Date: 2006-08-27
From: NH 25 A Road

To: Smarts Mtn Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed and ready to go for real today as I really need to get to Hanover to visit my friend Paul and to make miles south! Bag of Tricks is taking me back to the trail, but not before we have to listen to a certain annoying nobo who I will not name (only his initials - MS) preach to us. I feel so sorry for this person who has no social skills and instead of trying to make friends, only incites hostility and frustration in everyone he encounters either in person or via the web. I am so glad to be leaving his presence and heading the opposite direction. May we never cross paths again.Not too long on the trail, it begins to rain. Its a warm rain, and I've come to expect it upon leaving town. I meet some nobos and let them know that if they want to slackpack, Bag of Tricks is at the road and has packs for them to use. Upon reaching the summit of Mt. Cube, not a tall mountain at 2911' and definitey not above tree line, but it was exposed and rocky with the slickest looking rocks I think I've ever seen. Well, the temperature droppped drastically and the wind at the top was blowing fierce. I was freezing and looking for a place to pull over and get out my rain gear, but I meet an older gentleman that is working on his next to last section of his section hike and he wants to talk. He's a sweet guy and I would enjoy talking to him, but all I can think about is that if I don't get some warm clothes on and get out of the elements, this gentleman is going to be carrying my hypothermic body off the mountain!I press on and get my rain gear on and meet his hiking partners down the trail. One of the fellows asks if I am a thru-hiker and if I have a journal online. When I reply yes, he is delighted as he enjoys reading about other's hikes. I meet a few other day hikers before making it to Hexacuba Shelter to dry off a bit and try and warm up with some instant potatoes. This is a neat shelter as it is six sided and very large. Seems like the only way to really warm up is to keep hiking. So its off to the Firewarden's Cabin at the top of Smarts Mtn. It seems like it takes forever to get there and the trail is overgrown and soaking wet. I keep looking for the fire tower, but all I can see is clouds as in I am hiking in the cloud. I open the door to the cabin and it is full of people. They are kind enough to make room for one more person as is typical hiker etiquette in bad weather. But this is especially nice as I am the only sobo here (eleven nobos). I mention that this is the most people I have stayed with in a shelter and they laugh and welcome me to the nobo world of full shelters. They are friendly (I have rarely met a group of hikers that weren't) and eager to learn about the hostel in Glencliff and the huts in the Whites. I am happy to share my knowledge, pay it forward as they say, as I have definitely quizzed many a nobo about what to expect ahead.It takes a while to set up camp and get warm and dry in this small and crowded space in the dark. So thankful that I have leftover pizza for dinner so I don't have to cook. The wind howls as we all drift off to sleep, but sometime during the night the weather settles down and the temperature rises and it actually gets pretty warm.