Date: 2015-08-15
From: Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I wanted to get an early start, but I also wanted to see the weather report. Every morning by 7 a.m. the huts and shelters post the weather report. With no cell coverage or wifi, that is about the only way hikers in the White Mountains can get weather reports. The report was not good. Over 50% chance of severe thunderstorms were predicted for this afternoon and tonight.I decided to check out Kinsman Pond before heading out. It was absolutely beautiful. I did not, however, collect my water from the pond. I am trying to avoid pond water if at all possible even though I always filter my water.Back on the trail the descent became very steep with lots of slick wet rocks. Steps were attached in some places, which helped to some extent. Rather than risk falling, in some places I just sat down on the rocks and crab walked my way down. My pants were already muddy from the knees down and the front was filthy from pulling myself up and over the rocks. So what if the back of the pants got dirty too!Again, there were gaps or abysses to jump, and lots of holes for critters. And because it was the weekend, there were also lots of city folk day hikers, with their loud voices, kids, and dogs - leaving trash, tissue, and dog poop along the trail.As I was struggling to climb down one particularly slick stretch I could hear a group of 8 older women coming up the trail, howlering to one another, for quite some time as they were stretched out along the trail. The one who was leading the group met me first and I commented about how her voice really carried. She quickly got the hint and apologized for being so loud, realizing she was not exercising good trail etiquette and was not complying with the LNT principles (particularly #7, be considerate of others). At that point I thought the matter was over and went well. As you will soon see, I was so wrong.I was glad to reach the Lonesome Lake Hut by late morning. I inquired about work-for-stay. Despite the predicted storm, my AMC membership, and my age, I was told it was too early in the day and I needed to keep moving. (The huts allow a limited number of hikers to stay on the floor of the dining room, and give them left over food in exchange for minimal labor. But usually the time to ask is between 4 & 6 p.m.)I then asked if there were any guest spots open. There had been 1 cancellation. The next campsite was 5.5 miles away, and the wind was picking up. I decided to play it safe and take the guest spot. For a hefty fee, despite my membership discount, I received dinner, breakfast, and a bunk (a top bunk of course) in a room with 3 other women.I found a quiet spot along the lake and cooked one of my bag dinners for lunch. The place was a noisy zoo. Day hikers crowded in and around the lake with their screaming kids and barking dogs. As along the trail, they left tissue, trash, and dog poop. They also fed the wildlife despite several signs telling everyone not to do so. Thankfully the day hikers headed down the trail about mid-afternoon. Then the paying guests began to show up.I retreated to the dining room to work on my written journal until dinner. (Three thru hikers were given work-for-stay. I knew one of them. She told me they had to wait outside until 8 p.m., after the guests and Croo ate, and were given the left overs. Then they were asked to move firewood for 1/2 hour in the dark. They slept on the dining room floor after the guests went to bed. None of the 3 stayed for breakfast.)Just before dinner was served everyone was chased out so they could set the tables. One of the workers, or "Croo", gave a brief talk on the porch about the huts and how they operate. The 8 loud women I met on the trail were there and again were loud, interrupting the poor kid's talk several times. One stood right beside where I was sitting on a step and loudly announced several times that she smelled "wet dog." She made it clear she was not talking about the guy next to her. Which only left me - the stinky dirty middle aged thru hiker. I was so tempted to confront her, but I thought she was making a big enough ass of herself, so I just let it go. Apparently those 8 old bags were carrying a grudge for me politely commenting about their obnoxious behavior on the trail.Dinner was served family style. I ate at a long table with 2 families of 4. One family was considerate and friendly, the other not so much. The 8 women sat nearby and gave me daggered looks throughout dinner.My bunk mates were 3 nice women who all knew one another. I went to bed very early. They were considerate when they came in at 11:15 p.m., but they still woke me up despite ear plugs. One also snored very loudly. So I slept very little. I felt I totally wasted the afternoon. It never did rain.   It got windy and cloudy, but the storm passed over.The AT is calling. I would have slept better, and for free, if I had simply stealth camped. Next time I will think twice about staying at a hut.