Date: 2014-08-27
From: Ethan pond

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

In which I conquered my fears and got blown around.I got an early start this morning anticipating a long day. The descent to Crawford Notch was not as "flat" as the profile showed. There were a few more little ups and downs with plenty of rocks. Hobbit parted and headed to town. I then began a long ascent, thankfully with switchbacks, to Webster Cliffs. There were many, many rock climbs requiring hand over hand climbing up and I hadn't even hit the cliffs yet. It was pretty exhausting and stopping for many breaks and food was very helpful.I saw a garter snake slither across the trail on the way up. That was pretty unnerving seeing how we were at eye level. Once again I don't know who surprised who more. I was in and out of the trees heading up to the cliffs. The wind was also picking up and blowing rather strongly once above tree line. It was a challenge at time keeping my balance. The payoff again was another beautiful view down towards the Visitor's Center.I was very fearful of Webster Cliffs. I was told by those ahead of me that there was a 30' vertical climb. That was the good the part. The terrifying fact was that there was pretty much a sheer drop down the mountain if you slipped. They weren't kidding. I felt like a monkey climbing straight up. The good news was that it wasn't as intense as I expected. I was up that stretch before I knew it. I just kept looking at the next foot and hand hold and crept my way up. I'm so glad I got to climb up it. I don't know that I would want to scale down. Actually, I know I would not like that at all!I walked along the cliffs for half a mile before finally reaching the top, then up and down some more to Jackson Mtn. Once on the summit I ridge walked through upper mountain boggs, then of course more rocks. I arrived at Mizpah Hut around 1315. I was ready for a break. For some reason my left ankle is hurting today. I bought a bowl of mushroom soup for lunch and it was delicious. I ate it with my peanut butter bar and tuna. Then I got a bird bath in the bathroom. Bonus.I could lounge here all day but it was time to get moving. So onward to Lake of the Clouds Hut. That was an incredibly beautiful series of ridge walks, second behind Franconia Ridge. The view was totally amazing, constantly changing with glimpses of Mt. Washington looming in the distance and the views were just so wide open all afternoon. It was gorgeous and really cool to be getting closer to Mt. Washington the longer I walked. The ridge walk was breezy with I'm sure gusts up to 40 mph. I was getting blown around but the good thing was that my sweaty clothes were drying quickly. I didn't get cool until I stopped. Finally, I arrived at the Hut around 1730 and secured a work for stay here. Sweet! Therewas a great bunch here today...Cat, Lost Boy, Messy, Forget-Me-Not and 2 Southbounders.Forget-Me-Not went for a swim in the lake. So seeing how I've been wanting to do a lake swim I decided to go hop in. I striped down to the bare essentials and did just that! Finally! And let me just tell you it was cold! The water was so cold I didn't know whether to breath or hold my breath. I feel really refreshed though and no longer gross and grimey. The air temperature must have been in the 40s now, the clouds were rolling in and occluding any previous view. I had my rain gear on and was running back to the hut to change when I got intercepted by a women from Monclair, NJ and we chatted for a while.All in all it was a great night. We all sat around the table playing games, talking, laughing and having a great time. Not to mention either that we got to eat real food and they had the BEST chocolate cake. I don't even know how much of that I had. I was sooooooo good. Oh yeah, the pork roast, rice and tomato/garbanzo bean soup was fantastic too. I'm doing chores in the morning. I'm ready for bed but need to wait for the 9pm lights out before I can set up my bed on the dining room floor.The mountain is totally socked in clouds at this point. I'm told it's going to be a cold one tonight! What a great day!!!!