Date: 2018-10-07
From: U.S. Rt 2

To: Imp Shelter 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Before I even begin journaling tonight I want say thanks to all of you who leave messages in my guestbook. I appreciate every suggestion, every word of encouragement, and every ounce of information I¢ve received. Thank you all!  I woke up this morning still a little sore from my run up Mount Washington. My left leg and knee are giving me grief. I had a short day planned hiking to a shelter so I didn¢t rush.  Papa Big Swig dropped me off at 11am. With my full pack on I set out for an overnight in the Whites. This is the first of my two gaps I have to fill in. It felt strange embarking on this adventure without Hugs. I miss her already. My solo hike started beside Rattle River going UP. It will be a 4049ft climb to summit Mount Moriah.  The first two miles or so was a great trail! I listened to the river flow beside me while watching red and gold leaves fall. It was damp and chilly, but beautiful.  I hiked to Rattle River Shelter. There was a group of Japanese people there. I¢m sure they came to see the leaves. The locals call tourists who come this time of year ¢leaf peepers¢ or sometimes just ¢peepers¢. I tried to have some conversation with them, but it went nowhere. They hiked on ahead of me.  I finished my short break and continued UP. I had to cross Rattle River. It looked easy enough on boulders, but my foot slipped...wet feet already! I ended up crossing it again, but managed to stay out of the water the second time. With about 3.5 miles to the summit, the path got steep and rocky. It was at this point the same Japanese group, who had turned around, crossed my path. I stepped aside so everyone could get by. They all said ¢Thank You¢ in very clear English. That was nice. If I ever visit Japan I¢ll be sure to learn Thank You in their language first.  With 2.6 miles to the summit the trail turned to boulders. My clothing was soaked from water dripping off the pine trees. It rained last night to this morning. Even though it¢s not technically raining now, it sure feels like it!  As I continued climbing my way up these wet boulders, I saw a familiar face coming towards me. It was Chuckles! Such a nice kid! He sent his best to Hugs.  I ran into Moosehead and Yogi Beast when I was near the top. Moosehead was a thru-hiker in 2016. They told me of what¢s to come later today.  I finally reached the summit. 4 hours and 45 minutes of climbing! These Whites are no joke! This is rugged terrain.  There was no view. The clouds made for nothing but a grey misty haze. I was drenched and cold.  I had two miles to get to Imp Shelter. They were a rough two miles. Down on wet rocks and boulders. Going down is a thousand times more difficult than going up when things are wet. I arrived at dusk.  One other hiker passed me on the way. He¢s out section hiking while his mother-in-law is visiting...I giggled a little at that! Anyway, he was pitching his tent on a platform. I was thinking yay, I¢ll have the shelter to myself!! But, when turned the corner, there on the upper level was a tent pitched inside the shelter. A dad with his 8 year old son Cooper were ¢Shamping¢. That¢s the lingo for shelter camping! I took a space on the bottom.  It turns out Cooper has now summited four 4K ft  mountains! I¢m so impressed! I love that his dad is taking time to teach him about nature. Just like my dad did for me. Cooper doesn¢t know it yet, but this is the time of his life! 13 miles for me tomorrow and this section will be done. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?