Date: 2009-08-07
From: NH 25, Glencliff

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Andrew and Olivia were set to arrive at 8 am, and I had a lot to do to get ready before then! I got out of bed at 6 am, feeling like I did not have nearly enough sleep after such a tough day, and made my way over to the outdoor shower, while everyone else remained sound asleep. I snacked on some of the banana bread that Charlie and Dorinda so kindly sent to the hostel, sorted some things, and made my way over to the post office in the fog. In this town, it opened at 7 am, which was fortunate for me! Erik had sent a large package, as I had asked him to mail me my cold weather clothes. Before I even had a chance to open it, Andrew and Olivia pulled in! I was feeling so tired and stressed. The last thing I wanted to do was start one of the toughest climbs of the Whites! I just wanted to rest! There were several mix-ups with things that I asked for, which caused me more stress, but after a lot of sorting and going back and forth to collect and pack my things, give Andrew and Olivia a few things to hold for me, paying the hostel, taping up my ankle, putting in my contacts, and drinking the last of my coffee, I was finally ready! It was now 10:30 in the morning!   We drove down to the trailhead and found our starting point, which lead straight down a steep, eroded bank into a large river, which we did not see how to cross! Maybe this wasn¢t the trail! Back and forth we wandered, trying to figure out where the AT was. Olivia finally pulled out her map and guidebook, and determined that this river was indeed part of the trail! Olivia tried to find a place to cross, and determined we would have to take off our shoes! I felt bad that I was making my friends travel this part! We all made it across without incident, and Olivia helped me re-tape my ankle on the other side, as the new gauze was already bunched up.   We saw Carpenter and Doublezip making their way across a fallen tree, and continued on to the road ahead, which we walked on for a bit before turning into the woods and starting the climb. I caught Andrew and Olivia up on all the recent happenings since they last saw me. I had a lot to tell them about! Olivia listened to me patiently and offered me her sympathy as well as a few hugs, which I appreciated. The climb got steeper, but it was not as tough as I had imagined! It probably helped that I was distracted. An English man and his son and daughter caught up to us, as we decided to take a sandwich break. The father told me I was keeping a good pace. His son was strumming a ukulele, as he walked uphill, as if he was strolling in a park! I was amazed.   Andrew made many sandwiches for us. I asked for turkey and provolone and peanut butter and honey, and he did not fail to deliver! This was the second time I had a sandwich on the trail and I really enjoyed it! As we continued on, the steepness of the climb increased, and my breathing got heavy. Olivia is in great shape and could have easily gone ahead, but she insisted in staying right by me. She said they were here to support me, which I really appreciated. She also equated my pack to carrying a 40 pound child on my back, and said it was no wonder that I was breathing hard!      We waited for Andrew when we came to a sidepath, and then all hiked into the open alpine area! The views were incredible! I was so happy! I felt so lucky that I had the opportunity to hike the entire White Mountain range! We hadn¢t seen anything like this on the trail so far! The terrain flattened out and Andrew took the lead. I could see the summit sign in the distance! The wind whipped around us and we fought our way to the rocky summit and tried to find a place to hunker down where we could be shielded from the wind. The English family invited us over to their area, and we snacked on more sandwiches, an apple, and chocolate! I looked up to see Kog, Ahab, Carpenter, DoubleZip, and Holmes and Watson arriving! We were all ecstatic! Kog told Ahab that we had just walked a 1700 mile approach trail to this! They kept yelling, ¢Alpine Zone!¢ Ahab hopped up on a rock, looked out, and demonstrated his ¢Triple H¢ move. He said he would do this on every summit in the White Mountains. We could see mountain range after mountain range. The beauty was indescribable. I told Kog that he was home... that we were home! I wanted to stay there for hours! I felt comfortable and free. Olivia and Andrew said that had to get going, as they had to get all the way back to the car and then drive back to Boston. I wished they could have stayed longer! I didn¢t want to see them go so soon! I watched them disappear down another trail, hung out with the other hikers for awhile longer, and then finally made my way off the summit.    The next shelter was only 2 miles away, but the one after that was over 11 miles away, and I did not have time to get to that one. So, at 4:30 in the afternoon, I ended my hiking day! The English family was already setting up in the shelter, which had a nice view of the Franconia Range. I loved this shelter and decided I would stay in it as well. Carpenter, Double Zip, Skeeter, and Holmes all set up their tents. Later, Kog, Chance, and Ahab came in, followed by several southbounders. I enjoyed another sandwich that Andrew had left me, made some coffee, and snacked on M+Ms. It was a really enjoyable evening! Ahab taught Drive and Pog his ¢Triple-H¢ tooth brushing move, and presented them with certificates after they demonstrated their own competence. We all watched the sunset and chatted the cool evening away. I was perfectly content. What started out as a rough morning turned out to be one of my best days on the trail.