Date: 2010-08-21
From: Ethan Pond Campsite

To: Mizpah Springs Hut
Miles today: 9.3

August 21, 2010 ¢ Day 139 - SaturdayLeft the pond and had an easy walk to Crawford Notch and Hwy US 302. I met Casper and No Longer Chef and they told me Boomer and Aussie had to go home because his staff infection continued to bother him, a condition he got after contracting Lyme Disease. Doctors told him he needed to go home and aggressively treat the infection.Nate Dog, Captain Slick and I crossed 302 and started the climb up Mt. Webster. Half way up I came to an overlook called Webster Cliffs. Magnificent views of mountains and the valley below could be seen. Vehicles on US 302 were smaller than Matchbox cars.The weather the last couple of days has been outstanding. Morning temperatures in the low 40's and the daytime temperatures in the high 70's. Believe me when I say this, "It was sooo good to be in cooler weather."The day's climb was not over. Mt. Jackson was the next mountain to challenge. I had to negotiate large sections of rock face ascending almost vertically. Little nitches, small cracks and rough protruding rocks in the rock wall became foot and hand holds. The climb was hard but the dividends were rewarding with panoramic mountain views that created an intersection of earth and sky.I arrived at Mizpah Springs Hut another fine Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) facility. The AMC organization runs the huts and campgrounds in the White Mountains. Hikers have tendency to dislike the AMC because they charge to stay in the huts and at the campground. I believe the money is spent wisely to protect both the people and the land and to educate folks about the wilds of nature. Without the AMC taking an active role here in the Whites, the greed of developers and their lawyers would ruin the pristine beauty and pollute the wilderness that abounds here.I looked at the weather forecast for the next couple of days. Our plan was to continue on to Lake of the Clouds Hut spend the night and summit Mt. Washington the following morning. The forecast changed the plan (This is why I always try to have an alternative plan). A low weather system was moving in and was going to be stationary over the area for the next several days. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and high wind with gust exceeding 60 mph could be expected on mountain summits. Ouch!I hatched Plan B with Nate Dog and Capt. Slick. Instead of going to the next hut, stay at Mizpah and work for stay. Hike the next day to Lake of the Clouds and work for stay there. Monday would be a better day to summit Mt. Washington. I talked to the hut master and told him I could give a talk about hiking the AT and Nate and Slick could work the kitchen. He liked the idea.The croo (workers of the hut) cooked a turkey dinner that was great. We let the guest eat then ate with the croo. I gave my talk after dinner to 50 plus guests. The audience asked very interesting questions. Several guests came up to me, including members of the croo, and told me they liked my presentation.The best trail magic I ever received on any trail occurred after my talk. A gentleman by the name of Gary approached Nate Dog and told him he was hiking in a group of 12. Four members cancelled and he offered us their paid slots for Lake of the Clouds Hut. If everything works out, Plan C will be Nate Dog, Capt. Slick and I will be guests of Lake of the Clouds Hut.if not now then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe