Date: 2019-06-10
From: Lincoln

To: Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0

OUR ORIGINAL PLAN:Today¢s plan is based on the knowledge that there are two storm systems combining into one and heading our way.We are presently experiencing clear weather, so the plan is to quickly resupply and to climb up Mt Washington.  This is on the understanding that we will be picked up at the top and brought back down again, so that we can have a zero day on Tuesday. THE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:This plan takes into consideration what the locals are telling us, as they have advised us to stay off the mountain on Tuesday.We are respectful of the fact that this area can generate its own weather patterns that at times are quite unpredictable!This can be a recipe for disaster, as the history of ¢lives lost¢ shows.That said and given the easy accessibility of vehicles to Mt Washington¢s Summit, we made the call that our plan to shin up to the top today (Monday) was sound.   PLAN B:However, on checking and re-checking our plan Silver Streak found out that today the authorities are only allowing motorbikes up the road to the Summit.  Therefore, we have no way to getting off the mountain if we continued with our original plan. Factoring in the fact that Silver Streak has still not had an X-ray of his very swollen and painful finger, we have made the difficult decision to have a double zero.A Hard but Right DecisionFor me, this is hard decision but the right decision.  My primary goalHas always been to ¢kiss the plaque¢ on Baxter Peak on Katahdin.  The secondary goalIs to complete the Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail within the allotted time of 180 days that my visa allows.  So the quicker I get the AT done, the greater the chance of my being able to get to monument 78 on the US / Canadian border i.e. the northern terminal of the PCT.Building a ¢buffer¢ of days, gives me the security that allows me to deal with unforeseen situations and events.We have in the past adjusted our plans to allow for pending storms that have either not-eventuated or that have been re-directed.  So sitting here with a calm day, clear sky and sunshine, good old ¢Hiker Brain¢ is not happy!  Only time will tell how this will all pan out.  Update:The results of Silver Streak delayed visit to the doctor is that he has an oblique fracture of his proximal phalanges of his little finger L) hand. It¢s a game-changing result.  Unfortunately Silver Streak¢s thru-hike is over for now.  Had the terrain ahead been a simple walk in the park he would have continued but cannot do so with all the climbing required on this demanding section of the track.  So again my plans have changed.  I will keep you informed as it unfolds.Rather than have the carpet pulled from under us - We learn to dance on a moving carpet.  On a lighter note:Having seen a bear, both Silver Streak and myself are now hanging out to see a moose. We have become so focused that every unexplained noise is a moose. The other day we spotted a small deer on the trail and we enjoyed conjuring up all sorts of cunning plans whereby we could photograph it and claim it to have been a moose! The things we do to keep our spirits up!  Well unfortunately and sadly, given the radical change in plans, this is as close as Silver Streak will get to a moose on this trip.( see photo) ¢Here¢s looking at ya mate!¢