Date: 2008-06-11
From: Galehead Hut (3820')

To: Mizpah Spring Hut (3800')
Miles today: 21.1

I got some oatmeal at the hut before I headed out. There was a thick fog/cloud covering the trail but I could tell it was clearing. There was no view on top of South Twin due to the clouds but by the time I reached the Guyot campsite turnoff it had cleared and I had great views of the ridge I had walked yesterday. I was reminded a lot of the trips I had been on in this area, especially hiking up South Twin. I remember having to carry a couple kids sleeping bags on the climb up and I was the only staff because the other staff went down an easier trail with a kid who was having a tough time. I was in the back sweating hard trying to keep the campers in good spirits during the bitch of a climb. The rest of the hike down to Zealand Falls Hut was really nice and it was perfectly clear out but very windy. I head Gray Jay in a tree by the trail and he had absolutely no fear of me. I was able to watch him for a while. I also saw a spruce grouse (I saw one yesterday as well) and again it didn't seem very afraid especially when compared to the other grouse I have come across. I was feeling real tired all the way down to Crawford Notch but after a big lunch I was able to bound up the Webster Cliff trail. It was real windy again once I got up there and I was on the lookout for thunderstorms. I got a good look at Mt. Washington and an awesome view of the Southern Presidential Range from Mt. Jackson. The view from Mt. Jackson has always been one of my favorites because I could look back at all the mountains I had just crossed (I've always gone North to South until now). This time the view showed me all the mountains to come and they were quite impressive. I had been picturing that view in my mind for a long time now and to actually see it felt very rewarding. I'm staying at another Hut tonight. I got in kind of early but not early enough to push on to Lakes of the Clouds plus I'm pretty beat. There are probably 50 people here and it's quite a scene. I don't understand the idea behind paying $90 for one night at a hut and then hiking to the next one to pay another $90. There are obviously plenty of people willing to do it and if it brings a lot of money to the trail I suppose thats worth it. The trail has been really beautiful and well maintained so hopefully thats where the money is going. It was really flooded today but thats expected with the torrential downpour that occurred last night. I think it would be fun to work in a hut. You get to hand out in the mountains for a summer, eat good food, and stay in the hut away from nasty weather. I think it would be fun but then I see the goofy tacky shit they have to do to cater to the people paying $90 a night to stay. I think I might go crazy and start telling people off. I've noticed that at the huts they don't like you interacting with the normals. You eat after dinner is served (which is when the hut crew eats) you sleep in the dining area (I would assume there is an open bunk somewhere), and for the most part your off to the side or outside until the normals settle into bed or out of the dining area. That might be over exaggerating or just me sitting by myself by choice. The crew gave me a great dinner of soup, mashed potatoes, ham, bread, and pumpkin bread. It was all great but the pumpkin bread was in a league of its own. I scrubbed the fridges downstairs which was pretty easy considering I got an all I could eat meal and a place to sleep. I talked to a middle school class about my trip a bit at the request of their teacher. I think I did all right, its hard to gauge if kids are entertained or interested in what you're saying. I talked to Stevo and the plan is to meet in Gorham two days from now unless tomorrow as I approach Pinkham Notch I need to get off the trail. I'm thinking the bugs could possibly make me turn in and also my lymph nodes are incredibly swollen and sore behind my ears. I could be coming down with something and that could be what's making me feel tired at some points in the day.