Date: 2010-08-07
From: West Hartford

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

The air was cool when I rolled out of my tent early. I either had a big day ahead of me today or a big one tomorrow. I need to get to RTE 25 in Glencliff NH by Monday noon to meet up with a friend. I need to cover the 43 miles. I began getting ready at 5:30 and was probably on the trail before 6:30. When I went to sleep last night there was only 2 tents set up. When I woke there were about 10 scattered around me. I didn't hear the hikers coming in and they all came in after dark and got themselves set up. I must have been very tired. The elevation changes are getting frequent and much more demanding than it has been. Today will be no exception. A series of 1400ft ups and downs and a big 2000fter to finish the day. It was a perfect August day not to hot with a nice breeze and very little humidity. The day on the trail went well for me today. My legs are doing the job with very little resistance from my feet and knees. Ever since I changed my hiking boots and insoles my feet have been getting increasingly better. I have developed a few light blisters but have already taken care of them and they seem to be good to go. I arrived at the blueblaze trail to Trapper John Cabin at 3:30 and decided to make a run another 6.5 miles up Smarts Mountain. I knew it was going to be a tough climb as the mountain stood looming out in front and high above me. I came down from Trapper Johns and crossed the road to begin my climb when I noticed a handwritten sign that said free water. Across the road was were Bill lived and he allows hikers to get water from the hose. He also gives out free fudgesycles. I filled up with water and kind of cut Bill off from further conversation as I knew I needed as much time to scale that mountain as I could get. I know the top of any climb won't come any quicker no matter how many times I look up to see how much further I have to go. Most times the Mountain's peak is so far away I don't have any idea how much further it is to the top. The trick is as always to keep the head down, breathe steadily and keep the poles and feet moving. After much time I could see that I was racing the sun. I was climbing up very high where there was less and less tree cover so I would atleast get as much daylight as possible. Darkness setting in is a good incentive to keep moving. Nearer the top the trail got very steep and often required assistance from the hands. The legs had to reach up often knee high to reach the next foothold. This is the kind of hiking that I will be experiencing from now until I get out of the Whites and then some. No sense in complaining about the difficulty just keep on going regardless of how slow and before you know it your cresting the summit. I had about enough daylight left to climb the fire tower and take some pictures of the panoramic view. I climbed the stairs and was not allowed into the enclosed tower because a couple hikers had already set up camp in the confined space and would not move their stuff. I took my photos from the last landing and went off to find the Wardens Cabin. It was close by and occupied. They said there was room for a tired old guy so I shared the space with 2 young ladies (Olive Oil & Thunder). Darkness was fast upon us. I had a quick bite to eat before calling it a night.