Date: 2015-09-06
From: The Perch Shelter 

To: Osgood Tent Site
Miles today: 4.6

Whoa! I never expected Mt. Madison to be such a difficult climbalance for me. I thought I was home free after Mt. Washington. What a rude but gorgeous awakening for me. I woke up from a sleepless night because I was cold all night without a tent or shelter and my foot had a painful burning sensation all night from my new blisters. It lpoked much worse this morning. I put three coats of nu skin on this morning before I started out. The climb from The Perch back onto the AT was nuts but the sunrise appearing over the mountain as I hiked was spectacular and it was another clear sunny and gorgeous day. I really am thankful for the sun and warmth while in the Presidentials. The trail was crowded again today and I was able to meet several other thru-hikers in the midst of all the day hikers that marched past me. The other thru-hikers blew by me as well.   It was very rocky but enjoyable on the way to Madison Hut. I had an opportunity to meet Dancer on the way. She had long legs and looked much more graceful than me on the rocks even though she said she was not a dancer. There are a lot of side trails in The Whites and very few blazes but many cairns to follow. They are quite close together and I am amazed at how helpful they are. A few times thought the whole mountain side looked to be full of cairns and I was confused as to which ones to follow. This area has been very good with having signs at the trail junctions which are quite frequent. This looks to be a hikers paradise with the many different trails to explore. I stopped at the Madison Hut which Was full and in a beautiful location lush with wildflowers many of which only grow in this area according to a flyer on the bathroom door. I had a bowl of curry and chickpea soup with quinoa which was absolutely delicious and my favorite if all the huts so far. The bread and chocolate cake was fresh out of the oven and filled me up.   I made sure to thank the cook and let her know she rocks. I spent some time socializing with other hikers and moving slowly because I knew I had a short hike to the tent site tonight. I even found the yellow flower on the flyer in the bathroom and photographed it even though I can't remember it's name.It was only half a mile to the summit of Mt. Madison from the hut and I was looking forward to climbing up instead of down because it is easier on my knees. What a joke. I still can't believe how long it took me and how difficult it was. It was half a mile of one gigantic rock pile, and I couldn't figure out where to step and slid all over the place. My poles kept getting stuck in between the rocks but I felt like I needed them for balance. Everyone else just hopped from rock to rock as I gingerly placed each foot in the safest spot I could find. Groups of children flew by me looking at me like I was something I had never seen before. Several hikers commented on my huge pack and how difficult that must be. I didn't even feel my pack. I juse can't get comfortable climbing on rocks no matter how hard I try or how many miles I climb them. I finally made it to the top and once again I have to marvel at the views and couldn't possibly be better weather. The peak was covered with what I was told were flying ants but even they couldn't break this spell I was under. They were swarming all over me but did not appear to bite. It was all downhill from here. Down and up all the endless peaks. I would get up one and there appeared another. I could almost hear them laughing at me. This seemed to go on forever until I finally got to treeline and the trail evened out some and suddenly wasn't rock piles anymore. My 20 mile day in Pennsylvania wasn't nearly as difficult than this 5 mile day. Of course the views are much more rewarding here. I finally arrived to Osgood completely exhausted and overwhelmed. My hiking partner had gotten worried about me again and met me on the trail. I was so relieved to have made it to my destination. I am very thankful for the hot meal he cooked me and for not having to fetch water. The campsite is full with families enjoying Labor Day weekend and again we are sharing a wooden platform but thankfully were able to set up our tents on it. I am going to sleep good tonight. Tomorrow should be an easy hike to Pinkham Notch.