF3tq7LM/s640/blogger-image--2120837855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXUVSm0cbScgTebPE0RoAgSr3zQCJd9ClZPOIYM5lefdBjqpEE9p7z4-hO80Sb_qtuxZML8uzHpukpFOm9JQM63HwIj7oLmFcKrNN0qbGKs944UfCs9pLxV0XYRuCoF3tq7LM/s640/blogger-image--2120837855.jpg"></a>Parking lot at Newfound Gap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the course of my first 3 miles I passed at least 75 day hikers, tromping up from Newfound Gap to see some of the sights, particularly Chatlies Bunion / think Humpback Rocks if you're from C-ville.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The crowds at the parking lot were a bit overwhelming, but I had a great opportunity to empty my trash (pack it in, pack it out), and actually use a toilet that flushed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While at the parking lot I connected with a pack of three hikers heading north and exchanged trail notes. Despite our differences in age and number of tattoos or piercings we clearly identified as part of the same tribe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Heading north, the crowds thinned, but I still had my pick of day hikers and groups passing by. Notably, I ran into a group from the Friends of the Smokies, a non-profit support group, accompanied by no less than the Asst. Superintendent of GSMNP. The group was supporting three of their members doing a northbound hike of the park. After chatting a while, they took my picture and promised to write about meeting me on their daily update. I promised the same!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArSRx3Fw-A_p-1f1cfwGtGOzhtlIqOWlknFERs21skLDE5l4y4kL9N1uN-Oz0Et4HJwLTcjRbLBFuf6f6Qr0A9hZLGOCpAz5gi0lv8ms_fqV1bt7bDK2lzMyGSObMJ8BK4Cne/s640/blogger-image-1874219870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArSRx3Fw-A_p-1f1cfwGtGOzhtlIqOWlknFERs21skLDE5l4y4kL9N1uN-Oz0Et4HJwLTcjRbLBFuf6f6Qr0A9hZLGOCpAz5gi0lv8ms_fqV1bt7bDK2lzMyGSObMJ8BK4Cne/s640/blogger-image-1874219870.jpg"></a>Mementoes of my encounter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I eventually reached Clingman's Dome - packed with tourists - and whiled away a while with Charlie, who was looking forward to a zero in Gatlinburg, watching football and drinking beer. I was jealous.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdN5UX3egiS56NaOW-BosuziN2YAfM68nGEiqA9tX9xzd6e1g5Ws9HO3v_SYZBGgpyu8GCS8OOdY5o7Ct288M_hIg1aZqkTlOV3sv0n_1QVyiLieVWvt6Wp955jHp4qg3mQKH/s640/blogger-image--171190334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdN5UX3egiS56NaOW-BosuziN2YAfM68nGEiqA9tX9xzd6e1g5Ws9HO3v_SYZBGgpyu8GCS8OOdY5o7Ct288M_hIg1aZqkTlOV3sv0n_1QVyiLieVWvt6Wp955jHp4qg3mQKH/s640/blogger-image--171190334.jpg"></a>Charlie at Clingman's Dome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I finally rolled into Silas Bald Shelter after a stress-free 15 miles, and met a local Tennessee father and son out for the weekend. After a career as an Army Ranger he'd come back home to settle down, and couldn't think of a place he'd rather be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wer3HD2NVFw1Rasa20gNmmcK8nKpZevdnlVSTyOTsjMPZBKMGXcKhpp8yZQXwehKhMZ4pTquBwHYNayVjVKCG8owTLZIc7z9a7KU_zOK_Wt_J4lcQi-VwE4AVS5YPdZVO-c0/s640/blogger-image-1762794724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wer3HD2NVFw1Rasa20gNmmcK8nKpZevdnlVSTyOTsjMPZBKMGXcKhpp8yZQXwehKhMZ4pTquBwHYNayVjVKCG8owTLZIc7z9a7KU_zOK_Wt_J4lcQi-VwE4AVS5YPdZVO-c0/s640/blogger-image-1762794724.jpg"></a>Father and son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gracious, dignified, and thoughtful, I think I'd cast Gary Cooper to play the fatherin the movie version of my trip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We relaxed by the fire with some sipping whiskey, and I went to bed pleasantly relaxed, turning over the words he'd spoken. "I'm glad you showed up Spike, you bring good karma with you." One of the nicest compliments I've ever received.</div></div></div><br></div></div></font></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-71383566305251756902016-09-16T20:23:00.001-04:002016-09-17T10:06:10.543-04:00Day 9 - The sublime (mostly) Smokies. And "trail talk"I I had to put in big miles today, so I crawled out of bag shortly after our NOBO flip flop hiker broke the ice. By 6:30 I was on the trail, guided by my headlamp. <div><br></div><div>Dawn was a treat, casting light through a wonderfully varied forest. The surrounding mountains gradually sprang into relief as the light grew and they shed layers of fog at their summits.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINT6bWAz-oIDVzYPWGt-C6Qonu4DF4qpwtzNSgtnoRX1qpDnZwMAFzhSfBr9PMLeruDFbvXrrlC01ENhQxjkQyAyt3AhzLnpfSa_GYFiX3co99-odd6K2BgoCNiaql3myeols/s640/blogger-image-455489638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINT6bWAz-oIDVzYPWGt-C6Qonu4DF4qpwtzNSgtnoRX1qpDnZwMAFzhSfBr9PMLeruDFbvXrrlC01ENhQxjkQyAyt3AhzLnpfSa_GYFiX3co99-odd6K2BgoCNiaql3myeols/s640/blogger-image-455489638.jpg"></a>The Sawteeth, near Carlie's Bunion.</div></div><div><br></div><div>There's a sense of space and wildness in the Smokies that you don't find in Shenandoah. And the sheer variety of plant, animal life, and forest types is readily apparent. I saw Sarvis trees with brilliant red berries, experienced moss-covered forests, and heard bird calls that were completely outside my experience. A truly awesome place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjeUDGyM2H9bZdCDRVWMqjrAXfdosTM2Fr9LXnAthtHc3hJE6FLnnvXwrEKWJRLKv5fNPTAvSnG9dzVKOHqWIoDOoVkY0OKGyuweLE4uYaUFkSEqQfEDPjXMHcTsySPHeYfdX/s640/blogger-image--189267760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjeUDGyM2H9bZdCDRVWMqjrAXfdosTM2Fr9LXnAthtHc3hJE6FLnnvXwrEKWJRLKv5fNPTAvSnG9dzVKOHqWIoDOoVkY0OKGyuweLE4uYaUFkSEqQfEDPjXMHcTsySPHeYfdX/s640/blogger-image--189267760.jpg"></a>An all too common sight.