Date: 2018-07-16
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Vermont is in the review mirror, but it¢s not too late to give props to those who help to maintain the AT through the state. A big shout out to the National Park Service, Forestry Service, the Green Mountain Club, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and other organizations and volunteers who manage the AT/LT and shelters for thousands of hikers to enjoy every year. Now my sights are set on the great State of New Hampshire, specifically the White Mountains. It will a three day hike before I hit the Whites. It could be done in two days, but I want to be as fresh as possible going into the trek over what should be the biggest challenge to date. The terrain and scenery on today¢s hike was similar to that of the last 50 miles or so of Vermont. The climbs did get a little steeper. The limited views of distant mountains are also getting much more spectacular. Fran dropped me back on the trail (in town) for a 0700 start. The first of three climbs today was up to Velvet Rocks. I didn¢t see any velvet on the Rocks. On the way up I passed a SOBO rushing to get to town. She told me it was the first southbound town that the trail actually passes through. That means it was my last. I hadn¢t thought about that until she said something. I gave her Fran¢s number to call in the event she needed a place to stay and wished her well. After passing over Velvet Rocks there were several miles of ups, downs, fields, and road crossings. About 9 miles into the hike I came to Mink Brook, where I stopped for water and lunch. Up until this point I had only seen the one hiker. But that changed as 6-8 NOBOs and about as many SOBOs converged on one of the few water sources for the day. Several of the NOBOs started the trail around the 20th of February. Epic also came by hiking south. He has a package coming to Hanover today. Fran gave him a ride 17 AT miles north and he is hiking back to town so he can get the package.The biggest climb of the day was a 1,200¢ ascent up Moose Mountain. No, I didn¢t see any Moose on the mountain. On the descent from Moose Mtn a SOBO passed by and said there was no water to the north until Grant Brook. This was not good news, as the Brook was about 2.5 miles past the shelter where I was planning to stop for the night. The final climb was 1,000¢ up to Holts Ledge. I took my last drink of water from my hydration bladder as I neared the top. I had about a cup of Gatorade left in a plastic bottle. It was still a mile to the shelter and over three miles to the Brook. Two pairs of hikers were on the ledge making arrangements to stay at Lyme. Storms are forecast to move in tonight and tomorrow morning and they didn¢t want to get caught in one on Smarts Mtn (the first big climb tomorrow). It looks to me that the most severe weather is not moving in until late morning. I should be able to at least make it to the top by the time serious weather moves in. There is an Old Cabin converted to a shelter at the top. Worst case I¢ll just hunker down there until the storms pass. About halfway down to the side trail leading to the shelter the trail passed through a small draw. What¢s this? A trickle of water was flowing out of the mountain and pooling up a bit just above the footbridge. I scooped 2 liters into the dirty bag and continued to the shelter. Three other hikers were already at the shelter when I arrived. As it turns out, there was also a spring of pooling water just below the shelter.I occupied a spot inside the shelter with three other hikers and took care of business. It¢s way past dark now and some bird or something is making a sick sound. I hope it moves on soon. A breeze is picking up. I plan to get up early and check the weather. I¢ll decide how to approach tomorrow when I see how things are shaping up. Someone pinch me, I¢m dreaming that I am hiking the AT in New Hampshire!Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 4,460Descent - 3,480Grade - 9.0Weather:Day - 88 / Mostly SunnyNight - 70 / Rain and ThunderOver The Horizon: White Mountain National Forest