Date: 2006-07-28
From: Eliza Brook Shelter, NH

To: Liberty Springs Tent Site, NH
Miles today: 11.4

Cell good.I started hiking about 6:30 am with a tough uphill climb up Kinsman Mtn. The trail went up some steep rocks, and at times I had to rock climb sections. The guidebook states this climb is beautiful and fun when the sun is shining, and pure hell if it is raining. I didn't get the beautiful because it was cloudy all the way up and down the other side. Because the rocks were dry, I was able to get good footings, and the climb went well.I visited my first staffed hut in the White Mountains. I stopped and had soup, lemonade, and two cookies for lunch - that really hit the spot. As I was eating lunch, it began to sprinkle; when I went out to leave, the ground was wet. I decided to move on, as I had another six miles planned today. The rain started slow and easy, it was barely a sprinkle. As I hiked, it picked up. It finally started pouring just as I reached the interstate bridge I had to walk under. I found a place to sit there, and waited out the downpour - that took about fortyfive minutes. I thought I dodged the big one and would be all right, but I was wrong. About twenty minutes later a second storm started, and I was already hiking. This time I got soaked, and had no other option but to keep going.The highway bridge I took refuge under was in Francona, Notch. Like the gaps in the south, the notches are followed by an uphill climb 1450 feet to 3800 feet above sea level. I'm just inside the tree line, and will go above it first thing tomorrow morning.When I arrived at this campsite, I was wet and cold. I called out at the caretakers tent, but did not get a response. I then chose a platform and set my tent up. The rain had slowed some so I was able to get it up without getting the inside soaked.I then got my gear inside the tent and arranged myself in it. I changed into dry clothes and set my sleeping bag up to get into it. I'm now dry and warm inside my sleeping bag, I'll be fine tonight.Everyone is telling me how beautiful this area is. I hope the weather improves and I get to see it first hand. It would be a shame to hike the whole range without experiencing the beauty of it. Here I am complaining and I haven't been here that long. I'll shut up and hope for the best.Old Goat Sue's Note: I was at my sister's Army War College Graduation in Carlisle, PA, today. It was a very nice ceremony, and we had a nice lunch on the Post after the ceremony. They lucked out with the weather - if the weather was bad, the ceremony would have to be indoors and visitors would have to watch it on closed circuit TV. Instead, it was sunny and hot (too hot!) until just about noon....then a storm blew through. The graduation ceremony ended around 10am though, so no worries! When I was following my sister and her husband to their house in Virginia, on Route 81, I had a flat tire. Old Goat has shown me how to change a tire before, but I remember things better when I have to do them myself! My brother-in-law helped a lot, but I now know I can do it myself if I ever have to again. I was so glad Old Goat had cell phone reception where he stayed this night because he called me as we were nearing my sister's house. While we were talking, I drove out of cell phone range. I called him back from my sister's house, knowing he would keep his phone turned on until he heard back from me. It was odd to have ME be the one without cell phone reception! I'm glad it worked out the way it did.