Date: 2005-08-13
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hopeful:   We had our first taste of New Hampshire's White Mountains today. I asked around the shelter area for first impressions.   "Magnanemous!" --Free   "Glad to be here." --Princess   "This engine is powered by TVP." --Scared of the Dark   "It's one place I already know I'm going to come back and visit again."                                                                --Pogo   Here with us, too, area a father & son from NH who are out for the weekend, and of course, Red Wing!   Today was a day when we had an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. We thank God for the early morning anticipation of an exciting day. We're thankful for all the extras who joined the hiking crew for the day-- Strider who planned to start out with us, and Hairball's Dad and Uncle, along with good friend, Break In, arrived at the hostel to hike up as well. We're thankful for the incredible cookies that Vicki sent with Strider for us. We gave thanks for a morning without rain, although the fog was thick.    The day began with a steady hike over 3,600 feet. That still sounds incredibly daunting to me, yet after more than four months of "practice", we find ourselves feeling incredibly strong. Near the top of Mt. Moosilauke, we stepped out above tree line. I'm basically a rookie in this area, and it is impressive-- even before the fog cleared to see the view. The wind gusts nearly blew us over as we grouped up for photos at the summit sign. Strider had to head back down and go home at this point, so we said good bye, wishing he could keep hiking with us. We hope someday we'll get together again.   We waited at the summit more than 1/2 hour, hoping the fog would clear, and it began to do so before we headed over the other side for an outrageously steep descent. I think the amount of sweating on the downhill was competitive with the uphill climb, only this sweat was more due to nervousnes and the need to use upper and lower body strength to lower ourselves over rocks. We made terrible time for the 1.5 mile descent, it took us an hour and 15 minutes. One great stop along the way was Beaver Brook shelter with a view of Franconia Ridge, which we'll see up close in a couple of days. We enjoyed treats that Snowman and Sparkplug had left for us and other hikers near the road in Kinsman Notch below. At the Notch we also found a sign for anyone heading up that way saying something close to the following: "Extremely dangerous trail. If you think you lack the experience or equipment, stop and take another trail. Take extra caution at the cascades to avoid tragic results." Sometimes the Dartmouth Outdoor Club who maintains this section of trail does so with a bit of humor. Yesterday we passed the Hexacuba ehlter (yes, a six sided one), alongside the Pentaprivy. And the sign at the Beaver Brook outhouse says, "There's no 'P' in this 'Rivy'. Pee in the woods!" The "pee" rule is standard for composting privies (excessive liquid impedes the composting process, and stinks), but I hadn't seen it stated quite that way before.   Our packs felt much heavier today. Not only are they full of food after our mail drop in Glencliff, but we also got back our 20 degree sleeping bags, hats and extra layer, anticipating the cooler weather in the Whites. Red Wing's pack weighed in at 36 pounds, and mind at about 31.      There's a wide brook at the shelter tonight, and we've taken turns bathing in it. Free kindly saved us a spot for our tent. We left at 7 AM and didn't get there until 6:45 PM-- almost a 12 hour day! Those 17 miles were the hardest we've done yet, and we took some nice breaks to enjoy the views.       To wrap it all up: We're thankful for the chance to enjoy this day, in this place. We're thankful that my cousin Nate and his friend Al are coming to visit tomorrow. We're thankful for the hope of a good night's sleep. We're thankful for such an awesome Creator of it all, who makes a way for us to have a relationship with Him.