Date: 2013-09-13
From: Camp Cushwa, Ma

To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 366.3
Weather: broken clouds

Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire I apologize for the lack of updates. In short I have been walking a lot recently. Currently I am at the tail end of the White Mountains. The Whites are as difficult as rumored. Long climbs up, steep rugged terrain, large outcroppings and rock slabs that require bouldering. My hip/bottom muscles are sore from the large steps up and down. The weather is a difficult factor to consider as one day may be clear for miles, warm and muggy while the next day is socked in, cold wet and clammy. The wind gusts at high elevations are enough to force your feet to fall in places you hadn't intended and the chill will penetrate to the bone. All in all the reward is breathtaking views at countless mountain tops. There are 48 mountain tops above 4000 feet in the White Mountains alone. It has been a bit frustrating to slow down so drastically though and feels as if I hit a bit of a speed bump. There are several sections above tree-line, where you can see for miles in every direction and St Croix, Nutella and I had Franconia Ridge to ourselves, where we watched the sunset as we climbed to the summit of Mt Lafayette, as a result we had to night hike down into the trees in 40 mph sustained winds, 60 mph gusts and probably about 30 degree temperature. The night hike was exhilarating and one of the most memorable walks for me on the trail. I felt fortunate to experience such beauty of the ridge line and enjoyed every bit of the difficult hike back down to the trees and safe harbor from the wind. Vermont had several big impressive climbs like Stratton, Bromley and Killington (all ski resorts). The Green Mountains are rolling beautifully rounded mountains with old forests, a soul and presence can be felt in those woods.   It was spooky quiet for several days and it felt as if the trees were watching you. The northern part of the state is abandoned farmland and the remnants of the roadways, rock walls and young forest re-establishing it self is evident in the white pines and maple groves. The tubing for harvesting maple syrup is strung throughout the trees. The state is one of two with less than a million residents and the people are very friendly and welcoming to all.   If I were to live anywhere in the North it would likely be Vermont for the skiing, people and remote feeling of nature. Massachusetts had Mt Everett with its steep rock climb and my stay with the Cushwa's at Camp Cushwa. My mom met Rhonda at a dog show and some how got on the topic of their children, which led to an invitation to allow me to stay at their home right at the base of Everett.   Camp Cushwa is a converted hotel that sits right next to a former trout fishery, a beautiful setting at the foot of the mountain and right on the lake. I met the entire family over the course of three days, shared invigorating conversation, ate excellent food prepared by Rhonda (an amazing cook), relaxed in my own private room and recuperated from the pains of walking every day from Georgia. A week or so later I climbed Mt Greylock and was reminded that mountains were coming in the months to come. New England has been amazing so far and the differing forest of conifers and deciduous forest has been an interesting change from the oak, hickory and hard woods in Virginia. Maine is two days or so away and then the final push to get to Katahdin will begin to round out this spectacular adventure.