Date: 2003-08-07
From: NH12/Kinsman Notch

To: Kinsman Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Today was a great, hard day! The mileage doesn't look like much, but it took us almost 9 hours of hiking to get here. We had steep climbs, gradual climbs, muddy trail and lots of rocks. But it didn't matter. Hotdog and I both knew we weren't going to put in "big" miles today, especially coming out of town. Maybe knowing that made us relax and just hike today. It's good to know that you're only hiking for 10 or 11 miles in a day, even if it takes all day!We left North Woodstock around 9, and were on the AT before 9:30, ready to tackle the mountains. Or hike a bit anyway. The climbs are becoming more of rock scrambling than hiking. That's not a bad thing though. I like it. It's different, and it provides built-in breaks when I stop to figure out the best way to handle a pile of boulders. I do not, however, like the steep descents over the boulders. Especially since everything is wet. But, I do what I can, and just try to make it down safely.My shoes are wet. Still. The trail is muddy, sometimes the mud is over a foot deep! Thankfully, I found that out using my hiking pole instead of my leg. I stepped into mud that was over my shoe tops though. Oops. Sometimes, it looks like there is a rock in the mud, but I step there and find out, it was just mud. It doesn't make much of a differece anyway. It's not like my shoes would be dry otherwise.The skies appeared to be clearing this morning, and I was looking forward to a view or two from one of the three peaks we crossed today. I was disappointed in that I didn't get much of a view, but on South Kinsman I could at least see some of the mountains around me. It was well above 4000' elevation, near or above treeline. Around treeline, the trees don't grow very tall, usually not over 8ft. And above treeline, it is just a rocky bald.   It's weird being around little trees. It makes me feel like a giant. It's very cool though, even on the overcast, foggy, cloudy days that I've seen lately.I got a little homesick again today, after talking to friends and family last night. But the only thing that will keep me from Katahdin is injury or illness, and I will do my best to prevent either of them. I know that, soon enough, I will get to see my f&f, and that is good enough for me. I tend to think about things at home, or the decisions I have to make when I am done with the AT, especially after talking to those at home. I think that's why I don't sleep well in towns. My mind starts going and I can't stop it. I do have a lot of decisions to make, but I still have plenty of time to do that, and I don't want to spend my trail time thinking about that stuff. So far, while on the trail, it has not been a problem.Hotdog and I are at this Campsite, and were here by ourselves. Now a NOBO and his cousin are here as well. In the Whites, a campsite has a shelter and tent pads. A tentsite has tent pads only, and huts are kinda like B&Bs in the mountains. The huts are expensive, around $60/night for a bunk, plus dinner and breakfast. Thruhikers can try to get work-for-stay at the huts, and get all you can eat leftovers after the paying guests have their fill. At the popular areas, there is a fee of $8/person for staying in the shelters or tentsites.   We are in the shelter tonight. It's rather large, so the four of us can spread out. There is a hut about 2 miles north, so this campsite is one of the least used in the Whites. I don't mind though. It's nice to have space. Plus, I didn't want to go any farther.I met a lot of SOBOs today. They said they all got bunched up in North Woodstock, from Franconia Notch/US3, just north of here. I met Zigzag, Clearwater, Cadence, Sunshine and Medicine Man, BoBo, and Plumber, plus a section hiker and two others. I think that's the most I've seen in one day. I like seeing them on the trail. They have a lot of enthusiasm, and I encourage them all to enjoy every moment. It is a long haul and a good attitude is SO important.Hotdog must've been feeling better today. He was in a very good mood, and we had fun today. I am happy to be here and be experiencing this trail. It is difficult, and today proved that, but I am very happy with today. And I look forward to another great day tomorrow!