Date: 2008-06-11
From: glencliff, nh

To: eliza brook shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

A couple more things from last night first. Indian Summer and I got a ride into town to go to the deli and he had to resupply. Great sandwiches and I needed a couple things too. He bought a six pack and I was going to as well, but he said he could only drink a couple and I could have the rest. Works for me. IS almost got beat up by a local for flirting with the clerk, that was interesting. We escaped unharmed and went back to the hostel. Watched another movie and enjoyed our dinner and beer.Around 9, a large thunderstorm rolled in. Tons of thunder and lightning, high winds even in the valley and some hail. Guess it was a good night to be under a roof and four walls.Hard to sleep on the mattress. After a while, IS gave up and slept on the floor. I should have done the same thing.Got up in the morning and wasn't in a hurry. Dilly dallied for a few hours and listened to some music. Left the hostel and hit the trail around ten because I wanted to lunch atop Moosilauke.The climb was 3000 feet over 6 miles, with most of the rise at the end. Wasn't bad though. No switchbacks but I cruised up it in about two hours.As I was approaching the top, the trees kept getting shorter. Eventually they were head height, then shoulder and knee height. Then they disappeared. I was above that magical and imaginary line for the first time of the trip {the southern balds are all man made}. It was incredible up top. Very high and windy. IS greeted me when I arrived and I took lunch on the very peak in the midst of huge winds. IT was amazing to behold.Got the first unobscured view of the whites and the puny looking hills we came from. Saw Mt. Washington in the distance looming over its smaller siblings in the Presidentials. It was a view to behold. Took a video with my camera and was nearly blown off the hill.Spent about an hour up top before I headed down. One sectioner up there told me my goal for the day was impossible. I said I would make it. He reassured me that it was impossible. Another couldn't believe how small my pack was. I have everything I need, and I haven't shivered once yet in 1800 miles.Headed down the mountain and got to a trail crossing. Didn't pay much attention and headed down the hill. About two miles later I was informed by a day hiker I bumped into that I definitely was not on the AT. This upset me more than a little. Climbed back up about 1500 feet to the top again and saw my error. Once again headed down. I was pissed at first, but it was my fault and I couldn't be mad at that beautiful mountain for long.With about a mile and a half left to descend, the trail had to drop about 2000 feet. Got to this section and there was a sign saying this trail was very dangerous, and you should take another path because there could be tragic results for continuing. I'm not joking. Took a picture of the sign and continued on of course.Well, the sign wasn't lying. The trail went down a ravine next to a stream. The trail was about a 45 degree angle for most of the descent. In other words it was very steep and wet. A great combination. I slipped a bunch of times, but never fell. The stream grew as I descended and it transformed into a raging torrent racing over rocks and around bends, and often jumping off into oblivion to make tall waterfalls. The stream was absolutely spectacular and made it well worth my climb back up the hill.Made it to Kinsman Notch in one piece, popped some Vitamin-I and headed back up hill. Tons of steps at first then constant up and down undulations for 9 miles to the shelter. Did I mention this entire stretch of trail was a flooded bog with no way to prevent getting wet? Extremely slow going and I fell many times, around 7 I think. Bend two Leki sections in different falls. Shouted many obscenities at the "trail" maintainers. Some miserable miles.Finally rolled into the shelter at 7:20. Take that sectioner-who-knows-it-all. Easily made it with a four mile "detour" to boot. I know what I can do, don't tell me want I can't do.Some cool guys at the shelter, and there weren't even black flies for once. Awesome. Talked a bunch and hit it.A day of ups and downs, but I think I will really enjoy the Whites.