Date: 2018-07-25
From: US 302

To: Neuman Tenting - Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

July 25 = Happy Birthday Amy!Well, this was a tough day. Actually I need to give a little more info on yesterday to set the stage properly...Stayed at the campground about 3.5 miles east of the trail in Crawford Notch. Paid their ridiculous prices for some resupply items but happy to be carrying some real food for a few days. Decided to pay their ridiculous camping fee (gizmo and I split it so not too bad) and acquiesced for amenities. Looked forward to shower & cleaning some clothes! First the washer was busted. Then went to take a shower and the semi lukewarm water turned to ice water after first minute. Shit! I was able to rinse some dirt and funk off but still stink. Clothes are still sour smelling too. Went to bed grumpy in the rain...This morning was up with the sun and packed quick. Went up to the store/office for coffee and biscuit but they don¢t open for 2 more hours. Geez¢this place was a mistake. Made instant coffee, ate poptarts, and headed to the highway. Walked 3.6 miles along US302 and never caught a ride. (Actually saw less than 10 cars during the hike back to the AT.) So, once again, walked much farther than log will indicate. Tried hard to make the best of the situation but it is tough. My frame of mind has been deteriorating with each passing rain shower for the last two days. Having a hard time getting passed it. The feet are now in perilous shape and tomorrow I¢ll be climbing Mt Washington in more rotten weather. Egads... The climb out of Crawford Notch is tough going up 3000 ft of elevation in first 3 miles. The drizzle began to break up and even a few rays of sunshine appeared as I reached Webster Cliffs. Tried to pull out some wet stuff to dry but the sun was too fleeting. Sat and rested for longer than I meant to and as the clouds enveloped me I restarted up the mountain. Eventually crossing the summit of Mt. Webster, then Mt. Jackson, the climb was slow as the slick rocks treated me to a few stumbles and one hard fall. (Thankfully the pack bore the worst of the landing). I did not reach the Mizpah Hut until mid-afternoon but happy to get up here. Treated myself to coffee (and cake) and warmth before heading to the tenting area just down a side trail. Set up on the platform before the real downpour came BUT water didn¢t drain on the platform (the gaps are clogged between the boards)...just pooled up under my tent. ¢Some days you are the windshield and some days you¢re the bug¢. Dang, sleeping in wet tonight. As the storm passed, went out to make dinner and it was yummy. Hot tea, pot of wild rice with salami and Vermont cheddar on top. The rain stayed away as I cooked and the caretaker came by so I had company while eating. We talked for a long time and my spirits were lifted considerably. Got all my pots, food bag and smelly stuff locked in the bear box before the rain returned. More thunderstorms expected tonight but I¢m tucked away in the tent and have dry socks on these worn out feet. All feels right with the world at the moment. Life is Amazing. Keep walking (even if your feet rot off)Songs of the Day:Little Guitars - Van Halen (the sun came out for the first time today while on the cliffs & this song started. A couple of perfect minutes)Dark Star>Wharf Rat>Jam>Dark Star - Grateful Dead. (Came on as I was working up the summit of Mt Jackson. The ¢beautiful jam¢ began the moment I reached the Cairn marking the summit. One of the most soulful pieces of music ever released on the earth, it simply made my day){journal note* my phone battery is low and must last two more days to Pinkham Notch. Afraid this journal is about to ¢go dark¢ for a bit. Thanks for following along!}