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The bad side? The trail itself. The soil is thin on the mountain tops, and erosion often leaves the trail a mass of rocks and roots. After 20 miles, my feet and psyche had taken a beating. A hot meal helped, and fortified with that and (hopefully) a good night's sleep I'll be able settle into a few days of somewhat less mileage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_uMOJjZKc1wY0p9bQGN8PvbcCx2NSzdaTZKu8a90OjiynhajnppkiAU0w0SDNo0f2JEnBu8YlPvvbcdQCjOiDsBXmPaU7EX5Igi9vbXCJY030z5y9b2C6t5QA-QyX2kpGJpc/s640/blogger-image--435023438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_uMOJjZKc1wY0p9bQGN8PvbcCx2NSzdaTZKu8a90OjiynhajnppkiAU0w0SDNo0f2JEnBu8YlPvvbcdQCjOiDsBXmPaU7EX5Igi9vbXCJY030z5y9b2C6t5QA-QyX2kpGJpc/s640/blogger-image--435023438.jpg"></a>Room with a view.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So what are the main topics of conversation on the trail? </div><div><br></div><div>Number 1 is, without a doubt, water. A recent dry spell has put a strain on springs, so it's courtesy for hikers passing by to share intelligence about the reliability of sources.</div><div><br></div><div>Number 2 is the bear situation. There were some shelter closures earlier this summer, but the trail telegraph assures me that the rangers have taken out the main problem bear, and tagged and relocated others. So all the shelters are open and everyone is breathing a little easier. </div><div><br></div><div>And that's the news from the trail - you AT correspondent, signing off.</div><div><br></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-86490095708976760052016-09-16T19:54:00.001-04:002016-09-16T19:54:42.187-04:00Day 8 - Stairmaster to the Smokies9/15/16 - The first thing I check when planning the next day's hike is the elevation profile. Today's looked pretty daunting, with several long climbs and an elevation difference of almost 4000 feet. Thank goodness I was only going 11 miles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcvhLaY5vGV-00CQU9E9wUBhf1f2TXOcCzubw5-nHMsfOGnWcRiRherdmNJQLxE3zfH2qjP6hF6RbGTA2hF20cux9SK2jPAkmEuPEQfywt0xPgAm_TGR9KaCezfQOiyZVDQFe/s640/blogger-image-666556687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcvhLaY5vGV-00CQU9E9wUBhf1f2TXOcCzubw5-nHMsfOGnWcRiRherdmNJQLxE3zfH2qjP6hF6RbGTA2hF20cux9SK2jPAkmEuPEQfywt0xPgAm_TGR9KaCezfQOiyZVDQFe/s640/blogger-image-666556687.jpg"></a>The dim, dusty bunk room at Standing Bear Farm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My stay at Standing Bear Farm was a mixed bag. The good - $20 for a bunk, shower, and do-it-yourself laundry, plus frozen pizzas and beer (I'll have two pints of Fat Tire, please). The bad - a distinct lack of any basic housekeeping skills. Rustic is cool, but would it hurt to pick up a broom?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDUKRhGLhCvar6Cdr5dDKVncC-34K_HMbI_f_XjJ4LIL0Pde1NgTU8QgcSorhwrYv1yOj6QOFgtUYc0YdHnyUXvwZrqwxeHZtiRDpAwwtU_9WaLWHCejf-UB8AgX9v2321rYw/s640/blogger-image-2008760237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDUKRhGLhCvar6Cdr5dDKVncC-34K_HMbI_f_XjJ4LIL0Pde1NgTU8QgcSorhwrYv1yOj6QOFgtUYc0YdHnyUXvwZrqwxeHZtiRDpAwwtU_9WaLWHCejf-UB8AgX9v2321rYw/s640/blogger-image-2008760237.jpg"></a>Carl, the go-to guy at Standing Bear (he has the key to the beer).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Despite that, I had a relaxing stay and left clean and resupplied, thanks to my mail drop. Soon I dropped my permit in the box and started up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXfwAktxuxrd6vsfWoOtbx5kKWlHoaKSZo_NrSkUoMK508JdUwMzMNScnOnkDuIX7NdB_2c4Lz4tVNDdbYQUTJoP3q9fY_X_mM2Q4jnensL5OQK_5UW6Uibgg65lLb-GKv8kt/s640/blogger-image-907515621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXfwAktxuxrd6vsfWoOtbx5kKWlHoaKSZo_NrSkUoMK508JdUwMzMNScnOnkDuIX7NdB_2c4Lz4tVNDdbYQUTJoP3q9fY_X_mM2Q4jnensL5OQK_5UW6Uibgg65lLb-GKv8kt/s640/blogger-image-907515621.jpg"></a>I'm official!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What was left was a hot, steep climb, made worse by a miscalculation that left me short of water over the last few miles. But all finished well, and I was the first into my shelter for the night. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uT98op-YElE-ayXOZxGbnT4txC-Fy32QSAP4Gl9vJ8D83h0nEXuMVMD6uh3pKqXREgwpVkQGqrA-uLMBqliXbLkIXv8oiL-RunWHMMvL_pEwf8nKqW97TrOzhSZi5FSweerl/s640/blogger-image-919961829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uT98op-YElE-ayXOZxGbnT4txC-Fy32QSAP4Gl9vJ8D83h0nEXuMVMD6uh3pKqXREgwpVkQGqrA-uLMBqliXbLkIXv8oiL-RunWHMMvL_pEwf8nKqW97TrOzhSZi5FSweerl/s640/blogger-image-919961829.jpg"></a>The view from my bunk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Business picked up, and we've got 9 in the shelter, including a young lady who'll finish her flip-flop in Rockfish Gap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shooting for 20 tomorrow, so it's just about bed time for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-21297226947294040272016-09-15T09:03:00.003-04:002016-09-15T09:03:14.524-04:00Day 7 - Max Patch to Standing Bear Hostel9/14/16 - Max Patch lives up to its billing. 360 views above the tree line, with nothing but mountains as far as they eye can see. After watching the sunset, I slept in my tent under a nearly full moon, with gentle breezes blowing all night. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nmp6UXlmwZLgami1vgCi6IpOMU07se6RQS3mRBqPOkOuPX3Ga5F-XyD2wZ-0-0GXDdPlbgQA_4B3BzHQOaQUyziFLpyRzOT8VDrhlw69vpu65Cl3tZYk-Q2pczYyKZBKNihD/s640/blogger-image--154683912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Nmp6UXlmwZLgami1vgCi6IpOMU07se6RQS3mRBqPOkOuPX3Ga5F-XyD2wZ-0-0GXDdPlbgQA_4B3BzHQOaQUyziFLpyRzOT8VDrhlw69vpu65Cl3tZYk-Q2pczYyKZBKNihD/s640/blogger-image--154683912.jpg"></a>The sun sets, as seen from Max Patch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Around 3 AM I stepped out for a nature call and gazed in every direction at the moonlit mountains - a sublime experience only equaled by the sunrise. I thought about what music it needed - Strauss? Sibelius? In the end, the wind blowing through the grass was music enough.