Date: 2015-08-22
From: AMC Highlands Center, Crawford Notch

To: AMC Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 6.4

It was so hard getting out of the warm and comfy bed, but the miles will not hike themselves, and it was time to complete more of the Whites. I hit the Lodge all you can eat breakfast buffet pretty hard before heading out.As I was leaving the dining room I said hello to an Atlanta attorney I had dinner with one night while staying at the Highland Center. The dinners are served family style with most of the tables seating 6 or 8 people, so you have no idea who your dinner companions may be. During our meal together I gave him tips about hiking trails in his area, activities offered by the REI stores around Atlanta, hiking poles, and hiking trails in Acadia NP, which was his next destination before returning home. In return he boasted about his skills as a divorce attorney, and I had to look at his bad toupee without starring.He said he had a rental car and was driving to Acadia that morning. I knew he would be driving right past the AT trailhead. He asked what I was up to, and I told him I was heading back out to the AT, but first I needed to find a ride to the trailhead. Without asking which direction or how far the trailhead was located, he quickly snapped back in his smooth southern drawl, "I am sure you have been in this situation before, and surely you will figure it out this time too." So much for southern gentlemen. I am sure trail Karma will take care of him!The AMC shuttle runs on a set schedule. The next shuttle was not leaving until about noon and would have cost me about $20 to go just about 4 miles. The staff suggest I hitch hike.I HATE hitch hiking, and I do not think I am very good at it either. It scares me! There is a train station/visitors center just outside the Highland Center. I took a chance and asked 2 ladies who were on the way to their car if they were going past the Ethan Pond Trailhead. I do not think they were even going in that direction, but they quickly agreed to give me a ride. We had a nice chat, and they even took me up the side road to the trailhead and the exact location I got off the AT just a few days before. Ladies, thank you SO much!!At the trailhead a couple was providing trail magic. They cooked breakfast, and provided drinks and snacks to hikers. Since I was still very full from gorging at the breakfast buffet I just had a Gatorade.Then I hiked down the side road, across US 302, and into the woods. It was a humid and hot but beautiful day for a hike, and I appreciated all the kindness shown to me thus far today. It was going to be a good day, even though I was just starting a very long steady climb to Mt. Washington.The trail climbs out of Crawford Notch at 1277 feet above sea level, reaching a high point at Mt. Washington at 6288 feet, over about 12 miles. The heat, humidity, and terrain made the hiking a bit difficult. In places the trail was steep and rocky, requiring both hands and both feet to climb up and over the rocks. One slip, and down I was going. But the views up and down the valley of Crawford Notch were spectacular. I stopped a few times to take pictures.I had hoped to make it to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, but that would have been over 11 miles, and I just could not go that far. Some of the young thru hikers, who were used to hiking 20+ miles per day, have been complaining that they can only do 10 miles per day due to the terrain. So I should be happy with 5 to 7 miles per day.It was about 6 p.m. when I reached Mizpah Spring Hut. This hut is the only one with campsites right next to it. But rain was a possibility and I wanted to sleep indoors in an effort to avoid getting sick, so I humbly requested work for stay (WFS). 3 young hikers had already been given the few WFS spots. I explain my health issues, and begged a little. They asked if I would be willing to do morning chores, and I said yes.For some reason I was told to put my stuff in an upstairs library/game room where I would also be sleeping. The other 3 were told to sleep in the dining room. We had to wait until the guests were finished eating, the Croo cleaned up, and the Croo ate before we were permitted to eat whatever was left. There was not much left, but I got enough to eat.   I also enjoyed talking with the Croo about their kitchen and cooking at the remote hut. They asked me questions about baking. After dinner a guy and his son asked me questions about thru hiking. It was clear they were very early in their planning process. They reminded me of the father and son from Alabama I met a while back, Super Slider and Jolly.I was glad to be sleeping in the library. I set up a cozy area on the floor and did not have to worry about getting up early so the Croo could prepare the dining room for breakfast. In addition, I would not be able to eat breakfast until after the guests finished eatting, the Croo cleaned up, and the Croo ate, so I cold sleep in, at least a little. Afterwards I would have to do whatever morning chore they assigned to me as part of the WFS deal.The AT is calling. I am glad I have a roof over my head tonight, especially since it is supposed to rain.