Date: 2013-07-19
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 17.8

July 19th: Hiked 17.8 miles from Beaver Brook Shelter to Franconia Notch. Total miles hiked: 1812.8, 373.1 to go. Today from start to finish was awesome, if not a little hair raising. Met my neighbors Mark and John and Mark' son Spuds at the NH 112 trail crossing in the morning. Had a short 1.5 mile hike to get there but I can honestly tell you it was the most difficult, nerve wracking, downright dangerous section of trail I have encountered since leaving GA. The fact that all the rocks on the ridiculously steep declines were wet and slippery only amped up the fear factor but alas I made it to the trail head (a little late) in one piece. John and Mark came in separate cars and had one parked at the starting line and finishing line of the hike. When I met the guys, I was able to jettison a lot of the stuff in my pack and store it in John's car to make today, for me, a slack packing pleasure. The main attraction of today's hike was North and South Kinsman Mts, a couple of 4000 footers. Now in the Whites, which is known for tough hikes, this is a really tough hike. For three guys doing their first hike of the season, doing 15+ miles is bad ass, if not a little crazy. Because we were at higher elevations, the temps were relatively comfortable and there was a steady breeze. Due to the terrain and the fact we had some first of the season hikers finding their trail legs we maintained a slow pace with a lot of breaks. The hiking was challenging but we really had a good time just chit chatting and catching up. Mapping out the day, we figured we would complete the hike by 7:30 but the whites had different plans. We made it to South summit a little after 5:00 and after taking pics and taking in the stunning views we made over to the North summit before heading down the mountains and the 5 mile trek to Franconia Notch. Still, we thought we had enough daylight to make it to our final destination. Thank God John and I had headlamps. By 9:00 we still had a over a mile to go and it was dark. Real dark. Thankfully we were at a lower elevation at that time but the trail was still muddy, slippery and rock strewn. Even with headlamps, the trail was difficult to follow with several twists and turns with a couple of rock hopping stream crossings. We got a little off trail a couple of times but for the most part were able to find our way. Then the rain and thunder storms rolled in which only added to the excitement. Groping our way in the pitch black we slogged on and at 9:45, exhausted but in high spirits we popped into the parking lot and into the sanctuary of Mark's truck. By this time Mark's brother had made arrangements for us to stay in a friends condo at Loon Mt in Lincoln which was pure Nerva. By the time we retrieved John's car and made it into town, it was nearly 11:00 and the only option for food was takeout pizza. Back at the condo, we pigged out, cleaned up and didn't get to bed till after 1am. We all agreed that although we had pushed to the limit it was a memorable adventure and all around great day. As an added bonus for me, I can now check night hiking off my list for the AT. Greatly overrated I might add. Both John and Mark have bowed out of hiking a second day with me which is proof that they are intelligent, responsible adults but I want to thank both of them for making the day one of the highlights of my trip. Today I plan on a relatively light ( but difficult) 12 mile hike to Galehead Hut. Weather could be an issue so my backup plan would be to hit the Greenleaf Hut, a short 6 mile hike if the sky looks threatening out on the ridge.