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS2hNHm5t8_J7wVQ1wKcGFu7iN4RFtLKCL-NhsiDH3TNluyAdClveFTDmSD9lvRulcCpMjIFNv11OHlY2DhHIa8RiQt47QifU5bFM0EtmZZCeGx1DZ0c7RN6eAYEYAifJXOip/s640/blogger-image--33364845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS2hNHm5t8_J7wVQ1wKcGFu7iN4RFtLKCL-NhsiDH3TNluyAdClveFTDmSD9lvRulcCpMjIFNv11OHlY2DhHIa8RiQt47QifU5bFM0EtmZZCeGx1DZ0c7RN6eAYEYAifJXOip/s640/blogger-image--33364845.jpg"></a>Sunrise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tough to beat that, and the rest was routine hiking, with one stiff ascent but plenty of easy cruising too. After about 13 miles, I reached my destination, the very rustic Standing Bear Hostel. There I picked up my mail drop, showered, and did laundry, and gorged on a frozen pizza and two pints of Fat Tire. I'll head out first thing tomorrow to tackle the Smokies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP_-poKFJiIZrdC0FyHVC-hoIzG5vuFjxmzJzY9iCcX2oUskDlNx6sI09_jmXexzD2hWdi4O5bQRPVh_En1_2MGV_AhojA-mXDKzXxgrvwv5RLBMJK-iiB9fMi7TmwXXj0TKt/s640/blogger-image--157938844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP_-poKFJiIZrdC0FyHVC-hoIzG5vuFjxmzJzY9iCcX2oUskDlNx6sI09_jmXexzD2hWdi4O5bQRPVh_En1_2MGV_AhojA-mXDKzXxgrvwv5RLBMJK-iiB9fMi7TmwXXj0TKt/s640/blogger-image--157938844.jpg"></a>The Smokies - just ahead!</div></div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-70038977336157401812016-09-15T09:03:00.001-04:002016-09-15T09:03:05.044-04:00Day 6 - Karl and Max<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0AXFmaby3bMy4swxjOILXVjkzfqNddD5UkINTXvHXf4IhbzzEEWmVW4o-CmlHci7lXG4VoCIucdabn8icKQztXCQJ0799QOFXDHMDKOJwl8Coxd01ioCJ5h73zgqJW6qBK3t/s640/blogger-image-1320417435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0AXFmaby3bMy4swxjOILXVjkzfqNddD5UkINTXvHXf4IhbzzEEWmVW4o-CmlHci7lXG4VoCIucdabn8icKQztXCQJ0799QOFXDHMDKOJwl8Coxd01ioCJ5h73zgqJW6qBK3t/s640/blogger-image-1320417435.jpg"></a>Karl Meltzer (in yellow) leaves me in his dust while attempting an AT fastest time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'd been on the trail for about 90 minutes when I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. "Karl?" I asked. "Yes" he said. I congratulated him, wished him well, and he even obliged for a photo. Class act.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He trotted away, but I soon caught him at the nearby road crossing, where his crew was set up. After he departed, they offered up food and drink to me, and chatted about my trip. Kind of cool to have Scott Jurek (the current record holder) shooting the breeze and wishing you well on your trip. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3Gc6EKTlBVHgSzR0TN26SXTWFbeOJRX-jK8fYwcGuTLchQHuNbgwa0q2zpez8AbKyOd2PmqSFRojkl7fSSg4wSvywWDdgfXF5whFmO6q4Ht8V-TVywUNMszsRuLar36PMuC/s640/blogger-image--516188997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3Gc6EKTlBVHgSzR0TN26SXTWFbeOJRX-jK8fYwcGuTLchQHuNbgwa0q2zpez8AbKyOd2PmqSFRojkl7fSSg4wSvywWDdgfXF5whFmO6q4Ht8V-TVywUNMszsRuLar36PMuC/s640/blogger-image--516188997.jpg"></a>Historically significant trail magic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now back to the business at hand, the 2000 foot ascent up Bluff Mt. I paused for my crew-supplied Coke and PBJ and tackled the ascent with no problem. No doubt, I'm feeling stronger and covering miles more easily each day. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The rest of the day went smoothly, and I was even moving well enough to take a leisurely one hour lunch break. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After 15 miles Instopped for dinner at a shelter and shot the breeze with a duo from Key West. No doubt, they should have cast these two in the film version of "A Walk in the Woods." They're struggling south from Damascus at a painful 5-8 miles a day, while continuing to carry all the important essentials, like a fold-up saw and wind-up radio.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cTjU8rv61_TiBYQvUhHtJohn8nhlWOdJ4NDii0iWb1nJVRBu4zUvBgKtD6TU-2VNFRuv_hYPKduDPE7-T5hMoE4w0xvcUfvAWGjAoL_4ED3gepGSASvRQ4IrWZEHqQx4aDUS/s640/blogger-image--460554110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cTjU8rv61_TiBYQvUhHtJohn8nhlWOdJ4NDii0iWb1nJVRBu4zUvBgKtD6TU-2VNFRuv_hYPKduDPE7-T5hMoE4w0xvcUfvAWGjAoL_4ED3gepGSASvRQ4IrWZEHqQx4aDUS/s640/blogger-image--460554110.jpg"></a>Summit view - Max Patch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now the second highlight of the day - Max Patch. It's a grassy bald with 360- views, and one of the must-see spots on the trail. The perfect trifecta is to camp on the bald, so you can watch the sunset, stargaze, and then catch the dawn. Sunset down, two more to go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g7GDEv3HavCQfDVVaJL9o3ReVENGB9U1uWih852akuPHrmxAcce0Y-17xHSEtAZ33kVHxTjFezUKEeRV8woMeA3Pm4-1kIyGDESULp7C0OGXivKB5Byki5rEwb_lMZV3xQ-R/s640/blogger-image-148709156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g7GDEv3HavCQfDVVaJL9o3ReVENGB9U1uWih852akuPHrmxAcce0Y-17xHSEtAZ33kVHxTjFezUKEeRV8woMeA3Pm4-1kIyGDESULp7C0OGXivKB5Byki5rEwb_lMZV3xQ-R/s640/blogger-image-148709156.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g7GDEv3HavCQfDVVaJL9o3ReVENGB9U1uWih852akuPHrmxAcce0Y-17xHSEtAZ33kVHxTjFezUKEeRV8woMeA3Pm4-1kIyGDESULp7C0OGXivKB5Byki5rEwb_lMZV3xQ-R/s640/blogger-image-148709156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ZtCun5_p4aHl4BuMkFqQvmB881EoaD9BWj9mLcQqCSXGe6nh1G8bADY_dxSbCkMd2BKzsZKrAQ7jJy2Feo7adw0_4AsBGwBrmRCAqihCNcXLGVXGKXXgbwnniZrGz0PTQc-/s640/blogger-image-630368020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ZtCun5_p4aHl4BuMkFqQvmB881EoaD9BWj9mLcQqCSXGe6nh1G8bADY_dxSbCkMd2BKzsZKrAQ7jJy2Feo7adw0_4AsBGwBrmRCAqihCNcXLGVXGKXXgbwnniZrGz0PTQc-/s640/blogger-image-630368020.jpg"></a></div></div></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-63813563474712474092016-09-15T03:30:00.000-04:002016-09-20T10:04:23.225-04:00Day 5 - Hot Springs Near-O DayWhat's a "near-o?" In hiker lingo, a "zero day" is no miles hiked. A near-o is very few - either a short hike into a town, or a short hike out of town. Here's how my Hot Springs stay unfolded.<br />
