Date: 2015-08-01
From: Madison Spring Hut, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2

Up at 4:00am along with Moosehead and Burnsides. Working by headlamp, we packed our gear as quickly and quietly!as we could sine the hard-working hut crew was sleeping in the next room over. With tired eyes, tight legs, and an almost worthless excuse for a headlamp, I hit the rocky trail just behind the other 2 at 4:45am. Waiting between us was a ~1,500ft climb to the top of Carter Dome which we'd complete in just under an hour. Hiking as fast as the boulder-covered terrain and still dark sky would allow us, we'd bust it to the top under a chorus of heavy breathing.We reached the top of Carter Dome at 5:30am, minutes before sunrise, and saw a few local hikers with cameras hoping to photograph the sunrise. We checked out the view that was offered and decided to push on to find a more easterly facing clearing. We decided to push to the top of nearby Mt. Hight instead. However, as we pushed, the sun began to crest the horizon in a flood of brilliant, rich reds, oranges, and yellows. We quickly found a spot along the trail, pushed through a patch of thick trees lining the trail, and enjoyed the show from our spots among the trees. Burnsides even climbed a small pine tree to get a better view for himself. After the sun went behind a cloud, illuminating the edges of the cloud in the process, we decided to continue to Mt. Hight.We reached its summit within 10 minutes later where we were able to enjoy a 360-degree view ontop of the exposed rocky summit. The sun at this point was transitioning from its red/orange state to its yellow one as it continued its slow creep upward. To our backs rose the sun-drenched eastern slopes of the Presidential Range. Entire range, save the summit of Mt. Washington was clear and promised a beautiful day for the hikers passing along its ridge. Later in the day Mt. Washington would finally take off his top hat for the first time in days and offer a rare, cloudless peak providing awesome views for people ontop as well as below. For now, though, we were treated to lenticular clouds thrustes upwards from its high reaches. The tops of mountains lit up in every direction, casting shadows over the surrounding terrain in the process. A blanket of fog could be seen snaking along to our east over a distant river. Most of the land to our east, details now coming into view as light returned to the otherwise blue hue everything takes in the hour just before and after dawn or dusk, was of Maine. Knowing I could finally see what I consider the homestretch, even with ~280 miles to trudge once I reach the border in the next 2 days, was an awesome feeling.After relaxing for so long along the cold summit we'd have to continue again with sore, tight legs as we headed on. We'd next reach Middle Carter Mountain where Burnsides would cross off another of New Hampshire's 48 4,000-footers. He'd later cross off another at the summit of Mt. Moriah and reach the point where he only has 4 remaining to complete what has been a goal of his for some time. It was a pleasure being with him as he summited a few of these peaks over the past couple days, me snapping pictures of him as he smiled atop each new peak. Continuing over North Carter, we'd then descent ~1,200ft into Imp Shelter & Campsite where we breaked for lunch. After a brief visit to the privy (my 8th deuce in the last 24 hours due to the spoilage we received from the hut crews,) we would then push ~1.5 miles and ~900ft up the steep slabs of rock along Mt. Moriah. With legs straining under each step over the 45-degree angled slabs of rock baking under the heat of the sun, we finally reached the summit after taking a side trail requiring hand-over-hand climbing. We breaked again for ~20 minutes, now enjoying the warmth of the sun that minutes before was helping to drench us in sweat. Admirng the Presidential Range clear of any clouds, we took a few pictures before returning to the trail.The remainder of the afternoon would be spent descending ~3,300ft over the final ~6 miles to US 2 where Moosehead and Burnsides planned to meet their parents again. The going would be slow and tough as the first couple miles would be steep, feet and knees feeling the impact of each step. The terrain began to level out just before reaching Rattle River Shelter where we'd meet Moosehead's father who was waiting on us to arrive. He'd lead us down the final ~2 gently sloped miles that couldn't have passed fast enough. We reached a parking lot along the trail head at US 2 where we exchanged greetings and hugs with all the parents eager to see their sons. We chatted for a while before both families set off in opposite directions, Moosehead and Burnsides in tow, to spend some quality time together. A former thru-hiker named Sherpa, along with his wife, dropped in just as the families were leaving, planning to provide some trail magic. I informed them that few, I'd any, NoBo's would be coming through. They said that meant more hotdogs and beer for me of so.Over the next hour and a half, I sat on the ground with a SoBo as we enjoyed several rounds of hotdogs, chips and salsa, and cold beer. The couple, originally from Maine, were very kind and full of stories, even offering random say hikers a hotdog or beer as they passed by. Sherpa shared with me that being on the trail and walking through these mountains really humbled him, bringing him closer to God in the process. I has to agree. Being able to climb these high peaks over the past several days, offering all these amazing views, was like looking down from God's window. I would even meet a kind lady who was passing by for a ~2 mile hike up the trail to meet her brother. After shw commented that her brother was putting in a 21-mile day, I asked who her brother was. She replied that it was Wilson - who I haven't seen since just after entering New Hampshire. I told her who I was and that I'd spent several days with Wilson to which she replied she had been following my journal for some time. It was a pleasure to meet another follower.A little before 6:00pm I was offered a ride to the nearby White Mountains Lodge & Hostel by a young, cute park ranger who had stopped at the trail looking for blackberries. Our conversation was short for the ride only lasted a quarter mile, but I thanked her as I would've someone after a 5-mile ride. I entered the lodge to find that it was booked solid. No worries - I had other options. I was still able to pick up a care package from my good friend, Brendon, a former cocounselor from my summers spent at Tyler Hill Camp in Pennsylvania. Thank you very much, Brendon, for the kind letter and all the yummy goodies. I went outside to US 2 where, after no more than 5 minutes, scored a ride into Gorham, NH from former thru-hiker Golden Thumb (named for his luck with hitch hiking.) After a nice, yet brief conversation, he dropped me off at The Barn & Libby House B&B. The barn is, like you'd expect, an old renovated barn attached to an old B&B where hikers can crash, do laundry, shower, watch TV, etc. in the relaxing atmosphere of an old barn.The Barn is in its first year under new ownership by Paul, and he seems genuinely interested in not only hikers, but returning the hostel to its former state. He told me a story where one day a man who was hiking dropped in for a stay and asked if there was a McDonald's nearby. Paul replied yes and that he would drive him there. When they got there, the man said he was actually the CEO of McDonald's and, after proving it, purchased enough meals to feed all the hikers at the hostel that night. Paul used this as an example of why he tries to treat hikers equally and the way he'd want to be treated in our shoes because you never know who you might be talking with. I told him I was just your average Midwesterner, but that I appreciated his kindness all the same. After a nice shower, a quick walk down the street to Subway, and an hour of watching TV, I retired to the upper loft which is packed with several beds and mattresses for hikers. The barn wasn't full tonight so I had my pick of a comfy bed. With the sounds of the fans spinning above and the occasional vehicle passing by outside, I drift to sleep with the thoughts of the past several days through the White's keeping me company.Here's to sunrises over the White's, less than 20 miles til Maine, and just the boost I needed from my friend, Brendon.