Date: 2009-07-02
From: Galehead Hut (AMC)

To: Crawford Notch (then into Concord, NH)
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

Thu Jul 2, Day 114. WHEW! The Granite State has thrown a big smack down on me. The hills around here are steep and unforgiving. The high mileage came to a sudden stop upon crossing the border that's for sure. If you've been following the daily journal pages you know I've experienced some incredible trail magic as well as some of the worst weather of the hike. The rain continues soaking every fiber of my being. My boots have not been dry in weeks and that goes for my socks too. I end up stopping and wringing them out a couple of times a day. Battling trench foot, giant squids, and a visit from Capt. Nemo's submarine on the trail is not fun!It's been said it takes five million steps to hike the AT but no one ever tells you how many falls that includes. I take my share each and every day. That's what happened to my right hand. During a fall I cut it and it got infected. It's still puffy, red, and sore. I can't keep a bandaid on it due to the wet conditions so I try to cleanse it and put neosporin on it twice a day. My legs have their share of tiny cuts from the falls as well. It's not just me, almost every thru I've talked to has complained about falling on slick rocks.The toughest part of the New Hampshire trail was the section over Kinsman Tue 6/30). It was brutal. Mt. Lafayette (Wed 7/1) wasn't much better. Rain, fog, and 30 mph winds at the summit pelted me with stinging rain causing me to hike inclined. I still got blown over backwards a couple of times. Now about today's hike: The weather was absolutely horrible out. Rain, fog, same old mess. Everything is wet. I'm miserable. Navigating the trail is no fun today. I've taken my share of falls. One time I fell into a creek that was hip deep! Yuck. My cuts are getting worse since they are constantly wet. No bandaid will stick for long.I stop in the AMC-Zealand Falls Hut for some soup and hot cocoa. It helps. Hightop and his son Robbie come in, they are miserable too. Hot Wheels finally shows up. Hightop said ¢Listen, why don¢t you just come into Concord? We¢ll take a Zero Day and try to get dried out. I¢ll shuttle you back to Crawford Notch where you can finish out your hike.¢ Since the weather doesn't look promising, Hot Wheels and I looked at each other and it didn¢t take two seconds for us to say "That would be a grand idea!", especially before tackling Mt. Washington. Hightop has a van parked at Crawford Notch only 7 miles away.The rain continues and gets worse. I fall two more times even though the trail in some spots is nice and wide and rock free. At Crawford Notch, Hightop and his son have the van waiting. I get into some dry clothes and still shiver since I'm so cold. Finally warmed up on the drive to Concord which took about 1.5 hours. I am so thankful for Hightop's hospitality. Hn addition to being a thru-hiker, he is a true Trail Angel. We arrive in Concord and meet his wife Sue Ann. After a hot shower, laundry, and a wonderful dinner I feel like a new man. Sleeping in a bed under a dry roof was exactly what was needed. L to R: Hightop, Sue Ann, Spokes, Hot WheelsClick on picture to see full size L to R: L to R: Hightop, Sue Ann, Spokes, RobbieThank you High Top, Sue Ann, and Robbie for all your hospitality, that was great.I continue to be in good spirits despite the trail conditions. I only hope the sun shines so I can see some views!Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement in the Guestbook. I admit I read them over and over again. They lift my spirits when things get tough. For that I'm grateful.