Date: 2007-08-04
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 11.8

Skiman and I were the only Thru Hikers who chose to sleep on the library floor last night, which was upstairs in the Mizpah Hut. It was a little warm to start out, but with the skylite open, it cooled off enough to make sleeping comfortable. Lights out are at 9:30 pm, so it was another later than usual night for us. The full moon shone through the skylite and was often in our eyes, so I just rolled over. The other Hikers choose to sleep on the diningroom tables or floor. We left the hut this morning at 5:40 am, before the weather forcast for the day would be available. This was the day of the Presidential ridge and we were watching the weather forecast hoping we would have beautiful weather. The hike started with a steep ascent out of the hut to Mt Clinton, 4180'. The Ibeuprophen for my knees hadn't quite started working, so Skiman passed me. Next, a family of four staying at the Hut were returning after climbing Clinton to watch the sunrise. I thought of the wonderful "memory maker" they had just created. It was cloudy and I don't think they actually saw the sun rise, but what we did see was a large cumulus cloud with a silver lining as the sun illuminated it from that back. The sky was blue with just a few puffy clouds. It should be a beautiful day on the ridge. I looked up at the mountains in awe. I had climbed them so many times in my life, but this time, on my Thru Hike, it would be different, as each experience is unique. By 8 am the fog had rolled in and we were in the clouds. We summited Mt Franklin, 5004'. Visability was about 50 yds as we reached Lake of the Clouds Hut at 8:30 am. We met the Hut Croo and were invited to help ourselves to leftover baked goods. We met 3 college age Thru Hikers who started in May and are averaging 24 miles per day. They reminded me of my son, Kevin. Skiman checked the weather forecast at the desk. We don't think we will see more than 20 ft from the summit, but we're thankful there is no rain or thunder storms predicted...Bummer! As I look out the window of the Lakes Hut, all I see is white. The summit of Mt Washington is an hour away. The temp is 57' with 35 mph gust. As we hiked toward Mt Washington two female Lakes Hut Croo members were descending with huge heavy wooden packframes full of food. One was wearing a skirt and graciously paused for us to take her picture. The only food I could distinguish was a 20 lb bag of large yellow onions! As we almost got to the summit, with the blind leading the blind from cairn to cairn, there was a brightness around us. We looked up at a hole in the clouds to see blue sky. Next, we saw all the towers of the summit. Then, as quickly as this change occurred, the clouds returned to fill in the hole and the mirage which was our destination was invisible. When we got to the summit, we asked others to take our picture at the Mt Washington sign and went into the building to have an early lunch and make phone calls. I am not looking forward to four more hours to Madison Hut in the clouds, but hopefully the weather will break. The good news is, no snow or rain, and we have seen the awesome view from Mt Washington before. I feel badly for the other Thru Hikers with us today, who will not be able to see the beauty we know is possible on a clear day. As soon as I mailed the journal for this morning to Richard, from the summit of Mt Washington, the sun came out and the view was clear. We were so fortunate! When we left, the Cog Railway was picking up passengers. As we hiked to Madison Spring Hut we met many hikers. We met a nice couple from Nashua, NH who recognized me from Trailjournals! They took my picture and said they'd been following my journey! The path was really all rock, cairn to cairn. When we arrived at the hut and started to take off our packs, a 14 yr old boy came up to Skiman holding a sleeping bag in the dry bag and asked if it was his! Indeed, Skiman's had come loose from his framepack and dropped off witout him knowing it. Thank goodness this young man picked it up and was hiking north, as we were, and not south! Magellan, Skiman, Dirty Earnie, Dr. Doom and I have secured work for stay tonight. Dirty Earnie had taken wonderful photos of a bull moose at the Cog Railway and right next to an AT sign today! We had ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and chocolate cake for dinner. Skiman and I had a good crowd for our presentation on our experience as Thru Hikers. We enjoyed the guests from Switzerland and Montreal alot. It is another late night to bed, since we are sleeping in the diningroom and have to wait until 9:30 for lights out. We are looking forward to seeing family and friends at Pinkham Notch tomorrow as we prepare for our last 300 miles on the AT. This past weeks mileage was 95.7. It is higher than the 12 mile per day suggested for NH, so Skiman and I felt we did our absolutely best hiking effort considering the terrain.