Date: 2021-06-29
From: Imp Shelter and campsite

To: Rattle River Hostel
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

Twas¢ a hot night at the Imp campsite, I don¢t think the temperature dropped below 72 degrees. I slept barefoot and wore my retired hiking shorts and a T-shirt and did use my hammock under quilt.  I drank a liter of water upon waking, as I don¢t think I drank enough yesterday through the heat and humidity. I¢ve been really good at carrying water but a tad remiss at drinking it. I was packed and on trail at 5:45 for the last mountain we had in the Whites: Mt Moriah. It was a dainty climb of just under a thousand feet and the views looking back south were just stupid good.  I think I crossed five exposed ledges on the way to the peak and stopped each time to goggle.  Dorothy, we¢re not in Michigan anymore. Then it was some steep downs for the next 4 miles until the trail leveled out into what I used to think ¢trail¢ meant: woodsy, with soft leaves and a gentle slope. Yeeha was right behind me the whole way even though he¢s battling a shin injury that may force him off-trail. He¢s taking a zero on Wednesday to ice and recuperate and then assess how he feels. I¢m just gutted for him to be this close and then have an injury. It¢s a reminder to me that at anytime I may take a step and have something go ¢pop¢ and my hike could be over. I¢m trying to enjoy everyday I am blessed to be out here.  I finished the 8 miles in just under 4 hours and arrived at the Rattle River hostel which sits right next to the trail.Here, they great you with a complimentary popsicle so you can unwind, then they have you grab loaner clothes and take a shower next to their pack room.  Shoes have to stay outside and packs and gear cannot go into the house-proper.  All your laundry goes into a mesh bag and then they wash and dry for you. I¢m sure these rules may seem overly stringent to some, but the payoff is that the common areas are clean and the bunk rooms don¢t reek of wet socks and sweat-soaked packs.  Sev approves.  Four of us took the 11:30 shuttle to Walmart to resupply for the next 3-5 days of hiking.  I was wearing  a slightly torn pair of basketball shorts, a t-shirt two sizes to big for me and unlaced, beat up hiking shoes. I felt like I was one with Clan Walmart.  I picked up my peanut butter and Fritos as I had all the other food I would need already and then grabbed some lunch.  In a mild upset, I chose a pre-made Caesar salad, chicken salad and cantaloupe.  I don¢t even know who I am anymore.Back to the hostel to while away the very hot day and put together some plans for the next stretch.  Sitting 22 miles away in Mahoosuc notch - a mile long boulder scramble that takes anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours to navigate.  So we¢re trying to time our arrival so we can tackle it in the earlier part of the day.  Immediately after comes the Mahoosuc Arm climb which is among the steepest on the trail going up 1500 feet in less than a mile.  Complicating matters are the thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow and rain on Friday.  So I may hike 11 miles or 15 miles, just depending on what the trail brings.My plan is to hike, and deal with whatever needs to be dealt with.