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For dinner last night I went down the street to Creekside station with Kiwi, another guest at Sunnybank. He's a retired New Zealand Navy officer who spends his time traveling and doing outdoor education. One of the lines on his business car reads "Tramper/Traveller." Now that's a job description I'd like to have!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpU7E1dQiPF2-1z77y96XjFxWFrzDAL6kJ-XEJ_u2DOLKSUC5sOBD_QBMoKmMC0BoDBKiBwvZuhjkK9dVE1w9coWcCz2zFCLlZEHHkOvd7TUkxJMix8mlUT_6D6Lf71Ce0xqa/s640/blogger-image-1735123268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpU7E1dQiPF2-1z77y96XjFxWFrzDAL6kJ-XEJ_u2DOLKSUC5sOBD_QBMoKmMC0BoDBKiBwvZuhjkK9dVE1w9coWcCz2zFCLlZEHHkOvd7TUkxJMix8mlUT_6D6Lf71Ce0xqa/s640/blogger-image-1735123268.jpg" /></a>Kiwi at Sunnybank Inn</div>
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In the morning, Elmer served breakfast to the crew: myself, Kiwi, Lewis and Clark - a young couple from Richmond, plus himself and his assistant, a young 2009 thruhiker. Elmer had us all introduce ourselves, and conversation flowed from there, mainly ranging to all topics trail related.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2E4oLt-VLHwb3JCdUqSss3DNDPc8fqc3mHKM6AIeoS8jhEl2eyi5aWWz0jACZBh_zQuTz7KpaVKuN0J7gjYUJCuYUXhrX_Fhil4b50JSdb2ypBv_lp8la9gSl_3F3xZwWgLN/s640/blogger-image--308854182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2E4oLt-VLHwb3JCdUqSss3DNDPc8fqc3mHKM6AIeoS8jhEl2eyi5aWWz0jACZBh_zQuTz7KpaVKuN0J7gjYUJCuYUXhrX_Fhil4b50JSdb2ypBv_lp8la9gSl_3F3xZwWgLN/s640/blogger-image--308854182.jpg" /></a>The Wash Tub</div>
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Next, it was town chores - laundry at The Washtub, then a stop at Bluff Mountain Outfitters for food and stove fuel. While I was there, the clerk picked my brain on my new Altra Lone Peak 3.0 shoes. My take? Two thumbs up - thanks Crozet Running!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BMTKExwadi2ZxlKZueUafen9EdxRPpylo-MFm6VYyE1CIkAI-VsuVu32LQoewRSj_JyXnRBezAisyia52_PEI2mvq1CU4UKybtEk8caLfeQhOYveKAY_nqegtGDGqbBUKHwa/s640/blogger-image-1396023151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BMTKExwadi2ZxlKZueUafen9EdxRPpylo-MFm6VYyE1CIkAI-VsuVu32LQoewRSj_JyXnRBezAisyia52_PEI2mvq1CU4UKybtEk8caLfeQhOYveKAY_nqegtGDGqbBUKHwa/s640/blogger-image-1396023151.jpg" /></a>Ever notice that outdoors people love stickers?</div>
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A quick lunch, then back to Sunnybank to pick up my pack and I was on my way. A short hike up a steep mountain, and I settled in at the first shelter. Joining me tonight - Hank, an aspiring thruhiker testing everything out on his first trip (and doing well, I'd say!), and Anthony, a young man with a massive pack heading NOBOfrom Springer. He's in no hurry and enjoying life on the trail.</div>
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I'll leave you with Iron Chef, AT edition - Hiker Pad Thai. One package Lipton Teriyaki noodles, one package spicy salmon, Texas Pete, red pepper, salt, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Yum!</div>
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-85516104721339797432016-09-12T11:38:00.001-04:002016-09-12T11:40:00.035-04:00Special - Elmer's Sunnybank Inn<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpIpZmT-oWbQ5-o1j3SRc2UqrdtLnc1gtHydpXk_2M295s7AuiBfvJd4tQUMyq9Zq3b4QQ8AI3Ye35DaJt0H6s2ExL8RVXS2S5MGg16f4sgXFfws5pxal-9u4ab4v1uqNy5jq/s640/blogger-image-330241702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpIpZmT-oWbQ5-o1j3SRc2UqrdtLnc1gtHydpXk_2M295s7AuiBfvJd4tQUMyq9Zq3b4QQ8AI3Ye35DaJt0H6s2ExL8RVXS2S5MGg16f4sgXFfws5pxal-9u4ab4v1uqNy5jq/s640/blogger-image-330241702.jpg">The oldest home in Hot Springs, circa 1840.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In 1948 the first AT thruhiker, Earl Shaffer, spent the night at a rooming house in Hot Springs. Since then, under one name or another, Sunnybank has hosted weary hikers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlZO-59TWcTm54P_zAPiJkCTVA2hb7MNXNaBSgQNoYWCQnDL6IdjzuAzvPc6xGxl3Yj1KjArY9gtSUQDvtuBdXstjGF1WVN0SNFgnIjPPUGFFsWBaOhCALgtMyUr2EJJheDS-/s640/blogger-image-1748057680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlZO-59TWcTm54P_zAPiJkCTVA2hb7MNXNaBSgQNoYWCQnDL6IdjzuAzvPc6xGxl3Yj1KjArY9gtSUQDvtuBdXstjGF1WVN0SNFgnIjPPUGFFsWBaOhCALgtMyUr2EJJheDS-/s640/blogger-image-1748057680.jpg"></a>Some Sunnybank history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's current owner, Elmer, has run Sunnybank since 1978. While the home still maintains much of its Victorian charm, it also shows its age as well. But the upside is found in the low-key comfort and eclectic atmosphere. You can easily imagine grabbing a book from the large library and dozing off on one of the many shady porches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0lSzIw7SoxLdD2sNeIN0axyW3yqOFc2BEzK-emeJ-ujAMd-N1TX_sNxXbLAQDXEPz9iXpnAI25EJvtUBJxO06Kd1S2DXjxA-vVcsELzeh__gNsZF-WJvKvrjhyphenhyphen0vlyclouiB/s640/blogger-image--3924632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0lSzIw7SoxLdD2sNeIN0axyW3yqOFc2BEzK-emeJ-ujAMd-N1TX_sNxXbLAQDXEPz9iXpnAI25EJvtUBJxO06Kd1S2DXjxA-vVcsELzeh__gNsZF-WJvKvrjhyphenhyphen0vlyclouiB/s640/blogger-image--3924632.jpg"></a>View from the back yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'll talk a little more about Elmer and Sunnybank in my next post. For now I'll share some pictures.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCXKEXWQWjhLcJOue2QVz9LsVcccVsE9zqdlpfxr_astCMA3F23oOLN-UcqOKFr2kgAL8BjNvLGDzyaqfM1fAAiQbbhhjAmGNrd7wFLx0VfzAE429A8CReEScL7Z6x5dhgl60/s640/blogger-image-328516166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCXKEXWQWjhLcJOue2QVz9LsVcccVsE9zqdlpfxr_astCMA3F23oOLN-UcqOKFr2kgAL8BjNvLGDzyaqfM1fAAiQbbhhjAmGNrd7wFLx0VfzAE429A8CReEScL7Z6x5dhgl60/s640/blogger-image-328516166.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCXKEXWQWjhLcJOue2QVz9LsVcccVsE9zqdlpfxr_astCMA3F23oOLN-UcqOKFr2kgAL8BjNvLGDzyaqfM1fAAiQbbhhjAmGNrd7wFLx0VfzAE429A8CReEScL7Z6x5dhgl60/s640/blogger-image-328516166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmHvQAfHt-asR5ittzbibykbBvN3DuTozNlYeuCDOK44x8p8O9p0vEJM7Tc5_9YK8Y7_QsyUFqF85aaLhyQ1GcCZFXblWT7ZkU-AASMX7r-SOtVmlaVQ1j_QkPWpypG-XRJkJ/s640/blogger-image--734874221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmHvQAfHt-asR5ittzbibykbBvN3DuTozNlYeuCDOK44x8p8O9p0vEJM7Tc5_9YK8Y7_QsyUFqF85aaLhyQ1GcCZFXblWT7ZkU-AASMX7r-SOtVmlaVQ1j_QkPWpypG-XRJkJ/s640/blogger-image--734874221.