Date: 2006-08-14
From: Madison Hut

To: Mt. Washington/ Pinkham Notch Joe Dodge Lodge
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: broken clouds

Stayed warm sleeping last night on the floor of the dining room of the hut. Went to sleep still hearing the wind howling even with earplugs in, but woke up refreshed and to the sounds of pancakes being made. Its still chilly and the nobos are still trying to come up with a trail name for me. They have a little card they are writing ideas on and plan to take a vote. We have plenty of time to chat as we don't get to eat breakfast until after the guests eat and the dishes are clean. The name they vote for me is Alpaca Superstar. I'm not crazy about it but I play along with them. Afterall, they are heading north and I am heading south. I tell them I will try it out and then they write up this hilarious "legal" document declaring my name change. The pancakes are delicious. Time to head out. I'm hesistant because I am afraid it will be like yesterday, cold with 70 mile wind gusts. Its not though, and actually once I get hiking I have to strip off my wind/rain gear.Actually, the weather is great, the sky is beautiful and while I get a little warm in my wind shirt, I'm so happy I have it on when the wind does kick in. The trail is pretty manageable too. The rocks are mostly big and flat, nice stepping stones. I pass by the Adams Mountains, then Jefferson, then Clay and finally I am ready to make the final climb up to Washington. I stop for lunch and find a spot behind a big rock where I am shielded from the wind. A woman at the hut had offered Crake and me some sausage and I pull my portion out to have for lunch with some cheese and crackers. I'm not too fond of the taste, so I only eat about 3 or 4 bites. It's not thirty minutes later and I am having terrible indigestion. Then my stomach starts cramping. I stop and get a tums out of my pill bag and sit for a few minutes. I push on; I only have 1.5 miles to the summit. This is by far the most miserable 1.5 miles I have ever walked. I am in so much pain. I am stopping every few minutes to hold my breath while my stomach cramps. This of course makes me light headed. I eventually have to unhook my hip belt. Only half a a mile to go. Another hiker has seen me sit and rest and asks me if I am okay. I tell him about my upset stomach and he tells me that there is soft drinks at the summit house and a place for me to rest and get help if I need it. I'm on my last 2 tenths of a mile and I feel so nauseous. I think to myself, "I just want to throw up." Be careful what you wish for. I toss my cookies between two rocks. I look up to see that thre are people on the observation deck. I'm sure they got a lovely show. Struggling to make it to the top now because I feel like crap and because at my slow pace and the increase in wind at this higher elevation, I am chilled to the bone. I make it to the top of Washington and can't even think about getting my picture taken at the summit sign. All I can think about is getting in that building and laying down. I ask directions, walk in and immediately find a bench to lay down on. My stomach is in knots. I have never had a stomach ache that was this painful and that lasted this long. The Ranger, Joe, comes over to me and asks me if I am okay. He quizzes me on where I have come from and where I am going and then lets me know that there is a shuttle that will take me to Pinkham Notch where I can stay. Lake of the Clouds Hut, my destination, is 1.5 miles away, hiking. I tell the ranger that I want to wait to decide on the shuttle for a bit and see if my stomach begins to feel better. I go to the ladies room. I momentarily feel better. The ranger continues to check on me and offers to take my bloood pressure. I agree. 124/80, pulse of 80. Perfectly normal. I guess he's thinking I have altitude sickness, but I am positive it is the sausage that has knocked me out of commision. Back to the ladies room to empty my stomach again. I agree to take the shuttle. Three bites of sausage is going to cost me a pretty penny, but I feel so bad I don't care. The ranger carries my pack over to the gift house where Margaret and Denise are closing up shop. They will shuttle me down the mountain, and have called to see if there is availability in the lodge for me.It seems like forever before we leave and my stomach is still cramping. The van fills up with seven Orthodox Jewish young men that have just climbed up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. Margaret gives lots of information on the history of the summit house and the White mtns and I try and concentrate on her talking rather than my tummy. She lets me know that it might be possible for me to get a ride back up to the summit tomorrow. I check into the lodge. I have a room with two sets of bunkbeds. I lay down and rest and begn to feel better. I decide to go down the hall and get a shower. Hopefully, being clean will help me feel better too. Then, I call home and fill the folks in on my day. They are happy to hear from me as they have been reading other online trail journals which mention poor weather on Mt. Washington and they wonder if I am in it. (Seems like reading trail journals is my family's new "must see TV!") :o)Anyway, nice chat until his rude man hovers over me wanting to use the payphone. Nevermind, as I need to get some rest. My tummy is feeling more settled, but I want to make sure it is ready for all you can eat breakfast tomorrow morning seeing as it has been in knots for the latter part of the day and I am skipping supper. Journal updated. Lights out.