Date: 2014-07-16
From: Glencliff, NH (Hikers Welcome Hostel)

To: Eliza Brook Campsite, NH
Miles today: 16.8

I was up early before most of the hikers in the hostel were stirring. My plan was to get out on the trail early and start the very steep 3500 ft climb allowing me to get up and over the formidable Mt Moosilauke by early afternoon. However the weather was not cooperating. Last nights storms still lingered and the weatherman wasn't expecting it to clear until late morning. I had eaten and packed up my gear ready to go but I decided to sit a little while to see if the rain would lighten up. As I sat, more hikers began to wake and come down to the common room. In discussions with some of the southbounders they said the north side of Moosilauke was going to be real tough coming down in the wet and rain (which I will have to do) because it was one of the steepest sections of the AT. A number of the northbounders suggested I slackpack the section and take on the section going up rather than down. The hostel would take me around to the north side to allow me to do this. So I sat thinking about what in should do. By 8 am the rain was starting to slacken and I decided I would push on. If the north side proved to be too treacherous coming down in the wet I could bailout at a shelter on the steep side of the mountain and wait out the weather. So I dawned my "humpback cape" (aka my poncho) and headed out into the rain and the long climb up my first White Mountain. Once back on the trail I hit my first obstacle, a rain swollen stream. I found a fallen tree across the stream and shimmed over without getting soaked. Then up I went. At first the trail is a mild climb through some grass pastures but as I approached the mountain it grew much steeper and I had to navigate rocks. I reached the summit in about 2 hours. It was a bit dreary at the peak with mist obscuring my view to only a few feet (see photos).   I had seen no other hikers when I started my descent.   It was mild at first and grew much steeper as I approached the shelter located on the north side of the mountain. So far it was not too bad and I felt more confident I would make it all the way down. I stopped at the shelter and found two section hikers sitting out the rain. I had an early lunch and visited with the other hikers. I told them I planned to push on down the mountain and they decided they would also. So off we went. The rain had stopped by now but the rocks were very slippery and the waterfall beside the trail was spewing water onto the trail which ran adjacent to it. The path became steeper and steeper until sections had wooden steps fastened into the rocks. It was very slow going, but after an hour and a half I made it down the steep 1.5 mile section. Wow, I completed my first White Mountain and it was a workout for sure! I had may more to climb yet. I pushed on further down to the road crossing and started my hike to the base of my next big White Mountain, Kinsman, which I will climb tomorrow. I hiked over Wolf Mt on my way and although the elevation was not significant the trail was very hard. There were lots of hand and foot climbs up and down large rock sections. I finally made it to my destination, Eliza Brook Campsite, around 6 pm. I set camp, cleaned up and ate. I was beat! The mileage I put in today was not a lot compared to past days on the trail but it was a lot for the White Mountains. I was now set to climb Kinsman tomorrow and make my way down to Franconia Notch where I will resupply in North Woodstock and clean up. I think today I have obtained a new level of filth (legs full of mud and shoes wet through and through), but such is life on the trail.