Date: 2014-08-12
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Chet's Place/Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 8.8

Boy did I have a good night's sleep. My knee is still hurting and it doesn't look good for me to continue. I got some more vitamin I from Hoops - thank God! The White's continue to be a different animal as I climbed to the top of South Kinsman through oversized boulders and washouts that required me to cling to tree roots and branches or whatever else it took to make my way up. The views on the top were beautiful despite the clouds running wild everywhere over the surrounding mountains. I broke for snack and xtra vitamin I to rest my knees as I knew I would have a tough time going down. And I did. I was no longer hiking it was rock climbing or should I say rock slipping and sliding down sheer boulder faces and shelves. By now my knee was more painful and had slowed me down to less than 1 mph. I passed kinsman pond shelter but the caretaker was not there. I finally made it to Lonesome Lake Hut and once again took a break to eat and rest my knee. It was real nice to get fresh clean water from them and not have to filter it. I was able to elevate my leg for about an hour and then continued my march down to Franconia Notch. My problems continued to mount when I reached Whitehouse Brook when I could not for the life of me find the way across. I had lost the trail and my knee was quickly failing and I could not afford to keep going up and down the shore to look for the way across. There was no blaze and no tracks to speak of. I finally found some pole holes and took a chance and crossed there. Luckily it was the right way. By now I was using my pole almost like a crutch and vitamin I was not even cutting the pain. Each step sent a bolt of pain up my leg and I began to seriously think I was done. I just didn't know what I was going to do as a knee injury isn't something you just walk off. I've walked through pain a lot of times but this was totally different.The trail began to get a little smoother and flatter so I made my way taking baby steps with my bad leg. I finally made it to the I-93 under pass and walked a mile to the Flume Visitor's Center. It was nice because the path was paved and I was able to manage the pain as I walked. I picked up my package which must have weighed 9 pounds and wondered how I was going to carry it now with my knee being the way it was. On top of that, the forecast called for rain tonight and heavy storm rain tomorrow. I had no idea where I was going to stay with everyone scrambling to get out of the weather and how I was going to deal with my knee. I called Laura to let her know of my problem and just listening to her and her guidance helped steady me. After talking to her, things got even better when I made connection with Chet's "One Step At A Time" Hostel. It's a really neat place with a garage converted with bunks and has a fridge, shower and laundry. After getting situated I walked the few blocks to the main drag for a knee brace, Ibuprophen and some food. With that done I relaxed for the rest of the night with my leg up pondering what items to bump forward to lighten my pack load. I will work more on this tomorrow.In looking back I'm just so thankful that every time a problem or situation arises things work out with help from family and friends and a lot of prayer which was the case in this situation.