Date: 2008-06-12
From: eliza brook shelter

To: liberty springs tent site
Miles today: 11.4

Up and out and up to Kinsman peaks. The climb started off nice, but soon it was back to the two mile an hour pace going up at a 45 degree angle jumping from rock to rock. Slow and it doesn't seem to me like I'm making progress since I usually travel at 3mph, but it was a technically challenging and fun climb. The best part is since I'm in shape I can just go right up it still and don't have to stop or anything. Gave me a good boost of morale.As I neared the top I climbed into the clouds. IT was also windy again, so they were whipping past and it was pretty neat. No point in really stopping at the top so I just continued on.The other side was just as steep, so the going was slow. No big deal, I had plenty of time. I guess this is what the Whites will be like. Should be lots of fun, I am really enjoying the challenge so far.I came to my first hut. These huts are run by the AMC and are huge glorified shelters with a staff that prepares meals. Way out of my price range, but they do sell the leftovers cheap to hikers. I got the bottomless bowl of this tomato parmesan soup. Very good, and gave me a tremendous boost. Also got a good look at a trail topo and memorized what I could. Seems the trail always goes straight up and down the hills. No switchbacks, and not on the flattest portion. Great.On to Franconia Notch, and an amazing thing happened. I hit 3mph for a whole hour. That's not going to happen again for a long time.Got to where the road was supposed to be and it turns out there was a one mile trail to the road. Outstanding. I was trying to get to the PO before they took their lunch break. Better yet, when I did get to the road and discovered my book told me to go the wrong way, there was noone on the road. Started walking and went 3 miles before I got a hitch. At least I got one I guess.The PO was closed for lunch when I got there. Headed to the deli next door for lunch. A huge cheeseburger sub and 1400 calories worth of fudge covered graham crackers and a 2 liter of Nestea later, the PO opened.I got two packages. One with some of my winter gear back for the rest of my trip. The other was a care package from Bad Hummus. Had a book and literally all the food I needed to get to Gorham. That was amazing. Since we hiked together for so long, he knew exactly what my favorite flavors of everything were, and bought me exactly what I would have bought at the store. A huge shoutout to Bad Hummus.I was swapping out my gear and offering up my last book to people going in and out of the PO. Eventually got a taker. One lady came back out and asked me if I needed to go anywhere. I said the trailhead in about ten minutes. She said she had ten minutes of errands and would be back. SCORE. I love those hitches.She came back as promised just after I finished and I went back to the trail.Back up the other side of the hill. Steep again, but I powered right up it even with the full food bag. Feeling good.Wasn't sure where I was going to camp tonight. That problem was solved when I got to the campsite and the caretaker wasn't there. All the campsites and the few shelters in this stretch have a fee. BS, I'm not going to pay any. Settled in and took my first day under fifteen miles since Virginia I think.Nice view and plenty of daylight. Will read and relax the rest of the day.I'm going slow through the Whites. I'm taking a planned vacation from my hiking vacation when I get to Gorham, and only have to do about 14 miles a day to get there. Loads of extra time, so this will force me to slow down and take in the sites which is probably a good thing.