Date: 2005-08-25
From: North Woodstock, New Hampshire (Zero Day)

To: Garfild Ridge campsite
Miles today: 10.3

Another fabulous - but hard - day on the trail!After my first, totally exhausting, 15 mile day in the Whites, I figured I needed a new plan. So I've come up with one that limits each day's hike to about 10 miles. Today was an excellent example of the wisdom of my new plan. This was the longest 10 mile hike I've done since Springer - taking exactly 10 hours to complete! The condition of the trails through this entire area just makes it impossible to make an kind of decent speed. When you have to spend time trying to figure out the best route to take to get up and over a particular rock formation, sometimes trying one way and then deciding - no - that's not it, let's try aother option, you just aren't going to make very good time.So, obviously, if you have set your destination goal too ambitiously, younot only have to face the physical demands of a very tough trail, but the psychological frustration of always being "behind schedule" and never actually getting caught up. After today, I'm convinced that the only way to enjoy the Whites (and not develop a loathing for the entire state of New Hampshire) is to go slow and set modest daily targets.While today's 10 miles were really tough ones, the views made it all worthwhile. The 3 mile, 3700 foot climb up to Libery Mountain was not too bad - steep and rocky, but not too much of a rock scramble. This was followed by two miles of ridge walking and then a climb up to Little Haystack where the real fun began. Before reaching the summit, we were above treeline, and there were some neat cairnes. Luck was with us today, for the first time in the Whites, as the sun was actually shining when we reached the summit, and the views were just incredible.I summited with Thrifty, Navigator and Hareball and we did the usual photo shoots. First taking pictures of the mountain top scenery and then, after swapping cameras, of each other.After that, we had two miles of the most awesome above the treeline, ridgeline hiking I've ever done, up and over one summit after another - Lincoln and LaFayette being the most prominent. Then it was down to the treeline again and across another ridge to our last climb of the day - Mt. Garfield. That proved to be one of the toughest climbs of the day. Hiking I like. Rock climbing, with a 38 pound pack and bad knees, is just NOT my idea of a good time!But, as usual, I eventually made it to my destination. I'm sharing a tent platform at the Garfield Ridge Campsite with Hairball, and we've both had dinner and jumped into our tents. There is a strong wind blowing up here on the ridge, and the temperature is dropping rapidly. I am soooo glad I've got my winter gear with me. Now it's time to get into my sleping bag and get warm!The only downside to today's hike is that I managed to break off the tip of one of my hiking poles. It took me a while to figure out that I had a problem, but it suddenly dawned on me that there must be some reason my left pole was not giving me the same "grip" as my right one, and it was rather disconcerting - to say the least - to be leaning on both poles as I try to take a step down from a high rock, only to have one of the poles skitter away on me. Whoaaaa, Nellie. (It may actually have caused me to say a bad word once or twice. Or three times.) Fortunately, I've got my cell phone with me again, so - with a little luck - I'll find a place tomorrow where I can get a few bars and call "She-who-knows-me-best..." for help with a replacement.For today, however, I will dedicate my hike to the maker of Leki hiking poles. The have been excellent crutches for nearly 1,400 miles, and have really held up well, saving me from countless falls and saving my knees an incredble amount of stress and strain. Thanks, Leki!Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com