Date: 2007-08-23
From: Warren, NH

To: Kinsman Notch, NH; Lakehouse, VT
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is our last day of our slack pack deal, over Moosilauke, the last evening (of a total of about 10 or so) we will spend at the home of the wonderful Shaws, the last night we will sleep in a bed for a while.   We've made it all the way through Vermont and halfway through New Hampshire without having to sleep outside, carrying barely any gear besides what we need for the day, without spending more time than we had to in the great outdoors.   But the AT is supposed to be a wilderness experience, and so it was time to once again sleep in the woods. We are gearing up, literally and figuratively, for the esteemed and intimidating Whites of New Hampshire, the mountains hikers have been talking about for the entire length of the trail, supposedly "what hiking the AT is all about."   Even after 5 months of hiking and conditioning, the toughest terrain is yet to come. But also the most amazing sights we will likely see along the way, making the last 5 months worth every effort. Before entering the Whites is when most hikers pick up their winter gear again, for the weather becomes unpredictable even during warm summer months.   Cold weather gear adds a few pounds and a great deal of bulk to my now streamlined pack, just in time for the trail's most difficult terrain. My brother, bless his heart, has faithfully sent me all my mail drops over the past few months, a space in his garage dedicated to my hiking gear and piles of prepackaged food.   He has been so good to me, for all of my boxes have so far arrived on time and to the right place.   And when I need something unexpectedly, I call and leave him a message and the item is always, without doubt, waiting for me at the next post office. I thought I could make it to Maine with a 40-degree sleeping bag, but realizing that to be a bad idea, I frantically called my brother and asked him to send me my 20-degree North Face bag, located somewhere in my grandmother's attic.   Winter bags are bulky and thus require a stuff sack to fit them inside of a backpack; otherwise you will have space for nothing else. My dear brother, however, couldn't find the stuff sack so took the huge sleeping bag to the post office as is, inquiring "do you have a box that this sleeping bag will fit in?"   Not taking no for an answer and wanting to prove to the postal clerk that he definitely could fit the sleeping bag in a priority mail box despite warnings to the contrary, he got a flat-rate box, set it upright on the floor, and shoved the sleeping bag in using both hands and feet.   I am surprised the box didn't explode en route. I and all the hikers around laughed as I pulled the sleeping bag out of its packaging.   My brother was right ¢ a warm sleeping bag without the stuff sack is preferable to none at all. With my warm gear shoved firmly in my backpack and the temperatures rising, I am convinced that major trends in weather are controlled by what gear I plan carry. After a warm March start in Georgia, as I prepared to trade out my cold weather gear for a lightweight sleeping bag and shorts, an unseasonable snowstorm hit Erwin, TN, with record snowfall and low temperatures at the beginning of April. And, as I just picked up my winter sleeping bag in Glencliff today, we've encountered temperatures in the 90s. Offering to "take one for the team," I agreed to wear my rain gear for the rest of the trip to ensure sunny skies¢¦not. miles remaining 389