Date: 2004-05-28
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham, NH (Hiker's Paradise)
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

Log entry: 118Start hike: 0800End hike: 1515Morning weather: Clouds and fog, warmAfternoon weather: Partial sun, then rainEvening weather: Rain on and offBreakfast: Star CrunchLunch: Beef jerky and Sunbelt barsDinner: PizzaTrail description: The last of the New Hampshire climbs out of the notch up to Carter Dome. Long, steep, a little technical. Moving was pretty slow. The views from todays summits were probably great but all clouds for me once again. I got turned around for the first time on my whole trip today, I'll fill you in on that later. A brutal descent down Carter Mt into Imp campsite, some wicked drop-offs. A nice climb up Mt Moriah, at least I enjoyed it. A good slope with lots of open, bedrock or facerock as most of the locals call it. The downhill into US 2 was for the most part easy, wide pathway.People: Tiana in the morning, some AMC peeps "turning poop" at Imp shelter, Baden at the hostelAnimals: Nutin'Money spent: $20 for stay and laundry, $18 for pizza, soda, and GatoradeComplaints: Frustrated that I screwed up and got turned around for an hour or so. But I'm over it. The Pistons lost. That will sting for a while yet.Thoughts: I woke up at 0500 to the sound of footsteps across the porch of thebunkhouse. I forgot to mention in yesterday's journal that the scary dude'sleather boots creaked. Just like you can imagine, freaky. The dude had the whole package. Thin, whispy blond hair, an eye that was just a fuzz lazy, and the whistling nose. I was glad when his shadow, complete with pack, moved past my door and down the steps. Getting an early start I imagined. It was raining hard.I still planned on 2 more hours of sleep and my 0700 alarm came soon enough.I packed things up and joined Tiana in the kitchen for a quick breakfast at0720. Tiana said Scary Dude left the kitchen area around 0530. (Her chambers are in the mess hall but she has a door that locks and a peep hole. It was a relief that he was gone. Looking back I feel a little guilty about judging him, but he did creep me out. Okay, one more freaky thing about him and we will put him to rest.Tiana and I were chatting about my future aspirations and goals as an officerand he sidled his way over to our table. Which is cool and all, I just expected him to maybe share in the conversation a bit. Well, he eventually did. When I mentioned that one day I would eventually like to make Dectective he asked what the murder rate is like in Holland and how many unsolved cases we have. I wish I could describe the look on Tian's face as he spoke. Sheer, mortal terror. I gave him some roundabout answer. I am sure he is just a lonely 30-something harmless dude from New Jersey, but he needs to work on his people skills a bit.By 0800 the radio check-in was complete and I scooted out the door. It took alittle over an hour to climb up to Carter Dome. What happens next will go down in the AT history books as "Taco's Folly". Gather 'round kiddos.First off, the AT through the Whites is a itle tricky to follow. It is superbly blazed but the criss-crossing trails make things a little sketchy sometimes. Plus almost none of the signs say AT on them but rather the name of the particular trail you are on. So you aren't walking the Appalachian Trail, but rather Fishin Jimmy Trail, Webster Cliffs Trail, Fraconia Ridge Trail, Crawford Path, etc. If you watch you maps and pay attention to blazes you will be fine.Well, I missed the official AT route over Mt Hight and mistakenly took a sidetrail into Zeta pass, where the AT eventualy goes. When the AT rejoins, all Inoticed was the white blaze on my right and took the trail, figuring it was just part of a switchback or something. So I climbed up the backside of Mt Hight (which is a bear) and then found myself a little confused as the trail seemed to be heading back for Carter Notch. I figured that when I stopped to shed rain gear I go turned around in the fog and headed SOBO. When I reached the Black Angel trail intersection again, I knew I screwed up.After a couple minutes with my map it was fairly obvious where I was. The simple thing to do would be to take the summit by-pass back to Zeta pass but I just wanted to stick to the AT, even if it added extra time, miles, and climbs. So back I went over and down Mt Hight. In the end none of the AT was missed and just my pride was a little hurt. I imagine that 96% of you are more confused than a blonde at a stop sign but basically I walked a loop. Maybe when I get back I will scan the section of map and be able to post it. So I carried on, a little miffed that I could be so stupid but eventually gotto Imp shelter where I took a 20 minute break. There was a group of AMC peoplethere being taught how to compost the privy. I thanked them for their effortsand mentioned how thankful I was for the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) and the kind peeps that work for them.After some beef jerky I headed toward US 2. The rain started around Rattle River Shelter and continued until a young dude picked me up in his Mercedes. A nice guy, he wanted to score some weed off me, but I just told him I didn't smoke. He seemed a bit disappointed. Sorry bud (pun intended).He dropped me of at the Colonial Comfort Inn and an older guy named Bruno showed me to the hostel part where I was greeted by Baden. A super cool dude. By the way, if you are going to smoke weed here, you have to do it out on the porch.I did laundry and spent the evening munching on pizza from Mr Pizza and watchedthe Detroit Pistons lose to the Pacers.My first zero tomorrow since April 12. My sister is meeting me here in themorning. Not sure what we'll do. I guess not hike, cause I think that's what you do on a zero."What is this feeling?!?"