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmHvQAfHt-asR5ittzbibykbBvN3DuTozNlYeuCDOK44x8p8O9p0vEJM7Tc5_9YK8Y7_QsyUFqF85aaLhyQ1GcCZFXblWT7ZkU-AASMX7r-SOtVmlaVQ1j_QkPWpypG-XRJkJ/s640/blogger-image--734874221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUOSOgWy71kLz9MgPisJ7ZUoyGwqf5BPvJ-P9JnvCNBjaKq-jvfO0EvX7ob0LUZ1n0EJr-NVAb6jxBBc9rm-u9yIhy53CQFspIMlIQyD-H5jUo0HY2S4a0Lem-diMYyRYBY8e/s640/blogger-image--1383211902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUOSOgWy71kLz9MgPisJ7ZUoyGwqf5BPvJ-P9JnvCNBjaKq-jvfO0EvX7ob0LUZ1n0EJr-NVAb6jxBBc9rm-u9yIhy53CQFspIMlIQyD-H5jUo0HY2S4a0Lem-diMYyRYBY8e/s640/blogger-image--1383211902.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUOSOgWy71kLz9MgPisJ7ZUoyGwqf5BPvJ-P9JnvCNBjaKq-jvfO0EvX7ob0LUZ1n0EJr-NVAb6jxBBc9rm-u9yIhy53CQFspIMlIQyD-H5jUo0HY2S4a0Lem-diMYyRYBY8e/s640/blogger-image--1383211902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZTH_I7M2npfItX8YjWKsDm9bAZn3jw4C4ooof-wq2TacWMzhSevb87_ejQRZg_m5EdEqMSTDMBQ8X0WbR0loQxoqLgUIrBd6P-eNjTy6N2m7XE7HpQKfEGzJY_eJ57_fnhJY/s640/blogger-image--591688286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZTH_I7M2npfItX8YjWKsDm9bAZn3jw4C4ooof-wq2TacWMzhSevb87_ejQRZg_m5EdEqMSTDMBQ8X0WbR0loQxoqLgUIrBd6P-eNjTy6N2m7XE7HpQKfEGzJY_eJ57_fnhJY/s640/blogger-image--591688286.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZTH_I7M2npfItX8YjWKsDm9bAZn3jw4C4ooof-wq2TacWMzhSevb87_ejQRZg_m5EdEqMSTDMBQ8X0WbR0loQxoqLgUIrBd6P-eNjTy6N2m7XE7HpQKfEGzJY_eJ57_fnhJY/s640/blogger-image--591688286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3_tc3tZI4um9MRuW-yjuIRDLmQyD6OwvmUCePs-66g1lsR_AuGXmoBKb_XJi0JzwGKYnfOpS6GBi2aSGeQXbAcE0dc5HTJIh94rg1wgoF8TG8vgLE6bOJeJExqpQv7COL5CK/s640/blogger-image--1575830848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3_tc3tZI4um9MRuW-yjuIRDLmQyD6OwvmUCePs-66g1lsR_AuGXmoBKb_XJi0JzwGKYnfOpS6GBi2aSGeQXbAcE0dc5HTJIh94rg1wgoF8TG8vgLE6bOJeJExqpQv7COL5CK/s640/blogger-image--1575830848.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-44264589423413704302016-09-11T21:40:00.001-04:002016-09-11T21:40:47.255-04:00Day 4 - Southbound Express to Hot SpringsSome people can pick up their pack, whistle a happy tune, and stroll along without a care until they get where they're going.<div><br></div><div>For better or worse, I'm not one of them.</div><div><br></div><div>Planning my daily hike means calcuating miles and pace, and annotating my AT guide so I can check my progress along the way. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnlAqohvZfgPQyn5HyCeWghykjhc7xiiu9LXnXOYpAfPzSZHlcv2E64DJdiE01D7WkFr_Xv81zpENQLkAIR7G6OVzoGWefX2aVI4Aj-FEopMojnk4crnAZ87g1dJI7HWfIYKQ/s640/blogger-image--444778153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnlAqohvZfgPQyn5HyCeWghykjhc7xiiu9LXnXOYpAfPzSZHlcv2E64DJdiE01D7WkFr_Xv81zpENQLkAIR7G6OVzoGWefX2aVI4Aj-FEopMojnk4crnAZ87g1dJI7HWfIYKQ/s640/blogger-image--444778153.jpg"></a>My AT guide, with notes</div></div><div><br></div><div>Rain showers overnight and into the morning pushed back my planned start time. Let's just say that a yoga pose has not yet been developed that replicates packing all your gear while in a one-man tent. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But the rain stopped, and I dug in to put in the miles to Hot Springs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Walk, walk, walk. Downhill, earwiging the Scherzo from Beethoven's 7th. Cranking an uphill, the Marche Funebre from the Eroica Symphony. Checking off a section at a time and plowing ahead. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYbK9396izm9wK9Mn6o4B5x6wIQfd5-tA4SBpGJjxbgrsuXBBYBrwg1Z8kNZff5Z94BzncCIJY2A-risdXdCfuKKX9Xeg3NUs9B_qVd2ltcrsQ8WetiB9rcvRWQ6gpO9dM8L/s640/blogger-image--802897907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYbK9396izm9wK9Mn6o4B5x6wIQfd5-tA4SBpGJjxbgrsuXBBYBrwg1Z8kNZff5Z94BzncCIJY2A-risdXdCfuKKX9Xeg3NUs9B_qVd2ltcrsQ8WetiB9rcvRWQ6gpO9dM8L/s640/blogger-image--802897907.jpg"></a>Quick lunch stop at a creepy AT shelter</div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Nearly 19 miles later, I'm in Hot Springs, NC, on lovely French Broad River. A weird combo of AT hikers, river rats, bikers, and weekend redneck vacationers.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">And my lodgings for the night, Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - a post on that and Hot Springs tomorrow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzqbhoSO3iqUCOxweZDSIOiri8upFTGzaGox4LZC9RfRGaLgTLg0COg0i7Sko7O1fEsplV_OsYVefAFByJ5M6JtpVprBv-UIEHflqmV-sopbSizQ4mNelCUvhHdvJ9bFZp-Yn/s640/blogger-image-452630032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzqbhoSO3iqUCOxweZDSIOiri8upFTGzaGox4LZC9RfRGaLgTLg0COg0i7Sko7O1fEsplV_OsYVefAFByJ5M6JtpVprBv-UIEHflqmV-sopbSizQ4mNelCUvhHdvJ9bFZp-Yn/s640/blogger-image-452630032.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1840s Victorian meets 2016 hiker trash.</div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-90569568539033404792016-09-10T19:56:00.001-04:002016-09-10T19:56:09.244-04:00Day 3 - A wrong turn and a flexible planAfter adjusting to noise from hooting screech owls, scampering shelter mice, and snoring Homo sapiens, I had a pretty good nights sleep and was ready to roll at 6:30, with a 20+ mile say on the docket. <div><br></div><div>30 minutes later, after realizing I'd taken the wrong trail out of the shelter in the dim morning light, it was time to retrace my steps back to where I'd started. With an hour lost, It was also time to reevaluate my plans for the day.</div><div><br></div><div>Some quick math told me that it could very well be past 8 PM before I got to my original destination, so I punted and decided to scale back to the second shelter ahead, 13.2 miles away.</div><div><br></div><div>Since there was no rush, I hiked conservatively, taking the time to collect some Chicken of the Woods <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy_(biology)</a>, and <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">take an extended lunch break. