Date: 2014-07-17
From: kinsman notch

To: franconia notch
Miles today: 16.3

Leaving a hotel room is a hard thing to do. Its got all the comforts one could want so sometimes, most times, its hard to leave. I got most of my stuff packed up and ready but procrastinated badly on calling for a ride. I finally called about 9:30 and the lady said she would be there in ten minutes. Oh dear, i better get the rest packed. This was the worst resupply i have done in a long time, waaaay too much food. I always get worries and end up with too much but this time is silly. I managed to get evrything in my bag but when i went to lift it i thought, 'this is not ideal'. The woman came and got me and brought me and my month of food back to the trail. I met three nobos sitting on the guardrail figuring out what they were gonna do. It was dr. Zoom, rosie and i forget the third guy, sorry third guy. We talked for a while and they finally decided to go into franklin to resupply. I headed onto the trail much later than i hoped, 10:45. My pack felt terrible going up the initial incline, what had i done? The first 4miles were uphill but not horribly steep. The worst part was how rough the trail is. Its a lot of big steps up and down, many over two ft high, not the best with a forty pound pack. I plugged along wishing i had room in my belly for food but i had stuffed myself before i left the motel, torture. Finally i made the summit of mt wolf with great views but right behind her was kinsman mt and a big ol climb. It was a 2000' steep climby ascent to the top over boulders and up rock faces. It was not easy at all and the pace on the trail has come to a creep. This is what all the fuss is about and the expectations of fifteen mile days, sounds about right. Its beautiful but rugged country. When i made it to the aummit of south kinsman the views were amazing! You could see for days, pretty lucky to get to see the world from up here. Its a whole different perspective and exactly the reason i love this stuff so much. Then over to north kinsman mt for some good looks at mt lafayette, tomorrows climb. Thats looking rough too, rocky and much of it is above treeline. I started down which is just about as slow as going up. Taking these big steps down is rough on the old knees, thank god for poles! On the way down i passed my first amc hut. These huts are places you can stay, like a hotel out in the woods. They feed you dinner and breakfast but are pricey. I plan to stay at one but not yet, i need to eat some of my own food first. As i passed the Lonesome lake hut i heard the comotion going on inside of many people eating dinner, i was glad i was not in there amongst the herd. I cruised on down the hill and finally got on to a good trail. I planned on stealth.camping so i grabbed some water from a clear stream just in case i didnt run into anymore. Turned out i would pass plenty more nice little streams not on my guide. Oh well, why chance it? I found a nice place down in franconia notch for my home for the night. I set up and cooked up some dinner. I helped myself to some sour life savers too, mmmmm. After dinner i was quickly in my tent and forced myself to stay awake to type my journal in case of no service for a while. Chores done, i have nothing to do but go to sleep which i will gladly do now. I cant wait for tomorrow and all the sights i will see, so excited.