Date: 2014-09-06
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

The morning weather briefing states thunderstorms and high winds possibly as early as 10AM. Don't want to be above tree-line in storms. We (Blazer, Sockless and I) ask the staff at Lakes of the Clouds Hut about options for staying. (We just spent the night as work for stay.) We tell them we would be happy to pay the $10 for a bunk in the basement known as the Dungeon or would do another work for stay night because we think it is not safe to try getting to the next Hut before the storms develop. Not to mention the trail passes a point named Thunderstorm Junction probably for a good reason. We don't want to be imposing on our hosts but are in a predicament. They tell us no to all of our suggestions and seemed happy for us to go because they know a lot of hikers will be showing up behind us. They said the dungeon is for emergencies. In our opinion, lightening on the exposed ridge tops is an emergency. As I go, I explain to the others that their concern is making space for the people on the way and having us go means they don't have to deal with our problem of shelter. [Later some of the other hikers described the staff at Lakes of the Clouds as thinking of themselves as the "cool kids" and us thru-hikers weren't in the cool category. It may be a fair characterization for the staff today, but the staff rotates and all of them may not present with the same culture., I remind Blazer and Sockless that just like before "it's going to work out," and we begin the ascent of 1,100 feet from Lakes of the Clouds to Mt. Washington. We will get there and reassess out options from the visitors center. We are energized by our theme song of the day--"Here Comes the Sun."Today, trekking poles are more for keeping us upright as the ferocious wind that seems to try to dash us into the rocks. I have been looking forward to this day since Springer Mountain and even before that. Mt. Washington is legendary for its extreme weather and its beauty. Today, I finally get to both climb it and to visit the place. I am so energized by the climax of the White Mountains. I am able to stay on Blazer's heels, leaving Sockless behind today. I suspect there may be more to it than my enthusiasm--that the Presidentials may have an energy their own. As we climb we go in and out of the blowing fog. We have some excellent views of mountains and valleys between the times of sunshine and the clouds.While at the visitors center, we recharge phones, eat, and take photos on the peak of Mt. Washington. We rest and take it a in but don't relax. We need to reach Madsion Springs Hut before the weather arrives. Once again I feel the energy and excitement as we hike through the gusting wind and blowing fog. I actually like the feel and look of this scene, because it is typical of so many of the pictures I see of the trail above the tree line. The way is marked by stone cairns, each barely visible in the fog. I reflect silently that trusted friends, mentors and spirituality have been a guide through tough times in life especially when the right direction to go was not clear, in much the same way as these stone cairns. We are successful in reaching Madison Springs Hut before the rain. Shortly after it begins but we watch in the dryness of the hut through the window as the rain is nearly vertical from force of the wind. We have three options: stay for work, go to a campsite 5 miles away on the trail or 1 mile away but away from the trail. We discuss our options and timing. If we wait, will the storm abate? How long can we wait and still have daylight to make it to camping place?The others sit at a table and talk and play games but I am worn out from the wind and I find a book and read a chapter. It was about the snow patrolman for Tuckerman's Ravine. Then lay my head on table and napped on and off. From time to time hikers came in drenching wet and cold to the bones. Some were day hikers with reservations and others were AT hikers who warmed with a bowl of soup, then headed on down the trail. We did not want to head out in these extreme conditions which had changed from lightening danger to hypothermia danger. Around 5:30PM I went to rejoin the group and face the inevitable. As I walked over to the table, the staff member second in charge was just the speaking with the group. They turned to me and asked if I would like to stay tonight as work for stay, I gladly said yes! Staying were Solitude, Chicklet, Sockless, Blazer, Hungry Horse and Dingo. I was so thankful for the grace extended to us, especially compared to the seemly callousness of the previous hut crew. After dinner, the work for stay thru-hikers got to fill their plates with the leftovers in the kitchen. Usually they send us to an empty table, but this crew allowed us to join them in the kitchen around the serving table. I was so thankful for the grace and compassion shown. This was not just a crew but a team of professionals. Sockless, Blazer and I formed a panel for the evening program for the guests about thru hiking and the Appalachian Trail. This would be part of our work for stay. We were all three a little anxious about this, but as soon as we got started, that all went away. We could have gone on much longer with the mostly question and answer session but lights out times was nearing. Some of the questions we answered were: what is trail magic, what do we eat, where do we sleep, how long does it take, what scary animal encounters have we had, etc.? I overheard guests telling each other how much they enjoyed the "program," as they exited the dining room for the bunks. We were the "naturalist program" done after dinner at the huts. I think every guest stayed for the presentation, compared to 6 at the last who stayed for a talk on Fungi.As I lay in the darkness on the dining room floor tonight, snug in my sleeping bag and listening to the wind and rain, I thought of some of lyrics of "Here Comes the Sun". "Here comes the sun, and I say it's all right...the smiles returning to the faces.It's all rightLittle darlingThe smiles returning to the facesLittle darlingIt seems like years since it's been hereHere comes the sunHere comes the sun, and I sayIt's all rightSun, sun, sun, here it comesSun, sun, sun, here it comesSun, sun, sun, here it comesSun, sun, sun, here it comesSun, sun, sun, here it comesLittle darlingI feel that ice is slowly meltingLittle darlingIt seems like years since it's been clearHere comes the sunHere comes the sun, and I sayIt's all rightHere comes the sunHere comes the sun."