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The highlight of the day was the climb over Firescald Bald, with a tough 1.5 mile section of rocky trail and rock scrambling. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqXBBn3HTbMfIbrl7M933BSewaH_5Mup8UsU7oK8dXjlcwrHXx9zXd9gLZuPnqSB2YnFt5QL6OrCEKekdYRlPWXGaptTsfALAzuBx3L86pxiBM1v8KS6v9Q5PMf15UxcIfXpv/s640/blogger-image--286847420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqXBBn3HTbMfIbrl7M933BSewaH_5Mup8UsU7oK8dXjlcwrHXx9zXd9gLZuPnqSB2YnFt5QL6OrCEKekdYRlPWXGaptTsfALAzuBx3L86pxiBM1v8KS6v9Q5PMf15UxcIfXpv/s640/blogger-image--286847420.jpg"></a>Some of the fun on Firescald Bald.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From there it was a case of checking off the miles to the shelter. Despite having seen very few people on this trip so far, we've got quite a crew.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWwpxHL7XCOGm67ONNvKR7oAZfy-cxUvfwp_zp60QtGB8kYG8OzKMltg_yIdZ3imj83uyV4nNEf-DVxq6UZWpxtgeNH3F9ss2Ol2ryMxlCEdCaQpHPD94HP68Qr0bsZijh-KY/s640/blogger-image--1389623753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWwpxHL7XCOGm67ONNvKR7oAZfy-cxUvfwp_zp60QtGB8kYG8OzKMltg_yIdZ3imj83uyV4nNEf-DVxq6UZWpxtgeNH3F9ss2Ol2ryMxlCEdCaQpHPD94HP68Qr0bsZijh-KY/s640/blogger-image--1389623753.jpg"></a>18 Wheeler, Web Walker, and Papa Jack</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the shelter already were three affable NOBO section hikers, out for 4-5 days; with myself and my trail family from yesterday - Brenda, Beth, and Larry - tenting in the vicinity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow I'll start early and push the 18 to Hot Springs. I should make good time - a hiker's speed is directly related to how close cold beer and a hot shower is!</div></div></span></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-61183898473051802122016-09-10T08:06:00.001-04:002016-09-10T08:06:40.017-04:00Day 2 - In the routine (and a bear sighting!)After a good nights sleep, I was dressed, packed, fueled with instant coffee and on the trail at 7. The key for today was to put in some good miles and settle into a sustainable hiking routine while I built strength.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy2VVNnzJgsOIi4hXRRKSXOsWgx4ZRcXFYZ9O4Ulz6m2kaFG3ZQYcpIX2s-LYgVi6IcHABZ6VQoWWoJZ650fpR-rpto0tux-QvxhqhXDGuOtE9_3gPN_4onWuN_nIsLHKI_xg/s640/blogger-image--637588807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKy2VVNnzJgsOIi4hXRRKSXOsWgx4ZRcXFYZ9O4Ulz6m2kaFG3ZQYcpIX2s-LYgVi6IcHABZ6VQoWWoJZ650fpR-rpto0tux-QvxhqhXDGuOtE9_3gPN_4onWuN_nIsLHKI_xg/s640/blogger-image--637588807.jpg"></a>Morning view from Big Bald Mt summit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a mile or so, I hit the open views of Big Bald Mt. After stopping to talk to volunteers trapping, cataloguing, and banding migratory songbirds, I climbed to the top and took a good 15 minutes or so just taking in the view.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-dvnnbPaBb3KxBmc8NYbRc97uC4CKLO2CPZpUNIy-aGXKE2aUcBMam9YJoC05nCtQA5yeN-OR-FZjzIXlRCBExEDkLBGlmh_0afgqAqCUFpNCsgdb7QNNv5euz7ahM9PvJ7c/s640/blogger-image--128270832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-dvnnbPaBb3KxBmc8NYbRc97uC4CKLO2CPZpUNIy-aGXKE2aUcBMam9YJoC05nCtQA5yeN-OR-FZjzIXlRCBExEDkLBGlmh_0afgqAqCUFpNCsgdb7QNNv5euz7ahM9PvJ7c/s640/blogger-image--128270832.jpg"></a>Obligatory artistic selfie on Big Bald</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After that highlight the day settled into a routine of stopping on the 30s for a drink and a quick break, then stopping on the hours for an obligatory 5-minute "pack off" break and snack - jerky or a little trail mix. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After 10 miles I stopped at a shelter to refill water and have lunch, then decided a nice siesta would be a good idea.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefc3hju0mPCMeso3ynHQ_nxRAGsFpPvoRVzf6LmcSXIpe3hOh3G5V3Q8kY_cL-8U0wbL69w41ZAtbdFFtt6Ra5JHrcbEndbISZa5458hjlimaUP5QojjLL1XgNoEFAnqse0gr/s640/blogger-image-709044344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefc3hju0mPCMeso3ynHQ_nxRAGsFpPvoRVzf6LmcSXIpe3hOh3G5V3Q8kY_cL-8U0wbL69w41ZAtbdFFtt6Ra5JHrcbEndbISZa5458hjlimaUP5QojjLL1XgNoEFAnqse0gr/s640/blogger-image-709044344.jpg"></a>Feet up, shoes off - Siesta time!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After my break I plodded through the afternoon heat, clicking off the miles as I tackled the biggest climb of the day. The descent from that wound through some breathless woods and I had to fight a case of the blahs, though a flock of wild turkeys livened things up a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Crossing the last road, things picked up as I climbed into cooler woods and smoother trail. Then, about a mile or so from the shelter - Bear Sighting! A mom and 4 cubs about 40 yards away. After I got some pictures with my camera (sorry can't post them from the woods) I barked at them and they turned tail and ran.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So after18.9 miles I'm sharing space with some (slower) middle-aged SOBOs, Brenda, Beth, and Larry (One Stick). Good company. Another big day tomorrow, so I can have an easy descent into Hot Springs on Sunday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-9301305970391918602016-09-08T18:51:00.001-04:002016-09-08T18:51:07.427-04:00Day 1 - Head for the mountains<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are a few reasons the first day of an AT backpacking trip is one of the most challenging. Your pack is loaded with food. The specific conditioning of hiking with the pack is lacking. And finally, AT trailheads are at the low points of the trail. