Date: 2015-08-22
From: Hexacube Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up today and attempted to eat a Knorrs Spanish Rice that I experimented on, hydrating it with cold water. It stayed pretty crunchy for dinner so I saved it for the morning.It sat all night in my food bag and tasted like barf when I tried in the morning. I choked it down so I wouldnt have to carry it. Tedzilla saw this and offered me an oatmeal. He was looking just a little too amused so I told him no-this is great. Thanks. My no stove experiment is an EPIC FAIL! I am not Jeremiah Johnson.The college kids were still blissfully enjoying their youthful non-snoring sleep, as the young do. I envy their ability to sleep through anything. We hiked out, destination Hikers Welcome Hostel for a one day resupply and possibly a bunk. We had supplied for 3 days out of Hanover and that would have been enough to get over Moosealauke if we hadn't taken that extremely short day when it was brutally hot. The hike took us first over Mt. Cube. We had about a 900 foot elevation gain over 1.4 miles. It was steep in places, but a very pretty climb. At the summit, I could see the mountains behind me framed by a brilliant blue sky. It was so clean and crisp and exactly like stepping into a postcard. I took my pack off and enjoyed the view for a while. Views are a treat. It never fails to amaze me to look back on mountains I just climbed. I did that-I say to myself.Coming off the mountain was mostly smooth, a few rocky areas to contend with at the top. Big rock races, but my boots were grippy. We came to a road crossing and sat down for a snack. A couple of hikers I met on day 3 or 4 of this hike, back in Georgia, showed up-Moonbow and Lightning Bug. I was really excited to see them! You meet so many people on this trail and it is hard to remember everyone, but I knew these two right away. They were so happy and spoke with me and Katwalk, sharing their enthusiasm. Sometimes people have a glow around them, a natural charisma, and both of these women have that in a big way. They plan to summit Moosalauke and then call this adventure done for now, as they head off to exciting new adventures.As we all sat there, a pick up truck pulled up. A happy guy shouted out the window-"Hey! Is it too early for beer?" 7 enthusiastic hikers shouted back in unison "NO!" Then he said "Do you know of any hikers that would like a beer?' 7 hikers shouted "YES!" Then he laughed and got out of his truck and passed around a beer-like drink called Coors Light. It was cold and refreshing, and ...it's whats for breakfast!Other hikers came through and it seemed apparent we were all headed for Hikers Hostel 10 more miles ahead. We all hiked out and I did my best to hike fast and not get passed, but one by one, they passed me. I am faster than I used to be but I can't keep up with the twenty somethings. I have lost nearly 40 pounds but I still have this awful cellulite on my legs-on top of some pretty impressive muscles. IT'S SO UNFAIR!!!(rant over) Yeah, next time i want to lose fat I will NOT hike over two thousand miles. I will get lipo-suction. (not really- but I can fantasize about the magical wand sucking out all of my leg fat-easy peasy!)Our hike was relatively easy for the rest of the afternoon. The last climb was Mt. Mist. On the way up, I sat down for a break and a young woman named Figgy came by with her friend. They were NOBO thru hikers, but slacking south for Figgys birthday and handing tiny bottles of liquor. I chose fruit loop flavored vodka, because it sounded weird. Figgy was so happy, and the group of us sang her the birthday song. Then they told us there was trail magic in the form of Sloppy Joes and fresh fruit and veggies at teh next road crossing 3 miles ahead. That got our butts in gear! It was already 3pm so I didnt have high hopes that they would still be there. I prctically ran up the rest of Mt. Mist. At the top there was a side trail to a beautiful view. I hesitated...sloppy joe-view....sloppy joe-view...I shamefully started my half jog down that mountain for the sloppy joe- Sorry View! There will be more of you!!!I could hear the road long before I got too it, and when I did get there- there were just a few sloppy Joes left. I sat in a chair and happily ate one, with some garden grown tomatoes and coleslaw. The trail angels were longtime hikers and trail folk supporters, a couple with the trailnames Dutch Tape and Cabana Boy. They were so generous and kind- and knowledgable about the trail.Dutch Tape offered to give me and C.Shell a ride to the store for our resupply and we took her up on it. First, the car had to be jumped because the back was left open all day. A nice Mom/daughter team on the way to a Doobie Brothers and Greg Allman concert stopped to help us out.Finally back on the trail, we skipped the hostel and hiked out to Jeffers Brook Shelter, at the base of Mt. Moosilauke, which I have been spelling wrong for weeks. We camped on a ledge next to a creek and the white noise helped me sleep like a baby for a few hours. Tomorrow is a big day! Everyone is slack packing this mountin southbound, shuttling up from the hostel. We decided to do it NOBO with our packs. Grrrrr. Bring it on baby!