Date: 2014-08-23
From: Beaver Brook

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

In which this was the hardest day hiking physically I've ever had but equally unique and rewarding.Wow, all I can say is what a night! A group from Tuft's University came rolling in and they were very polite, pleasant and delightful to chat with. However, the rain began, continued and caused the shelter to become too full and close for my comfort. An 8 person shelter is designed just for that, 8 people, not the 14 we eventually crammed in like sardines. It was not a restful night at all! I had one person in particular breathing loudly with bad breathe in my face all night long. I got so annoyed I flip flopped by bag around so my head was by the opening of the shelter, although someone else's feet where in my face, but that too was a better alternative than the one I previously had! Lots of people were snoring and getting up and down all night long to relieve themselves. Made me wish I had set up my tent, but oh well. It's morning now! Time to get on with the day.On the bright side the sun rise this morning was beautiful. The rain had stopped, the clouds were still rolling through the mountains but the pink and orange colors on the horizon behind the bluish silouette of the mountains were absolutely amazing. I have to say that sight was breathtaking! Words just can't describe the awesome beauty.I inched my way down Mt. Mousilauke with the German couple Andy and Ivana. Everything was extremely slippery and wet. The descent was the most steep descent yet too, down wet, wooden rungs and iron rungs paralleling a spectacular waterfall. It too was truly beautiful to see and hear. It took about and hour and a half to get down the mountain which ended up not being as bad as I expected.There was another good climb after the road crossing up to Kinsman Ridge. There were many rock steps, the awesome aroma of pine, a lot more moose poop, a little bear scat and I saw a huge jack rabbit on the descent from Kinsman Mtn. Speaking of Kinsman Mountain, that by the way was the hardest climb I think I have ever done in my life. The first 0.8 mile paralleled another beautiful waterfall which was so soothing to walk by. The climb up the mountain was no hike and was a very unexpected surprise. This was a straight up hand over hand, pull yourself up over the boulders, hanging on tree limbs, bracing yourself on tree trunks, shimmying yourself up however you could manage. It took everything in to make it up. Thank heavens for a group coming down the mountain so I could sit and rest for a few. My knees got pretty banged up and I've got a few cuts on my shins, my feet are burning, I think I'm pretty sore and ever so happy to be in the shelter. Well, maybe not happy to be in the shelter as I really wanted to tent after my night from hell in the last shelter but all tent pads were occupied. However, I am at camp and very glad for that.To back up a bit the view from Kinsman Mountain was spectacular! It was incredible! It literally brought me to tears. Pictures likewise just don't do it justice. I got a glimpse of Franconia Ridge the site of the famous ridge walk I've been looking forward to. From here the ridge looks very intimidating, very imposing looking and raw. I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I can't wait! I sat on top of the mountain for a little while soaking it all in and meeting many new faces...Sonic, Blueberry, Rocksloth, Mystic Pony, Lost Boy, Messy and a few others.It's been a tiring but awesome day. I'm feeling proud of myself for hiking what I did today which was totally beyond the scope of my imagination and anything I have ever done before.The trick I learned today is to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, stay where my feet are and don't get overwhelmed by looking up ahead on the trail. I'll get there eventually one step at a time.I haven't seen Shoes yet but he's on his way. It's getting dark already and it's the weekend and loud. There are people running around everywhere. This is a big double decker shelter. I'm on the bottom in the corner trying to get some sleep which I also feel is going to be rather difficult....