Date: 2019-07-28
From: Smarts Tenting

To: Ore Hill Campsite
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

12.5 miles2715 ft up4154 ft downGot up and wanted to make it up and over Mt Cube before some thunderstorms rolled in around 3 pm, so to save time I skipped a hot breakfast and just ate a protein bar. This was a big mistake... my energy level was down the entire day. And I should really know this by now...I think this also made me pretty grumpy. I did not want any part in any conversation around me. I used to ask people¢s trail names, but often I would only forget. So many people you meet once and then they¢re gone... and so much effort to get a conversation going initially. Not having it today... I was grumpy Mr Solitude.The day started with a nice gradually downhill down Smarts Mountain. That same trail that decided it was going to be hardcore uphill on the south side decided to be oh-so-gentle on the north side. But oh well, you just take it as it comes.The first water was an awesome roaring stream at Jacobs Brook. Sat down and enjoyed it for a while - it was the first water source in a while.Passed Hexacuba Shelter. Apparently the architecture is in the shape of a hexagon, and the privy in the shape of a pentagon. But I had to press on to avoid the weather..Mt Cube was surprisingly green, and as usual the greenery trapped in a fantastic dense humidity that I was eager to escape. Farther on the mountain became rockier, then turned into rock ledges like something out of New York or Pennsylvania. At the very top it was mostly these exposed ledges, the sun beating down, and a slight breeze. And some giant thunderheads in the distance... gah!Checked the weather and the nearest city changed again... this time to Lyme, which had no thunderstorms in the forecast. But just to be safe I started descending the mountain...Started feeling pretty lethargic even while descending. I managed to drink through almost all my water, so I pushed on to the next water source, which of course seemed to take forever...Passed a family, and the dad asked if I was ¢in it for the long haul¢, and I told him I had been hiking since West Virginia for about three months or so. His jaw dropped and he told his family proudly. Ok, I don¢t mind these types of interactions! This boosts my spirits.At the water source I figured I was safe from any possible storms, so I broke out some snacks and had a decent late lunch. I also realized I probably didn¢t have enough food... or just barely enough. Probably need to make a resupply stop...While at that first water, lots of folks came through - a group of three, one, and another two that came by later. I just wanted a peaceful place to eat and relax! One girl from the group of three tripped over by foot while I was just sitting there. Leave me alone dammit!Pushed on another four miles to the campsite and saw a group there. Found a campsite and started to hang my bear bag, and meanwhile everyone seemed to retire to their tents. Weird.Again I seem to be the only one hanging my bear bag these days. I didn¢t see anyone else¢s bag hanging, but maybe they were out of sight? Strange. People are either getting lazier or more secretive.Fell asleep to some tiny bits of rain and some thunder in the distance, rumbling and roaring over the White Mountains.