Date: 2012-08-15
From: Imp campsite MP 1875.1, NH

To: US 2, MP 1883.1, NH
Miles today: 8.0

Forgot to mention yesterday that the Imp Campsites have only 3 single and 2 double or group platforms. Now normally with expected bad weather, I would stay in a shelter, but with this hiker bug going through the hiking community, I'm trying to avoid contact. So after I set up on a single platform, the caretaker comes by to collect the $8 fee. He tells me that, "oh by the way, if we get full, you'll have to move your tent and share the platform." I think to myself, "fat chance pal!" I journal and retire sometime after 10 pm. Around midnight, I hear rain drops so I zip close my tent vestibule and fall back to sleep. It was only a light sprinkle and didn't rain the rest of night. I wake up at 5:30 am to a dry tent. I lay there thinking how lucky I am not to have to pack a wet tent.   I linger in bed till 6 am, then start packing and get my food from the bear box. Then the rain starts slowly, but steadily. I climb back into my tent hoping it will pass. It doesn't! I talk to Haunani and she tells me it's supposed to start clearing around 10 am.   I really want to get into town and I figure if I go, I'll have to move slow over the wet terrain. I have 8 miles to do today...1,000 foot climb and a 3,000 foot descent = 8 hours. If I stay till late morning, I will be hiking late. If I zero here at the campsite, I'll go nuts from boredom plus they want heavy thunderstorms tonight and tomorrow morning. The rain stops briefly so I pack my wet tent, put on my pack cover and rain coat and leave around 8:30 am. Rather than take the time to have breakfast, I eat a Cliff bar.The Imp campsites are located 1,900 yards off the AT. As I climb back to the trail, the rain increases in intensity and I'm soon soaked from sweat on the inside and rain on the outside. Ugh!The climb up the mountain goes slowly and is now either the normal rocky washed out trail or steep granite slabs with carins. I must say, this section of the trail is reasonably blazed.   I reach the top of Mt Moriah, El 3,991 around 11:30 am. Not surprising, the view of the adjacent mountains is shrouded in clouds and mist.   As I check my guide, a young twenty something NoBo hiker passes me and bounds on down the mountain as if he is walking on a dry paved road. He soon disappeared from sight and sound. Oh, to be young again!Descending is torture...step by painful step! I am going as slow as I can and with all the care I can muster.   With all that, I fall three times! It always happens in the blink of an eye! One moment you're on your feet and the next, you're on the ground! I've banged up my elbow, hyper extended my left knee and jarred my spine, but am not seriously hurt.   All of these falls took place on moderately steep trail with reasonable tread way. It's just the wet, slick, and muddy conditions. Finally, I reach the Rattle River crossing, MP 1,879.6 and the trail becomes hike able. I increase my hiking speed and with the exception of boulder hopping across several swollen large streams, I reach the Rattle River Shelter, MP 1,881.2. Six miles done and two more to go. Whoo hoo!At the shelter, I meet two ladies from Buffalo, NY. "Fern Lover," a teacher and "Hopper," a painter, are section hiking.   We hike together for awhile talking and I'm surprised to hear that Hopper's sister is an Assistant Principal at Emmaus High School! My two sons and I all graduated from Emmaus High School. Really is a small world!   The ladies are moving slow and soon I leave them behind as I'm eager to get to Gorham. With good trail, I make great time and arrive at US 2, MP 1,883.1 at 1:15 pm, well ahead of expectation. I've covered 8 miles in 5 hours. However, this is without stopping to eat lunch or a snack. Not a good practice, especially since I only had a Cliff bar for breakfast. Must be more diligent to keep my energy up. I walk 0.2 miles along US 2 to the White Mountain Hostel and Lodge where my mail drop box was delivered. This is a very nice hostel, but I've decided not to stay here due to the hiker bug that is going around. I call Haunani and then Bruce, the shuttle driver. I have about an hour to wait so I talk to some of the other hikers. One of the SoBo's describes the trek across the next section, the Mahoosuc Range, as more technical climbing then hiking. This is not good news to my ears. I am pretty beat up physically from my falls. My elbow has a little fluid in it and my knee is a little swollen.I'm back at the Northern Peaks Motel for a couple of nights. Taking a zero tomorrow and maybe the next day. Weather is supposed to be severe the next two days with good weather returning on Saturday. I must say, I'm evaluating whether to hike on or go home.   With a couple of days rest I'm sure I'll be fit enough to continue. However, my head is not in the game anymore and to continue would be drudgery and not fun. Maybe it's time to come home? Feeling very conflicted.