Date: 2015-08-26
From: stealth spot near Lonesome Lake

To: stealth spot near Garfield Pond
Miles today: 11.0

I woke up very early today. My clothes were still wet, of course, and it was so cold! I did not want to get out of my tent. As I hiked out, the morning was misty and the trail was slick. It looked like it was going to be clear though, the rain had stopped sometime while I was sleeping.I walked across a creek in my socks so my shoes would not get wet. I had received a text late in the night saying that C.Shell had gone to the hospital and had been diagnosed with kidney stones. So instead of whining more about my wet soggy stuff and the cold weather and the slippery climb and descent of yesterday- I just want to formally acknowledge the spirit of C.Shell. She is a strong person- she has not been feeling well for at least two weeks, and now we know why. I hang my head when I think of my dramatic complaints against all manner of discomfort because C.Shell barely ever complains. And- she plans to get back on when that kidney stone passes. Hard core. Seriously hard core. I am so grateful that she was not up on a mountain when the pain became unbearable, and while I worry about her hiking- selfishly I am thrilled that they are going to finish this hike. I am not ashamed to say that I miss them and this journey has been more fun and amazing because they are part of it.Tedzilla and I decided to take the 0.3 side trail up Liberty Mountain. Actually, he decided and i grumbled and complained. I didn't want to do it. Once I got to the summit I was so glad I did. The views of the Whites were amazing, and from up there I could see Franconia Ridge! I did not realize I would be hitting that today and I was really excited. Franconia Ridge is one of the highlights of the trail, something that I have seen hundreds of pictures of. The climb up included Little Haystack Mountain, which sounds sweet but the climb was steep and rocky. Once we passed that point, the trees started falling away. The trail was rocky, it was a hard climb, but the ridge started becoming visible for the climb ahead, snaking up the mountain like an exposed spinal column, cairns showing the way. I felt as though I were on another planet, so altered was the terrain from what I have grown accustomed to. After Little Haystack we had to climb Lincoln and then Lafayette. I saw lots of hikers I knew and lots of section and day hikers. The sky was cloudy and a light fog kept my pictures and the views from being like the pictures I had seen of this incredible place, but the views were still stunning. I spent lots of time stopping, taking pictures, drinking it in. The trail continued on this exposed ridge for a couple of miles, and it was not an easy hike. In fact, nothing in the Whites has been easy. It has all been hard and every climb has a magnificent pay-off. I was tempted to hike to Greenleaf hut, visible from the ridge, but it was a mile off trail and there was no guarantee of a work for stay spot so I hiked on. The goal was to get to Garfield Ridge Campsite earlier today, but the terrain was so rocky and the hiking was slow. I adjusted my goal to make it to Garfield Pond, but then I adjusted it again to whatever the hell I could find.I tucked myself in a stealth spot about a mile or so South of the pond. I only hiked about 11 miles today but I am bushed! Never was I so happy to get into my tent.I plan to stop at Galehead Hut for coffee tomorrow, and whatever soup or pastries they have available.I won't be posting any pictures until I get wi-fi. 90% of my data plan hd been used and new month does not start until the 6th.