Date: 2013-08-23
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8

Day One Hundred and Sixty Eight - (8.8) Eliza Brook Shelter to Franconia NotchI felt like sleeping in this morning but there was a big climb waiting for me. We all packed up pretty quickly and started hiking along a stream that soon became cascades. Melkie went in for a swim. It took a long time to hike to get up South Kinsman but it was a really nice hike. We were surrounded by pines and everything was covered in moss. The trail wasn't very trail-like, it was ALL rocks or roots and was more of a rock climb than a hike but that's what made it fun! Near the top we came across an older lady who I feel really shouldn't be up on a mountain. She couldn't figure out how to climb over the next rock and seemed to struggle with her pack. At the top we stopped for a long break to enjoy the amazing view and she didn't catch up so Two Socks went back and took her pack and helped her up the hill. The situation made me angry because it is people like that who end up needing rescued off the mountain. She shouldn't have been hiking alone in the first place and I would even question whether she should even be on a mountain this difficult. As we hiked to the North Kinsman Peek we asked the southbounders we saw to watch out for her and later when we got to the next shelter told the caretaker there about her. He set out to look for her. It took us so long to get down off of the mountain! Going down was even more difficult than going up! We were constantly having to hang on to trees and rocks as we climbed down but we were headed towards the first hit in the Whites and I was excited. The huts in the Whites are owned by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and run like Eco resorts. From a hikers perspective they are too pricey to even consider at $125 per night for a bunk but for someone wanting a get a way up in the mountains they would be perfect. The crews who work at the huts will allow a few select thru hikers to work for stay allowing them to sleep on the floor of the dining room and eat the leftover food. Because I am hiking with Melkie and three other people work for stay won't even be an option but I will be able to buy hot food at the huts and that is enough to get me excited! When we arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut I was impressed! It was situated over a lake with a perfect view of the mountains we will climb tomorrow. There was a dock below where several families were enjoying the lake and it really did feel like a resort out in the wilderness. Everyone who was there had to hike in to get there and all of the food had to be carried in on the Crews backs. Right away I bought a never ending bowl of soup for two dollars and it was so good! It felt great just to sit an relax and take in the view. We still had more hiking to do so it was a bittersweet break. We put the packs back on and hiked away from paradise stopping to snap a few pictures as we left. The trail got smoother as we headed down the hill and started to resemble a footpath again. When we reached Franconia Notch it was a little confusing where to get off the trail to try to get into town. We ended up having to walk an extra mile off the trail to a visitor centre and after calling around finally found a hotel owner who was willing to come pick us up. It just started to rain as he pulled up, I am so glad I am not up on the mountain right now! It was pretty late by the time we arrived at the hotel but we hadn't eaten yet so we walked half a mile up the road to a restaurant for real food. It was dark as we walked back to the hotel. Two Socks headed straight for the hot tub the rest us us had showers. It's very, very late now, good night world!Trouble