Date: 2018-08-15
From: Route 26

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 10.3

I slept okay in the bunk room. No one snored and I was under an open window so I had fresh air. Around 5 the man next to me left. The German hiker and the younger hiker were still sleeping when I got up just before 6. I packed up as quietly as I could and got my day pack ready taking it with me and leaving the rest of my stuff on my bed. The housekeeper Naomi said she'd move it into the private room River and I will be sharing for the next 3 nights. I made my oatmeal in the kitchen and washed it down with a cup of coffee. Just before 7 my shuttle driver Gloria said she was ready when I was and off we went. I was at the trail head at 7:25 and I used the toilet before crossing route 26 and heading north. It was a morning climb for sure with a 3 mile rocky ascent up to the West Baldpate peak. Giant, wet rock slabs were on the menu and they were super slick. I have my new Hoka mids on but it's day one with them and thus we're still in the "courting" phase. I haven't built a trusting relationship with them yet and I don't have "tread confidence". In other words I'm not sure how well I'll stick to these slanted slabs and so I'm more cautious today. I played leap frog with Moses, Dimples and the rest of their group, all of us not trusting the rocks. Dimples fell in front of me and turned to let me know of a really slick one. Honestly I'm super tired emotionally because of these damn rocks. It's a drain to be constantly on guard for your life! I reached the rocky top in the clouds and stopped to pick and enjoy some wild blueberries. While I was doing so the breeze blew away the clouds and I was then able to see Moses, Dimples and the others climbing up the Baldpate East peak and that was very cool. I watched them navigate the rock and headed in that direction. It was an easy and fun summit despite the rocks. But the descent was everything but. More giant wet rock slabs. Yippie. At least I was in good company because I wasn't the only one taking it very slowly. Moses and his group are nobo from GA and they were very slowly descending over these slippery slabs also. In one area a rope assist was helpful to have. River is out here today too but I haven't seen her and I'm sure she started after me. I reached the Frye Notch shelter and stopped for a lunch of summer sausage and potato sticks. Moses thought he heard thunder but I wasn't convinced and the sky didn't look dark so I headed up towards the peak where I was to call the hostel and confirm my pick up time. Halfway up the hill the thunderstorm was undeniable. I stashed my phone in a Ziploc in my bag and found a log to sit on. I folded myself so I was resting on my thighs with my head above my knees and my day bag below them. And I prayed for God to keep me safe as the rain pounded my back and the thunder clapped above my head. When the rain had almost stopped I resumed hiking, thanking God for keeping me safe. I would dry off at the hostel if o didn't walk myself dry before then. At the top of the hill I confirmed my pick up in 2.5 hrs. I completed the hike without incident but skipped a side trail to the falls. I was so tired! David the shuttle driver was waiting for me at the road and brought me back to the hostel. It was just before 4 and I took a shower and hung my clothes out on the line out back. It's convenient being able to walk to the store and restaurant so I wandered over and had a salad and chill. The service is incredibly slow but the food is good. I carried out an ice cream and finished it on the porch at the hostel while visiting with a couple of other hikers. River had arrived and was at the store getting her dinner. We signed up for the shuttle tomorrow for another 10 mile slack pack and retired to our room. I journaled for a while and River watched TV. It was just after 8:30 when I said goodnight to Brian. The shuttle leaves at 8am so I am thinking about going to the store for breakfast in the morning.