Date: 2009-08-20
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I had originally planned on taking a "zero day" in Glencliff, NH; 3 days from now. I have decided to take that "zero day" now instead. Bottom line is that I would just enjoy it more here in Hanover than in Glencliff. There are plenty of computers here with two librarys and the Dartmouth Outdoor Club (which has computers for hiker use).Post Office, outfitters, eateries, groceries; all packed in right next to where I am camping (within 1/2 mile) .... yep, I'm camping for my zero day .... hey, things are expensive in New England!! Glencliff has a Post Office. That's it. When I stay at the hostel there (right across the street from the Post Office), I'll have to get a shuttle ride to a store to get supplies.But I do want to get a "zero day" in before tackling the White Mountains. One part of the White Mountain stretch will be a 7-day hike .... meaning carrying lots of weight (food). I guess the picnic is over after today! I had some Air Force flashbacks as I was preparing stuff today. And I guess I could have compared the hike to my Air Force career as well. But as an Air Force navigator, I had to take what was called a "checkride" once per year. An evaluator would fly with me and examine every detail of the flight. So you prepared much more thoroughly for a checkride than you did for an "every-day" flight .... basically making sure everything "looked pretty." So today I felt like I was getting ready for a checkride. I replaced all the batteries in my headlamp and flashlight. I went through all of my equipment to make sure it was "serviceable" .... a military term I think ....meaning everything in working order and in good shape.So I feel I'm going into the White Mountains very prepared. My mind is set right, knowing my mileage will decrease, knowing the climbs AND descents will be the toughest yet, and knowing the weather can be nasty and unpredictable.By the way, just got a text message from Goof yesterday. He summited Mount Washington yesterday at noon. Mount Washington is known for: "Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m). It is famous for its dangerously erratic weather, holding the record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, at 231 mph (372 km/h) on the afternoon of April 12, 1934." (Wikipedia website) And I'm also told that it has snowed there during every month of the year in the past.I did run into Old Hobo last night and we went to Ben and Jerry's for some ice cream. He hiked out this morning, so he will be ahead of me by a day. I should catch up to him though down the road sometime. I hung out with The Birds (Mockingbird, Hummingbird, and Tufted Titmouse) and Dusty Bottoms (who I had been referring to, in past entries, as Dustin .... sorry Dusty) this afternoon at some different hang out spots around town. Otter is also in town. I also met a group of new northbounders .... coming into town today .... Bookworm, Lunch Box (met him earlier in the hike), Magic, Bones, and a couple of others. Busy place today, hiker wise. Thanks Brian for posting my lastest pictures!! I even had a chance to get titles on them. Vermont is beautiful country, that's for sure!! Well, tomorrow I hike out and head up Moose Mountain. Hopefully I have more luck with mountains called Moose Mountain (seeing Moose) than I did with mountains called Bear Mountain (0 for at least 3)!!