Date: 2003-08-02
From: Franconia Notch, I93 (1450') 

To: Mt Lafayette, Greenleaft Hut (5249') 
Miles today: 6.4

Aloha! Wuhuu! What a great hiking day. No, make that just a great all around day and the excellent hiking was the topping on the cake. Wuhuuu!!!   The day began with an early breakfast of eggs and a Belgian Waffle at Peg's Eggs. Cute name, huh. A popular place with the locals for breakfast so that told me where I needed to go. Glad I did. Almost felt like I was back in Beeville at the American Cafe as a kid.   Nice memories.   From there it was back to the Cascade to pick up my stuff, say aloha to Gutsy and meet Drifter for a shuttle back to the trail. Gutsy was looking and feeling better as I departed but still not in any shape to hike out today. Pity, she would have enjoyed it on the top today.   She'll get there though. I know she will.   We may have discussed this before but leaving today reminded me of just how different friendships are out here. Think about it, I've known Gutsy for what, a week maybe, and just left almost all of my stuff with her having total faith that she will show up where she says she will toting all my gear with her.   In any other locale I would never have given a stranger (pretty much is since I don't even know her last name) my valuables and said, "see ya". Friendships and trust out here are so different from anything you would experience at home. It's wonderful.   I have no doubts that Gutsy will be where she says she will be when she says she will be there. And with all my stuff. Kind of weird but definitely cool.   It didn't take Bill long to deliver Drifter and me to the trailhead. Or as close as possible anyway. I was headed UP the 3 mile 2800' climb to the first false peak by 8a. It was only another 3.4 miles of UP to reach Mt Lafayette at its 5249' peak.   Whew! With the rain adding to the adventure (ha!) I was on my way to meet Pizazz. Yippeeee!!   To be honest, the trail was not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I realize of course that's because I wasn't carrying a full pack. I looked like I was day hiking in comparison to some I saw along the way. As a matter of fact, most I met or passed thought I was out for just the day.   (Couldn¢t smell me?) Without a bulging pack everyone "assumes" the person is a weekender. Assumptions are a terrible thing. Same thing goes for the thru or long distance hikers staying in the huts as customers vice work-for-stays. Interesting this "assuming" thing. Anyway, back on the trail.   I was on top of Franconia Ridge way before I expected to be. Awesome!   Franconia Ridge is a phenomenal ridge walk. Though I had mostly clouds for the UP portion, I lucked out with a blue sky above me by the time I summitted Lafayette. The clouds prevented me from seeing the landscape in the valley but the views of the trail to come and the one I had just traversed was awe inspiring.   Hiking above-tree line can, and will, leave the hiker totally awestruck. There's really no other word for it. Awestruck. I so love being high on the mountains with my being the tallest thing around. Awestruck. Trust me on this one.   Since I arrived at my turn off so early I spent an hour or so just chillin' out on the 5249' peak. Met and chatted with a SOBO named Poncho and his dog Lefty. This is Poncho's second southbound thru-hike having completed his first in 2001. This time he had decided to take in more of the side trails off the AT.   Still headed to Georgia but blue blazing a bit to see new. If I were ever to repeat this hike, which I'm not, I believe that's the way I would want to do it. There are some fantastic trails running off or across the AT. It's a pity I don't have the time or energy to explore them.   Some other day maybe. Back to Poncho, we chatted for a time and then he escorted me down the 1.1-mile Green Leaf Trail to the hut. He was headed on elsewhere from there.   The hut was reportedly 1.1 miles STRAIGHT DOWN the Greenleaf Trail... but it wasn't. That needs to be corrected in the books. It was a great hike going down and I really don't think it'll be terrible going back UP tomorrow. Yes, it is a long way off the trail for a thru-hiker but it really wasn't nearly as bad as stated.   Great hut too!   I had been sitting outside enjoying the quiet, coolness and view of Eagle Lakes when Pizazz arrived. Pizazz! You just have to know Pizaza, or any of the Phenoms to understand. With her arrival and our hiking together tomorrow I can once again say "I walk with Pizazz!"   It is so great to see her again. With her arrival I have now gotten the opportunity to spend time with all three of the women I most admire. Awesome!   As for the hut, it's been good. A bit overwhelming for me for a while but still good. The overwhelming part comes in with the arrival of a large party of loud and boisterous day hikers. They scared me! Lots of noise and activities going on helter skelter. Even during dinner their noise level was ear piercing.   The sad part was that it was the adults and not the kids. We're thinking a little too much alcohol flowing between them. The end result is that they were having a really good time and I was a bit overwhelmed. No big deal, just go outside.   Ahhh... lights off time. It's either headlamp or no lights from now until morning. Think I'll save the batteries and call it quits for the night. It's great to be here and even greater to have Pizazz with me. Life is so damned good these days.   Hopefully it is for you too. See ya tomorrow. I'd miss you if I didn't.BSandTs: nothing different than usualAandPs: nothing really; everything is improvingMandGs: loud and boisterous drinking hikers in the quiet of the woods... waah!Critter count: 2x chipmunks, 2x red squirrels