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicvAv6oiqc6LfpJeZ0UKwRN60mN6scOn1MbImZpnAgBkEP-2IfY4YIK1WPhsj4LfAvHtz2qO3lEfAagao_aB3YegmhdfBjuZZsz-QJEats0L9v-dfkpBTNpUit5JVVuSBUERe/s640/blogger-image-88146296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicvAv6oiqc6LfpJeZ0UKwRN60mN6scOn1MbImZpnAgBkEP-2IfY4YIK1WPhsj4LfAvHtz2qO3lEfAagao_aB3YegmhdfBjuZZsz-QJEats0L9v-dfkpBTNpUit5JVVuSBUERe/s640/blogger-image-88146296.jpg"></a>Starting my hike - Erwin, TN. Elevation 1770'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Case in point - Erwin, TN is nestled in the Nolichucky River valley, at 1770 feet above sea level. Right off the bat you're looking at a 1500' climb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And so the course of the day was set. As the trail wound south from Erwin the sounds of town and highway faded away, replaced by the sound of my steps and the rustling of leaves in rhododendron-filled secluded coves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Always, though, was the realization that I was moving further into, and further up, the mountains. The last six miles presented two stiff 1000'+ climbs, accompanied by rough trail conditions. So it was a relief to see the side trail to the shelter and have a chance to clean up, fix dinner, and regroup for tomorrow's hike.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7eWH6wy46wtNjWXFJXixXbwZRfMBOJodPk9O8Xg3s7a__ARt662d5YjtmdrYEVF6onCCnb92V7ZaLLWHg4ATEeKKmzUaIyWUr8q5nRWpsrcfYAsPUauSCP9jSUJnALmm9dX/s640/blogger-image-265269253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7eWH6wy46wtNjWXFJXixXbwZRfMBOJodPk9O8Xg3s7a__ARt662d5YjtmdrYEVF6onCCnb92V7ZaLLWHg4ATEeKKmzUaIyWUr8q5nRWpsrcfYAsPUauSCP9jSUJnALmm9dX/s640/blogger-image-265269253.jpg"></a>Bald Mt Shelter - 5100'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been quiet on the trail so far, with only a handful of northbound section hikers, so it looks like I've got the shelter all to myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Total time on trail - 9:15</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Total distance. - 16.8 miles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Avg speed - 1.8 mph</div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-52730251172985265892016-09-07T19:22:00.001-04:002016-09-07T19:35:41.673-04:00There and (partly) back againOne of the challenges of section hiking is transportation. When I was backpacking in VA, it didn't require a long drive to drop off a vehicle and get to the trailhead. Now that I'm in NC and TN, it's a little harder.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQTLEsp7Xoks2r3rpQsvgXtkYgOcef0xcuGV8qn-Td_VHbdjBXI04i-nPFpZENT1XvzceHD4FI6hIhR7DgikTo14AO2kqqFsPYSgeH2P960uYrMtiXPbT1UwftMfNMJAa-p1-/s640/blogger-image-873128419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQTLEsp7Xoks2r3rpQsvgXtkYgOcef0xcuGV8qn-Td_VHbdjBXI04i-nPFpZENT1XvzceHD4FI6hIhR7DgikTo14AO2kqqFsPYSgeH2P960uYrMtiXPbT1UwftMfNMJAa-p1-/s640/blogger-image-873128419.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fontana Lake, with the Smokies in the background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The day started with a 7-1/2 hour drive to the Fontana Dam visitor center, where I parked (and locked) my car and met my shuttle driver.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmjluXMXvAZfjD8uSNNfOHUKYZng8TUtISbX8M4S5nQ4GKFY5aDcwR2vgfrapCyAP8Uajz5l6L-lrHIvDBxl3osK48LG2ctU47JIFsImACmqsY-oGlDvjvlXctd5yRQF_J7wd/s640/blogger-image-572203846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmjluXMXvAZfjD8uSNNfOHUKYZng8TUtISbX8M4S5nQ4GKFY5aDcwR2vgfrapCyAP8Uajz5l6L-lrHIvDBxl3osK48LG2ctU47JIFsImACmqsY-oGlDvjvlXctd5yRQF_J7wd/s640/blogger-image-572203846.jpg"></a>Ronnie, my shuttle driver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now it was time to backtrack for two hours, to where I'll pick up the trail in the morning. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbHbUaCYguQcyytqGuDf0X8K8MGx8riTWMsJaoL5hNZjU-prniOjaMpAZ76NatPLyKKzWyVcreUpHHEz7aTrwfH4CZDlkQCWtEenIPsSiV9e9wUe371fGU-d8Ls1N-OvyR5hi/s640/blogger-image-925541502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbHbUaCYguQcyytqGuDf0X8K8MGx8riTWMsJaoL5hNZjU-prniOjaMpAZ76NatPLyKKzWyVcreUpHHEz7aTrwfH4CZDlkQCWtEenIPsSiV9e9wUe371fGU-d8Ls1N-OvyR5hi/s640/blogger-image-925541502.jpg"></a>Mountain Inn in Erwin, TN - my home for the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, after a long day in the car, I'm comfortably<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> settled in at my motel with a couple of beers and a delivery pizza. Plus the Tour of Spain is on the TV. Reality check tomorrow, as I tackle my first climbs and hope for a solid 16-mile day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19937296.post-38872498328264253292016-09-06T13:10:00.001-04:002016-09-06T13:10:51.887-04:00AT Section Hike 2016 -- Top Five QuestionsYou get a lot of questions from people when they find out you'll be doing a backpacking trip on the AT. Even though you hear a lot of the same questions, it's fun exposing people to the experience of taking a (multi-day) walk in the woods. So here's my list of the five most frequently asked questions I get about hiking on the AT.<br />
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#5 -- Do you carry a gun?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy137FhFrI-2IsNaya_cMpSyK5O8NJ6k9Vri_1HxN_HkAfZ7nSsRyDnhrfLhvFKMUiqcnus5YojoqXkR_bp032DbOShvf0ZfZSA-2tc0VS0PVXv7_Zgk0hwQuUI8shyZBbeAO5/s1600/banjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy137FhFrI-2IsNaya_cMpSyK5O8NJ6k9Vri_1HxN_HkAfZ7nSsRyDnhrfLhvFKMUiqcnus5YojoqXkR_bp032DbOShvf0ZfZSA-2tc0VS0PVXv7_Zgk0hwQuUI8shyZBbeAO5/s320/banjo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not really that much of a concern...</td></tr>
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Short answer - no. Despite stereotypes of toothless backwoodsmen lurking in the trackless wilderness, I've rarely had any encounters that have given me pause. In fact, a good rule of thumb is that the further you are away from a road, the less you have to worry about. The worst experience I've ever had was trying to sleep in a shelter at the Mount Rogers National Forest headquarters on a Friday night, when a group of local kids decided it would be fun to raise hell and build a massive fire just over the hill. Lesson learned -- avoid shelters near roads on weekend nights. Anyway, guns are heavy, dangerous, and illegal to carry in National Parks, like Great Smoky Mountains NP and Shenandoah NP.<br />
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#4 -- Don't you worry about bears?</h3>
The black bear of the east is not the fearsome beast that the grizzly bear is. Generally they're shy, and will run away if you make any kind of loud noise when they appear. But... problem bears can be an issue in some areas where the population is high and they've gotten accustomed to thinking of backpackers as a source of food (the food we carry, not us personally). This problem can be acute around shelters or campsites where hikers have left food out or haven't cleaned up after themselves. In fact, a hiker was bitten by a black bear while in his tent in GSMNP this year. For that reason, I'm carrying pepper spray with me for the first time ever. I very much doubt I'll need it, but if someone decides to stick his snout in my tent I'll have something more than a hiking pole to defend myself with.<br />
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#3 -- How much does your pack weigh?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOD8hxML7atsZnvYNEjlI-uacConnVwfeanBgYVea07OkGwPMSpHVZ2sK_b73Br2AblYXj_V6nzaAn3NUNc_F5LGCP0m8asQ_S2HbVe2KYaAHI6V5yRVzIO1jrt2PTFfD0Wei/s1600/P1060529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOD8hxML7atsZnvYNEjlI-uacConnVwfeanBgYVea07OkGwPMSpHVZ2sK_b73Br2AblYXj_V6nzaAn3NUNc_F5LGCP0m8asQ_S2HbVe2KYaAHI6V5yRVzIO1jrt2PTFfD0Wei/s400/P1060529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totin' my REI Flash 65 pack in 2014. My current pack is a slightly smaller Osprey Exos 58.</td></tr>
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There's a balancing act between comfort and weight when deciding what goes in your pack. A true ultralight backpacker won't take a stove, will sleep under a tarp, and may also spend big bucks on very lightweight gear made from exotic materials. As for me, I fall somewhere in the middle. I like my coffee and a hot meal, so I take a stove. And I don't like bugs, so I have a tent with a floor and mesh screening. And I'm not ready to shell out hundreds of dollars to shave a pound or so off of my sleeping bag weight.<br />
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Over the years, though, I've managed to put together some good gear and have learned what I can do without. So I can pack for a summer/early fall trip and have a pack "base weight" (no food or water) of about 20 pounds. Add 4 days of food and a liter of water and I'm up to 30 pounds. With a good pack that rides pretty well, and the weight goes down as you work through your food supply. Based on what I see, I carry a lot less than most weekend backpackers, but maybe just a bit more than a thru-hiker who's been out on the trail for several months.<br />
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<h3>
#2 -- Where do you stay?</h3>
There are three choices: my tent, a shelter, or off the trail (motel, hostel, etc.). If the weather's good and you can find a nice level spot, tenting is a great option. There's a degree of privacy, even if you're tenting near others, and you don't have to worry about disturbing anybody else if you want to get up early.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDjP0hrtzhLWQhKnpPDjcPlisEEN0I8lrjRyzgJSqSGOODwu_jWZNPPBuYwJDjlxCXe7qH6Dvp9R9uNrYJwwYvepPiMOPy19AQOIH4igLxWw8f9eCCi2Xzu4fYGgk2EZWudqN/s1600/P1060410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDjP0hrtzhLWQhKnpPDjcPlisEEN0I8lrjRyzgJSqSGOODwu_jWZNPPBuYwJDjlxCXe7qH6Dvp9R9uNrYJwwYvepPiMOPy19AQOIH4igLxWw8f9eCCi2Xzu4fYGgk2EZWudqN/s320/P1060410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vandeventer Shelter, TN, 2014 - pretty average digs on the AT.</td></tr>
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Shelters can be nice when the weather is rainy, and you don't have to pack up as much stuff in the morning before you hit the trail. And the company can be nice if you're around a congenial group of hikers. The downsides can be the lack of privacy and noise, plus rodents - yuck.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2kF9BtLzLpuiwtBokWBzAEPsjwOnva7kQ5C3rNZEeapYgHZnAWFFj5U3ChezCkiuOz9zVlCmJdFMY6Lkl-uJBPYn0ew2Azo8aAirWV_Zurn5Vbt9dgF2p3ITAQCd6JXf8Csd/s1600/DSCN0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2kF9BtLzLpuiwtBokWBzAEPsjwOnva7kQ5C3rNZEeapYgHZnAWFFj5U3ChezCkiuOz9zVlCmJdFMY6Lkl-uJBPYn0ew2Azo8aAirWV_Zurn5Vbt9dgF2p3ITAQCd6JXf8Csd/s320/DSCN0368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bunkhouse at Woods Hole Hostel, VA, 2013. Well worth the stop.</td></tr>
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I usually try to stay off the trail every 4-5 nights, whether at a hiker hostel or a motel. That gives me a chance to clean up, unwind, charge my devices, and do laundry. Quality can vary pretty widely, particularly if you're staying at a hiker hostel, though I've had some great experiences at some of them.<br />
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<h3>
#1 -- Do you go alone?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvGFbS-9NhO1-eE6gjzSRgG4OCDqMEpNXU09eor0FxVk7BYzRyBfM1uNEYPaVcQfxLM9i1mTKei6r_XqfTIOpSqdaSZKwYJ_AOllHbAW5CsnOxkdAaxMDXE93pSsHXUei41Gf/s1600/P1010228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvGFbS-9NhO1-eE6gjzSRgG4OCDqMEpNXU09eor0FxVk7BYzRyBfM1uNEYPaVcQfxLM9i1mTKei6r_XqfTIOpSqdaSZKwYJ_AOllHbAW5CsnOxkdAaxMDXE93pSsHXUei41Gf/s320/P1010228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L to R) Torch, Spike, and Late Start, VA 2011</td></tr>
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</h3>
The number one question, without a doubt. I may start my hikes alone, but it's not uncommon to quickly enter into an extended trail community. You'll tend to meet many of the same people around shelters, campsites, and towns, and sometimes I'll even end up hiking with a person or two for a few days. It's really one of the funnest parts of the trail, meeting different people, and it's very gratifying to hike to a shelter at the end of the day and see familiar faces around you.<br />
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<h3>
Next time - The Journey Begins!</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15197126179031637023noreply@blogger.com0