Date: 2003-08-10
From: Madison Springs Hut (4820') 

To: Pinkham Notch Camp Visitor Center (2040') 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Aloha! I LOVE THIS STUFF!...most days. There are some days though that I just get frustrated and/or irritated. Today was one of those days.   After yesterday's drenching rain I had hoped for a better weather today. That was asking for too much obviously. It poured through the night and into the morning. And I mean poured! We didn't leave in a driving rain but it was raining nonetheless. Rain with clouds moving in and out continually. You can guess how much fun we were having.   Gutsy left before breakfast so I never did catch with her. (It wasn't until later at our meeting spot that I found out why we couldn't catch her.) Old Corpus and I left pretty close to the same time and stayed together through it all. During that time he fell a couple of times and I once. My once was good enough to make my right leg look like it's gone through a meat grinder. Nothing major, just grazing streaks from knee to shin down the side. Such fun. You gotta love wet slippery sharp rocks over ridges in the rain and clouds! Thank you Mt Madison...grrr! I never really thought I'd think this once I began hiking above-tree line but damn was I happy to get below it.   Just when we thought the going was about to get easier we came to the Parapet Brook (2450'). Brook? What brook? With the rain of last night the Parapet Brook had become a raging river! We could see the white blazes directly ahead on the other side of the river; what we couldn't see was a way across them. After bouncing back and forth for a while we finally settled on hiking UP stream to where a tree trunk lay completely across the raging river. It was also a wider spot allowing for slightly less rage. With all belts unhooked, we both made it across with the help of the tree. From there it ended up being a bushwhack back to the trail. Hassle or not, it really was quite the thrill. Another little adrenaline rush. You really do have to love the diversity out here. If not... you need to go home. {g}   Shortly after the Parapet Brook was the west branch of the Peabody River (2300'). Luckily this one included a suspension bridge. That made us happy. Looking down on this "river" we knew we would have had a bitter battle on our hands crossing it. As we about to walk the bridge locals standing in the area were discussing how surprising it was to see this babbling stream roaring. I kept thinking, "They're going to be really surprised in 100 yards".   The rest of the hike consisted of one deep or muddy or sloshing stream after another. By the time we rolled into Pinkham Notch we were dead tired. I felt as if I had been through a meat grinder and then a wringer. Pinkham Notch Visitor Center was heaven. They had a bench!   Upon our arrival we found Gutsy rested and looking refreshed. When asked how long she had been waiting she replied with "a couple of hours". Huh? It turns out that not long before the roaring river she had had enough. She had fallen numerous times and was scratched and scarred on both legs and arms. By the time she reached the Osgood Trail shortly before the river she had decided to take a blue blaze (non-AT trail) out to the visitor center. It was only a mile shorter but the terrain was less demanding. It was the best decision for her at that time. Sometimes that's what it takes to keep hiking - the wisdom to know when to stop.   With everyone's spirits in the dumpster it took but a moment to accept Old Corpus's offer for a ride to Gorham with a hotel stay. Old Corpus has been shuttling his truck from Texas since he began this journey. A rolling bounce box if you will. A nice way to go if you have the time, energy and money for the hassles of getting to and from shuttle spots. Anyway, we jumped at the chance and climbed in.   Our first stop was to the Hiker's Paradise where we were totally unimpressed with the owner and the establishment. With few words between us we were out the door and headed to the Northern Peaks Hotel (recommended by two south bounders). A wise decision for sure.   Since our arrival we've showered, done the laundry and stuffed our faces. It's been a very long day and we deserve this. Or at least I feel we do. We're not out of the Whites officially until we actually walk another 18 or so miles arriving back in Gorham but we're close. Close enough to deserve a night of self-pampering. We'll be back here in a couple of days and will have deserved that stay too. For that I have no doubts.   Alrighty then, my chin has rested heavily on my chest for the majority of this writing so it's time to close it down. We're headed back to the trail tomorrow morning after breakfast so I do need to get some actual sleep. This bed is going to make that very easy to accomplish. So for now, I'll say good night and we'll chat again tomorrow... from our tent.   Wait! One last note - a very big Happy Birthday wish to probably my oldest and dearest friend Priscilla. I do hope this day was made extra special for you. Here's to you and log cabins!BSandTs: blood down the leg, too cold for sweat, tears ain't happeningAandPs: already told about the leg, knees need a breakMandGs: too many to even mention right now. None worth it either.Critter count: be real!