Date: 2005-08-04
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake Of The Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

Crawford Notch to Lake Of The Clouds Hut Fantastic Day! Yesterday afternoon was so clear and beautiful that the summit of Washington was sharp and clear from thousands of feet below in Crawford Notch. We felt sad to be down in the valley on such a gorgeous day when the forecast for today was clouds and low visibility. So we were elated when we woke up to cool crisp morning beneath the clear blue sky. We had breakfast at the Highland Lodge with Kenny, then began our ascent towards Mt. Pizpah hut 2,600 ft. up the mountain. We had fantastic views back towards the Franconia ridge, forward to Mount Washington and down into the Crawford Notch Valley. The climb was steep and rocky with many rock scrambles. Though it was slow going we made it to Mt. Pizpah hut in time for lunch. Raz came up shortly after us and we enjoyed hot soup and camp food for lunch. It's hard to believe that were already here at Lake's Of The Clouds Hut just 1.4 mi. from the summit of Washington. This is such a huge milestone for us. It's one of those places that seemed so far off and abstract that we'd never actually get there. Now, that abstraction has materialized into reality and here we are. The hike from Mt. Pizpah to lake's of the clouds was more of the same steep, rock scrambly stuff in the beginning. After getting above tree line we'd gained all our elevation and we were left with beautiful, scenic walking. I had an extra bounce to my step with the anticipation of reaching this much anticipated milestone, and we arrived earlier than I expected. We were fortunate to arrange work for stay (since the price of staying as an actual guest is somewhat prohibitive right now), so we were eager for the delicious dinner and night sleeping in the hut. Lake's is the largest hut in the White Mountains hut system on A.T., with capacity for 90 guests. There is a completely full house tonight and its pretty overwhelming to be around so many people all in one place. With work for stay, thru hikers eat dinner with the crew, after all the guests have eaten and everything's been cleaned up and put away. We could smell the 1st smells of dinner when we arrived and the aromas got stronger and stronger as we neared dinner time. Finally, 6:00 p.m. came and dinner was about to be served to the guests. We got to sit at a side table and watch as each of their courses was brought out, served, and eaten. It is difficult to describe the exact extent of the torture this represented for us, sitting aside feeling a little like second-class citizens. Like very, very, excruciatingly hungry, somewhat smelly, very tired, second-class citizens. Our job was to clean up after the guests had finished their dinner. We did so enthusiastically and when we were done and the crew uttered those sublime words "come and eat," I knew my empty stomach might find salvation instead of starvation. The dinner was very tasty, and it was fun hanging around in the kitchen talking with the crew. I was way off my normal dinner and bedtime though, so I wasn't as outgoing as I might have been otherwise. After dinner we had to wait until 930 P M, lights out, to set up on the lodge's great dining room floor and finally lay down our weary bodies. A very long, full day today full of milestones and much anticipated experiences. It's still hard to believe that we're here in the Whites with just our last week's of the adventure remaining. I'm grateful for the beautiful weather we had today and to have had the opportunity to have the work for stay hut experience. Some things are very much in line with what I hoped for or expected and others were different. All in all, a very good day. Let's hope we have another good one to go over Mount Washington tomorrow. Gravity