Date: 2015-08-02
From: White Mt. Hostel

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 21.1

Today I finished the Whites with a very ambitious 21 - mile hike from Pinkham Notch to Gorham, and aced it. Not only that, I'm putting it on my list of top ten favorite AT hike days to date! EDIT: Because of the distance and the difficult terrain in this section, Wilson and I were cautioned about attempting it. Which of course, only resulted in our attempting it. We knew it would be hard work. We knew it would be tiring. We knew our knees would probably be tight by day's end. We knew it was still the Whites. It was all of that, and then some. But it was also perfect weather: clear, cool start with sunny, blue skies all day, low humidity, dry rocks. We have been preparing for a day like this for months. Never mind that we are "too old" for a hike of this nature! Never mind the doubters who try and tell us its not possible! I woke up and knew instantly that I was "on"...some days are like that, all engines firing, and this was one of them. We left the hostel early, missing Marni's great breakfast, and settling on egg Mcmuffins to gain an hour head start of 7 instead of 8 o'clock. Cindi drove us to the trailhead, and we were off and running. Well, maybe not running, but at least cruising, up and over the Wildcats. The views of surrounding peaks were fabulous all day, especially of Mt. Washington, clear as a bell, including the road up its shoulder, and the buildings and towers on top. The Trail through this section was beautifully maintained, though rugged. In places, I was reminded of some Adirondack favorites, like Giant and Basin, though different. We happened upon Camel, the Trail adopter who gave us Snickers at Eliza Brook the day we hiked the Kinsmans. He was all rigged up in uniform and sitting at his post just off the AT; we greeted him and he remembered us, and brought out 2 more Snickers. There was more climbing, and more descending, and many, many more gorgeous views. There was a water/snack break on the shoulder of Mt. Moriah, and we indulged briefly in a sunbathing session, lying on the rock slabs, deepening the lines of our hiker tans. Then finally, a very, very long downhill to Rattle River Shelter, where we found Cindi awaiting our arrival. She had wanted to experience the AT firsthand, so had hiked the 2 miles in from Gorham, backpack and all. She and Wilson hiked out together from there, after photos were taken, while I cruised on ahead to the road in order to avoid the mosquitos that had suddenly made an appearance. Once I arrived at the parking lot I found trail magic in the form of drinks, chips and hot dogs provided by Bane and Rita. Since it was already nearing 7pm, I was happy for the "snack" to tide me over until dinner, which ended up being spaghetti and meatballs (yum). Since the hostel was booked for the night, we moved down the road to the Town & Country, cleaned up, and dropped onto soft beds, glad to have accomplished what we set out to do.I can't really say why or how today felt so good to me. I felt strong, and swift, and able, and in rhythm, and in tune with my Maker, who enables me, and gives the very air in my lungs, and causes my heart to go on beating. I am a woman of faith, who trusts that the One who brought me to this point is with me to the end.These song lyrics were part of my beginning this journey, and they have come to life in a big way, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:I can't see myself without youWith you I get strength to do things I've never ever dreamt in a million yearsI'm unstoppable 'cause You're here with meUnbelievable how I can believe how powerful You've caused me to beSee only You got me flying with eagles, walking on waterWith You I can do the impossibleJump over mountains with one single boundI've found out I can do the impossible.I'm adopting that signature for the remainder of the hike...all the way to Katahdin.