Date: 2005-08-27
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.7

On the way into the campsite last night there was a boulder with a bench on it, facing to the east. It looked like a great place to view a sunrise. I made the decision to get up early, watch the sunrise, and then head out. Everyone else wanted to sleep in a little so I told them I would meet them at the Galehead Hut later that morning. I had a hard time sleeping and during one of my awake periods I just lay there and watched the stars. Another thing I have not done enough of out here! I fell back asleep and when I woke up I had to scramble if I was going to make it before the sun crested the mountain. I moved everything away from the platform so I wouldn't wake the others while I packed. The top of my sleeping bag was soaked, not from rain, but from the heavy dew. I was going to have to dry it out later. I made a beeline for the bench and I made it about five minutes before the sun came over the mountain. It was a bright sun, a very bright sun, with few clouds. Looked like it was going to be another awesome day! I hiked to Galehead Hut and got there around 8:30. I took all the damp stuff out of my pack and let the sun dry it out. There were a lot of people heading out from there including, Brother Buzz, Lightning, Easty, Goosebump, Wildcat, Thrifty, and Navigator. They planned on going a lot farther than we did today but we have noticed the Whites tend to change ones plans quickly. One at a time the rest of the group rolled in. The plan was to hang out here until lunch, eat the bottomless bowl of soup, and then move on. We still had time to kill so we broke out the Trivial Pursuit game. It was a lot of fun and we continued to play as we ate. Mouth was the eventual winner. The crew packed up and we headed out in the early afternoon. We were going to see if we could get work for stay at the Zealand Hut. It is tough for a group our size to get work for stay. The huts will take at least two thru-hikers, maybe more, depending on the hut. We don't count on it so we always have a backup place to end the day. We had one more 1100 foot climb, up South Twin Mountain, which was another steep one. Mouth took off quickly. Tink also blasted off like a shot. Touk and I followed Tink. Gypsy was taking the "stroll" method to get to the top. Tink was relaxing when Touk and I reached the top. Mouth had already taken off but the three of us enjoyed the view and relaxed while we waited for Gypsy. After Gypsy showed and after we had a snack I decided to go into "walk" mode, or as Touk puts it, "Cuppa Go Go" mode, for the final few miles. The trail down wasn't too bad, some rough spots but not horrible. I arrived at the Zealand Hut around 5:15 and got the thumbs down from Mouth. They were only taking two for work for stay and they were filled, by Hitman and Puss Gut. We waited for the girls and told them the situation when they arrived. We all loaded up on water and headed to the stealth site, not too far up the trail. Now, you would think stealth meant small and sneaky. Not this place! You could tell it had been well used and by a whole lot of people at one time. Not dirty or anything but a larger cleared area than one would imagine for a stealth site. We pitched our tents, ate and talked till dark. I really think we have a good group. We get along well, are able to tease one another without offending, and we all have the same attitude toward finishing the hike...taking it slow and enjoying the moment. A good family if I say so myself!