Date: 2003-08-06
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: NH12/Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: light rain

A new record low mileage day for me! Actually, I don't count days I go into town or out of town in my shortest days calculations, so this one doesn't count.It rained last night. A lot! On and off all night, and it was sprinkling when we left the shelter this morning. I put on my rain jacket, and it figures, it stopped about 5 minutes after I reached the trail. I started getting hot, even though I was going downhill. It was a steep downhill, with big rock steps, and that made me work hard. And sweat. So I stopped, took off my jacket, shouldered my pack again, and continued on. About 5 minutes after that, it started raining again. Once again, it figures! I didn't bother with my rain jacket.The trail was quite steep, and with the rain, I was taking it pretty slowly. I don't care for steep downhills, especially if it's wet out. With last night's rains and the current rain, it was wet. Part of the time, the trail was a stream itself. At some points, there were rebar handrails, and wooden steps to help navigate over the huge, slick, slanted rocks. I only fell once, and pretty much knew I was going to before I did, so I turned so my left side was toward the rock, and crept sideways toward a rock step. I slipped before I reached it, but slid safely to it, just as I figured I would.If I weren't so concerned about falling, I would have really enjoyed the hike. Well, if I didn't have an extra 35 pounds on my back, I would have enjoyed it more too! Because I have a goal of reaching Katahdin this year, I am more cautious. I don't want to get injured and end this hike prematurely. For a lot of the downhill today, we scrambled next to waterfalls. I was concentrating so much on my steps that I didn't pay much attention to the falls. Finally, once I reached a level place, I took a moment to look at the falls. It was very cool! I would consider hiking up Mt. Moosilauke again, but carrying less weight, such as just a daypack.When we got to the road, Hotdog said his intention was to get to town and go to a clinic. I asked if he was going to get a room. 'Yes.' 'Are you planning on taking tomorrow off?' 'No.' 'Do you want me to come along?' Not given a straight answer, I said I'd go into town, but that I didn't want to take tomorrow off. He said he didn't either. I decided, either yesterday or this morning, that I didn't want to hike without Hotdog. I mean, if he got injured or ill and had to take several days off at a time, I would go on, as I'm sure he would if that happened to me. But I can take an easy day every now and then, especially if it means he will get feeling better.I saw the weather forecast today... and SURPRISE, more rain! It looks like the scattered showers will stick around for the next 5 or so days. And that darned humidity too! (sigh) I guess I will just keep on hiking and take advantage of whatever views I get. That's been the headline of the adventure so far. Why change now?After we ate lunch, I spent the day relaxing, while Hotdog went to a medical clinic. I went to a coffee house to use their internet, then made some phone calls, and just relaxed at the hotel. My knees were not happy after that steep downhill this morning, and have been sore all day. I used to take for granted sitting down and getting up, but not any more. Today it's been more like bend the knees until it hurts, then fall the rest of the way. It makes using the toilet interesting. I'm glad no one watches me. They'd probably laugh pretty hard!I'm looking forward to getting back up the mountains again, despite the poor weather forecast. It will be tough, these next couple of weeks, if not for the rest of the way, but when things get tough, I'll just put one foot in front of the other and keep truckin. It's as simple as that.