Date: 2003-09-25
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

I stayed up too late last night watching "I Love the 70's" on VH1...addictive mindless TV that takes you back to your childhood (well, if you're my age, that is). Yet another reason why I don't have cable or watch TV at home. I then didn't sleep well when I did go upstairs to the bunkroom. And, apparently, I snored a lot during the night...great! Anyway...I got up at 7 and started packing up my stuff. I realized that I had never put my boots out to dry yesterday, so they were still soaking wet. Not the most pleasant thing to put on. Jeff and Grace got to the hostel at 7:45 and Big Bird and I loaded our packs into the car. We went to Dunkin' Donuts (a Dunkaccino...yay!), then on to Pinkham Notch. We said goodbye to Grace and Jeff...we should see them sometime tomorrow. Heading out onto the Trail, I was feeling good, ready to hike. But I also felt some trepidation...especially as we started up the steep ascent of Wildcat. I asked Big Bird how he was feeling, and he! said that he had some anxiety as well. I guess I knew that I would have dome feelings like that after the Mt. Madison experience. We didn't go above treeline at all today...this set of mountains is not as high as the Presidentials...but still, there's that niggling worry at the back of mind. The forecast looked good, but as we ascended further, some clouds rolled in. I hoped that we wouldn't get rained on again...not this soon. It took us 3 hours to get to the top of the first Wildcat peak. The climb wasn't as bad as I'd heard, but, then, it was dry. We stopped for a break where the gondolas were located, and took pictures of the evil Mt. Madison (perhaps to burn later??). We moved on, at what I thought was a faster pace, but the next 3 miles also went at a pace of 1 MPH. We arrived at the Carter Notch Hut feeling exhausted and a bit defeated. I realize that the mileage goes slower through here, but it's so frustrating! To top it off, clouds were swirling around! the summit of Carter Dome, where we intended to go next. Still feeling gun-shy, neither Big Bird nor I wanted to go there. I have to say, I want to be safe and wary, but not fearful, of the conditions. Right now, though, I definitely am feeling somewhat fearful. I know that will dissipate the more I hike on, but right now, I need to respect how I am feeling. In addition, my knees are still hurting from our steep descent the other day. We made the executive decision to stop for the day. We will do some work for stay here in the morning. Then, if I can't make the full 15 miles into Gorham tomorrow, I'll take a side trail out, so that I can meet up with Bandaged Heart, Grapenut and Grace. I'd like to think I can make it, but the reality of the past couple of weeks causes me to question my thinking. Big Bird and I ate some dinner and played a game of 500 rummy. Then we heard another hiker coming in...it was Joe Hiker, who I had met at the Fontana Hilton. I hadn't seen him since then. We chatted with him for a bit, then one by one, we! headed off to bed. I have my own bunk room here, as there are no guests staying tonight. Hopefully, I'll get some quality sleep tonight, so I can tackle some miles tomorrow.