Date: 2018-10-08
From: Imp Shelter 

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

I started out of Imp Shelter at 8:30 this morning. It was later than I would like. I didn¢t get a half mile up the trail before I fell.  Cooper and his dad were behind me. We were talking and I was walking on a boardwalk over a little bog. The boards were slimy, and just like that, down went McGinney! I really thought I was fine but by lunchtime I knew better. After making sure I was ok the two of them moved on. I continued my trek up Carter Mountain at 4530ft elevation.  It was dreary, wet and overcast. But at exactly 10:08am the sun came out! I could see other mountain tops peeking through the clouds, and the warmth felt good! I have noticed the pine trees are becoming more fragrant. I just love the smell. I also saw a Spruce Grouse on my way up. It¢s been a while since I¢ve seen one of them.  I reached the summit of North Carter Mountain. It was above the clouds so I dropped pack and rested a minute. I could feel the sun and it was nearly dry up there.  From the summit I began ridge hiking on to Middle Carter. The peak came fast. I was ridge hiking above tree line most of the way. Oh how I love ridge hiking! There was no bouldering, just a few rocks and roots. Other than the new twinge in my left knee it was really an enjoyable hike.  I had only 2 miles to South Carter summit. I decided to go there before stopping for lunch. By the time I summited South Carter, it was getting more and more difficult to bend my left knee. I dropped pack on a ledge and took a real break for lunch. South Carter offered me a nice little space for one with a view. While I was sitting there a couple more hikers showed up looking for a lunch spot. They ended up on trail without a view. I felt bad, but I was there first. I watched a mouse dart in and out of little holes in the ground. These mountain mice are brazen! Quite the scavengers!  As I stood up to leave for Mount Hight, I knew my knee was messed up. I had no idea how I would go 9.3 more miles to Pinkham Notch like this. I still had two good climbs left! In misery I began making my way to Mount Hight. It was about a mile away at 4653ft elevation. By the time I summited I was sure I would NOT get to Pinkham Notch today. I texted Papa Big Swig that I would be staying another night on the trail. I had two more miles until Carter Notch Hut. A Hut would be nice if I can get there. I really had no choice as the Whites don¢t offer much for stealth sites. I just had to get over Carter Dome at 4832ft, then make my way down to the Notch. Going down was far more difficult than going up. Every step was taken cautiously and painfully. There was more bouldering going down. As I got lower I entered the clouds, so it became wet and cold again. I prayed there would be space for me at the Hut. I arrived at dusk.  Kate the caretaker greeted me. She offered me a bunk in my own bunk room. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This Hut consists of 4 buildings. The main building has a full functioning kitchen and dining room. Kate also has a room in there. It offers potable water and cookware, but you cook your own food. There are two bunk room buildings. Each building has 4 rooms and each room has 6 bunks...with real pillows!!! The last building is the bathroom. Men and women have their respective space. The bathroom even has a solar light if you need to ¢go¢ in the night. I did, but since I used my headlamp to get there, I just kept it on.  I was short on food because my plan was for one overnight only. I had saved half of my tuna at lunch for dinner tonight. After I settled into my bunk room and changed into night clothes I took my food and trash back to the main building. My plan was to eat tuna there and lock the rest up in mouse proof bins in the kitchen. I had one tortilla and peanut butter left for breakfast and a mini milky way candy bar to get me to Pinkham Notch tomorrow. This is where the magic happens! There was a group of 7 cooking dinner. They had packed up (maybe via the gondola) fresh meat and veggies. I was invited to eat dinner with them. What a treat! Everything was homemade from scratch.On the menu: Lentil Soup with sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and curry Homemade German meatballsFresh guacamole Veggie slaw made of cabbage, broccoli, and cilantro with fresh lemon and olive oil dressing. Wow! We don¢t get that on the trail!  I went to bed fat and happy! And because there were 5 bunks in my room with no humans, I took extra pillows and propped up my knee all night long. The trail provides Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?