Date: 2014-08-18
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Hikers'Welcome Hostel (SOBO)
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

I signed up for breakfast, which was at 7 -- scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes. A group was headed to Kinsman Notch, and we had to wait for a few before driving around to the trailhead. I finally got started up the Beaver Brook Trail at 9:10. For the first mile and a half, the trail ran along a beautiful cascade and was quite steep, wet, and slippery. In several places, wood steps had been attached to the rock face, and in others, foot holds had been drilled. I kept stopping to take pictures -- and hoping the weather at the summit would clear. It had rained over night and was very overcast when I started.Malibu, Hot Sauce and two others passed me on their way down. A couple of day hikers, Lisa and John, caught up to me, and Lisa and I hiked together for a while. She grew up in NH and had hiked a lot in the Whites. John said he was new to hiking. I enjoyed talking with her, especially since there are few women on the trail over 30 (Lisa said she had just turned 49). She has her own business as a strategic planning management consultant. I stopped to talk with Tigger and Landslide, young women NOBOS who had slack packed up from Glencliff. They said it was cold, windy, and socked in at the summit. Also talked with The Fonz and his friend Firebird, who had a similar experience. I was in no hurry, because it looked like it might clear. At one point about .8 from the summit, it was actually visible, with wispy clouds blowing by. Energizer came by and said he had waited a couple of hours on top for views, and he was rewarded. I finally emerged above tree line about 1:15. It was cold and windy, and I had put on my down jacket with wind shirt over it, as well as gloves and the hood up over my hat. I did a crummy selfie at the summit sign, and then Lisa popped up over a rock she and John were behind for protection from the wind. We took each other's pictures, and she wanted one with me, which John took. I did one of them, and after I started down went back and told Lisa the address of my trail journal. She said she would write on the guest book.I headed down a bit after 2 and found Scrambles sitting on a rock in the last bit of shelter from the wind. He was headed up. I took his picture, and he asked me to sign his pack. He has been having hikers sign it as a way to remember them. He claims to be slow, so I may well see him again. After leaving the summit, the trail was steep and rocky for the first mile and a half. I chatted with Gadget and Princess Northstar, both headed up. Gadget is from NC, and said I'd really enjoy the southern part of the trail. Also talked with two women day-hikers and with St. Rick, a NOBO who lives in Australia.I did check the phone part way down (no service at the summit or on the way up) and answered messages from Lee and Leigh. Also sent them my summit pic. I used the wifi here at he hostel later to email Lee and check email, but I had to sit in the common room, where a group of guys was watching a dumb, misogynistic video, and I could only take so much of the constant F word.Finally got to the road about 6, after a couple of easy miles. Hard to believe I spent nearly 9 hours doing 9.3 miles. I did spend quite a bit of time talking with people, but I'll have to pick up the pace if I am to get through these mountains. Lots of people at the hostel. In the little area where I have my tent, three more sprouted up, one bivy very close. Oh well, he will have to put up with the noise of my air mattress.Since I missed the shuttle to the deli, I cooked half a pasta side and the tuna left from Saturday. At least I won't have to carry it! I am concerned that the food coming to Lincoln will make my pack awfully heavy.