Date: 2015-08-23
From: Stealth Camp Near Zeta Pass

To: Route 2 Mile 1890.9
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, the terrain might have been easier, but somehow it felt like a very long day.I was not the first one up for a change but I was the first one out of camp at 6:20. I was hoping for an easy day of 2 mph hiking even though I knew that was unlikely. There must have been some of that but it sure didn't much feel like it.It was supposed to rain but the morning started out clear and I had great views of the Presidential Range from the Carter Mountain summit, or actually, several of the Carter summits. But then the clouds did move in rather quickly and the rest of the day was overcast. Fortunately it didn't rain till fairly late when we were already off the trail.I had good reception on top of the mountain so I got my messages. One of them was from Yoda, who had tried to hike on her injured ankle but had to turn around after half a mile. She was inquiring after my plans and we decided that it would probably work out for us to hike together again. Yay!The rest of the hike was hi-hum, which is not really how I'd describe any of the Whites but there you have it. It just seemed to go on forever, even the sections that were supposed to be easy. And some was decidedly not! I was leap-frogging with Rock Hopper and Zip and we all agreed we were ready to be done for the day and relax, preferably with a soda. After what seemed an eternity but in reality was about 8 or so hours of hiking, I got to the Rattle River trail head at Rt 2. Cruise Control and I were planning to go back to the Barn for two nights because it's got everything we need and is within walking distance of town restaurants. I had my phone out to call to see if Paul would come pick me up but right then a pick up truck turned into the parking lot. It was Jason, Erin and their yellow lab Leila and they had come to do trail magic. They had done so the day before at Pinkham Notch and had a lot of stuff leftover. So really, I was doing them a favor by eating two burgers, a hot dog and some pasta salad! Cruise Control arrived also and did her part to assist in Leftover Reduction, after which Paul came to pick us up. The hostel had a few more people this time, so I decided to go out and talk to Yoda to coordinate plans. I made my way over to Dunkin Donuts but before I got there I heard my name coming from a pick up truck across the street. I couldn't immediately place who it was and that was because it was Mudder, who I had not seen since Franklin. Franklin was around week 2, so that's been a while!Mudder and I caught up over a Boston Cream donut and a latte (for me anyway). He has serious foot issues and can't hike but he is slacking Kansas and Advil with his truck and RV and still gets to experience the trail in a different way. After he left to go pick the two of them up, I went to the pub. It was crowded but I managed to get a seat at the bar and order a Gimlet. Yup, still roughing it! Cruise Control arrived after a bit and we eventually did get a table as well as another excellent dinner (braised beef and frites and yes, they called them frites and not fries). We also ran into Two Bad Dogs, who were planning to zero as well. They were joking about taking a zero for every two days of hiking from here on out. Everyone feels beat up after the Whites!After dinner we had ice cream (naturally) and a relatively early night, for a town night. I was looking forward to sleeping in and enjoying my zero day! Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?