Date: 2014-08-21
From: U.S.2/white Mtn. Lodge & Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 12.8

With the White Mountains behind I looked forward to taking on new challenges that will be coming such as the Mahoosuc Notch and the Bigelows. Today however would be short day as I continue to be careful with my knees. While the mileage is short my pack weight is back up as I have a number of days to cover before I can resupply.I was up a lot last night with my shoulder aching and I could not get comfortable. Hopefully with time it will get better. Since I couldn't sleep I was up at 530 to shower and went down stairs to do some last minute journaling on the computer. Since breakfast wasn't until 7 I also finished packing my pack so I would be ready to hit the trail and get going a lot quicker. The people at White Mountain Lodging and Hostel have been great and is a place I would like to come back to visit. There is so much to see in this area and its not just the mountains even though they have been spectacular. First up for the day was a 3.6 mile climb up Mt. Hayes with an elevation gain of 1700 feet. The trail was very kind despite its steepness with good foot holds and good traction on the rock faces. As I gained elevation there were a number of nice views which gave me an excuse to take a break and a snack. Made good time and topped out onto Cascade mountain where I ran into Brave Heart. She started on 5/1 and has gotten this far already. What's really impressive is the fact that she is doing all of this while dealing with M.S. She's quite ambitious and after the AT she is going to finish up the rest of the Long Trail before the end of September. I wish her the best of luck. I made my way down the mountain past Trident Col Campsites and back up to Wocket Ledge mm 1895.5 with an elevation 2643. I enjoyed a nice break there with a gently blowing breeze and a view to the valley below. I was also able to speak to my son Kris who is flying to the U.K. to teach there for the next couple of years. I'm so excited for him but was sad that it will be some time before I see him again. Things are always changing and my wife and I will definitely be going to visit him when we can. The trail continues to be good as well as my knees with my left one only a 2 on the pain scale and the right about a 4. I ran into several SOBO's and NOBO's going South ( a very nice family of 5 with 1 girl and 2 boys). I passed a couple of ponds and lakes and carefully looked for any sigh of moose but none were to be seen. Seeing a lot of moose poop again way up on top of the mountains but nothing really fresh. Got to Gentian and its a nice old shelter with a bit of a loft. I swept it out and made myself comfortable. The only drawback is the water source which has beavers. Since I had no filter I have taken to doubling my iodine tablets to make sure its safe. Now is definitely not the time to get sick and I'm taking no chances. A group of older hikers from PA are here also but are tenting up above. They stopped down for dinner and we had a nice conversation. They have done a lot of hiking around the world which is pretty neat. I spent the rest of the evening journaling and reading. I had the place all to myself which is strange as I go from a crowded shelter to an empty one. This bubble is in a real state of flux. I will sleep good tonight as I have a view of the valley below and the sound of the stream falling down the side of the mountain in the background. I'm looking forward to going into Maine tomorrow and also over the 1900 mile mark! Still can't wrap my head around how far I have come.