Date: 2015-08-24
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.0

As usual, I woke up between 5 and 5:30, and started to pack up. We had to be off the dining room floor by 6:30 so the Croo could set up for breakfast. I got my pack ready, ate some of my own oatmeal, and waited until 7 for the weather report. I was not going to stick around for breakfast leftovers.As I was getting ready to leave the Croo started their skit to encourage guests to properly fold the wool blankets on their bed and to shamelessly tell the guests they want tips - specifically twenties. Each Hut does a different skit, and this was the best one. It was based upon the movie Titanic, and it was extremely funny. I am glad I did not miss it.Then I was off to climb the highest mountain in the Whites. The trail was rocky but surprisingly easy. I had taken a different trail up to the summit last summer and it was MUCH harder. The day hiking guests from the Hut, with their much lighter packs, all passed me but I did not mind. Although the weather forecast called for heavy fog, the sun periodically poked through the clouds, providing for breathtaking views. It rained the night before but the rocks were already starting to dry, and there was a slight breeze. The only fly in the ointment was a small family with 2 kids. They loudly yelled to each other, and at times the kids screamed for no apparent reason. THEY should have attended my LNT talk. Unfortunately those folks could care less about LNT, trail etiquette, or consideration of others in general. Once at the summit, I took pictures then headed to the snackbar. They had all my favorite go tos- Diet Coke, ice cream, and York Peppermint Patties. Then I checked out the museum and stores, and mailed a few things before getting 2 hotdogs with kraut, a big bowl of chilli, and a Gatorade. It was time to head down the ridge before a thunderstorm rolled in. Several trails intersect at the summit, so I was careful to make sure I was on the AT. It was a rocky mess. Large rocks just thrown in a jumble made up the trail, and it was like that all the rest of the day. It is very tiring to have to carefully plan each step, and either step up or step down. And it is very hard on the knees and ankles. Just for fun, occassionally there were bigger rocks I had to climb up and over. And for an extra challenge, sometimes the climbs up or down were very steep. Sometimes, to avoid falling, I just sat down and crab walked over the rocks, scooting on my butt. Unfortunately I scooted over a rough rock and snagged a few holes in the seat of my pants. I hope my granny panties do not show.The trail was on a ridge for what seemed like forever. The trail left the summit and crossed the track for the cog railway. It parallelled the track for a little while, and then eventually it turned but remained on a ridge. I closely watched the weather. Dark clouds passed over, but the wind did not pick up and the temperature did not drop, so I kept hiking and kept my fingers crossed.Every so often there was an intersection with another trail. I carefully checked and rechecked the wooden signs, my AT guide, and my map to make sure I did not accidentally get off the AT. I do not want to hike any extra miles due to a dumb mistake.Since I was up on a fully exposed ridge, going to the bathroom was an issue. I tried my best to duck behind a large boulder or rock outcropping, but I was still pretty much out in the open.The white blazes became scarce. I was pretty sure I was on the AT, but I grew concerned when I could not see the Madison Spring Hut off in the distance. At each rise I would look but did not see anything but more ridgeline and more rocks. I was getting very tired and I started to worry that I had made a mistake and was no longer on the AT.Finally I saw one of those little dollar size streaks of white. Then I finally saw the Hut. I had enough of the rocks. It was about 6:30, a little late for WFS. The available spots were probably already gone, but I was at least going to ask.I went in and humbly asked for WFS. To my surprise I was immediately accepted. Then I humbly asked if I could possibly have an evening chore rather than a morning chore. I added that I am a LNT instructor, a Wilderness First Responder, a Florida Master Naturalist, and a Certified Interpretive Guide, and I would be happy to do an evening program if they needed one.Initially I was told they already had an evening program. But the speaker had also cooked all day. So it was decided that my chore would be evening speaker. I also got to eat BEFORE doing my program. I had a plate full of flank steak and rice with a big piece of walnut cake for dessert.An announcement was made listing my qualifications, and that I was doing my program in a corner of the room. Again initially no one came near me. Then 3 lovely gentlemen came by to ask me about some obscure mushroom they saw on some side trail. There are literally thousands of species of mushrooms. I had no idea what they saw.   But we spent about 1/2 hour talking about all sorts of other things about the AT, which I enjoyed.So all those classes I have been taking in recent years have finally paid off. I got room and board for 2 nights and only had to "work" about an hour, and it really did not seem like work at all because I enjoyed it.The Croo made an announcement that at 9:30 the dining area would be closing.   We would not have to chase out the guests tonight. But there were only 3 of us, a southbounder, a northbounder I met a while back, and me. I again set up my pad and sleeping bag between a table and the wall. Just before I went to sleep I looked up and out the window.   The sky was clear and the stars were amazing.The AT is calling. So far I have been fortunate to stay dry and stay safe. Unfortunately I have a feeling my luck is about to run out.