Date: 2016-08-27
From: Pinkham Notch - NH 16 - Mile 1,869.7

To: Mt. Washington Summit - Mile 1.856.2
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

The alarm woke me up at 4:15 a.m.. This was it but would I be able to hike the final 13.5 miles to Mt. Washington's summit early enough in order for Beth to greet me there and drive us down the mountain road before it closes - and even more importantly, drive us home to stay. I knew I should be able to do it, but Suds and I often said how we had lost confidence in the trail in the sense that you didn't know what was confronting us around the next turn. Tom, Debbie, Doug & Eileen - get ready. I'm coming home. I say this because here comes an analogy or two - and they often ridicule me for them when they make sense only to me. Guess my mind is transitioning to life after the trail because the analogies came early today. Beth asked me if she thought I'd be filled with memories like I was yesterday. I told her I envisioned me being Dorothy from the Wizard Of Oz, only that I'd be hiking feverishly instead of Dorothy riding that bike.I started hiking in the dark. Headlamp was on, just like a time or two with Subman and Suds. The trail was easy to follow initially and I was happy to see that I'd gone more than 2 miles as the day's light surrounded me. I passed a trail junction and made the needed turn. Less that 15 minutes later after descending terrain I didn't want to repeat by climbing back, I wondered if I'd made the correct turn. Subman - where are you, I need you now. I kept hiking as fast as I could since I was committed to this direction and this path. Not a single white blaze. It didn't feel good. A stream came - a pretty stream. I took a photo of it and hoped it was the stream as should exist according to the AWOL Guide. A little while later, a northbound hiker named Cheeks came and I asked her what trail we were on. "The AT - and yeah, I haven't seen a blaze in a while." Those words were sweet to hear. Better yet was the Suspension Bridge before me. Took a picture of that too. I was navigating the trail correctly. By now, I was thinking seriously about today's hike and would I be successful. I thought about the Ali-Frazier fights. I won the first bout with Mt. Washington's summit when I successfully hiked there that began as a long day below Webster Cliffs. I was knocked out early in the second bout when I turned around after starting to hike north from the summit. I stopped that hike minutes after it began because I couldn't see the trail due to walking in a cloud; my glasses were so covered in moisture that they were more a hindrance than a help - and I can't see very well without them. Today was the rematch - Ali won it and I badly wanted to win it too. I wanted this day to be a joyful end and I didn't want Beth to worry if I failed to show up. The climbs were significant but I periodically pushed myself to hike faster, trying to increase the likelihood of me being successful today. The trail provided a view. I mean I had a VIEW! Was that really it on my left? Yup, Mt. Washington's summit was visible, incredibly there with just a small cloud in the sky. After losing that second bout, I just wanted to be able to see the trail today. I wanted a chance to be successful today and it looked like I was getting it. A hiker by the name of Old Timer passed me and said I was going to have a great summit today because the weather was clear. Wild Bill, Peanut, and Red & Crash all asked about my hike as we passed each other. They were absolutely thrilled to hear that I'd be finishing today at Mt. Washington's summit. They were so happy for me and I briefly told them about Maine's coming beauty that soon would be their experience. And then I hiked above the tree line and saw clear blue skies - everywhere. Subman called it an "11" on a scale of 1 - 10, to describe the perfect weather we had at Clingmans Dome. It seemed that I was getting a similar day today, my last day on the trail. What a gift! The trail became filled with boulders on the climb up Mt. Madison. I was taking photos and taking in the views. I checked my time and had access so I sent Beth a message saying I might reach the summit early and that I could clearly see the summit. I was feeling like a winner - for today and this whole hike. Climbing the boulders slowed me down. I reached the summit of Mt. Madison. Nope, it was a false summit and I was then able to see the real summit above me. Nope, after I got there I saw more false summits ahead of me along with the summit that really was the Mt. Madison's summit. It requires more climbing than I expected. By the time I got there, I was behind my desired timeline for today's hike. If this time span was needed for the next 6 miles then I would not make it in time. I stil had access and sent Beth another message saying our original time was to be expected (I hoped. I didn't tell her about my concern.)The sun had all the boulders bone dry and made for good traction. Mark's post yesterday said "No more falls!" and yet I knew my desired 3 points of contact would take too much time so I tried the rock hopping that most good hikers use. Stay high and move from one rock to another. Give up the practice of anchoring a pole before moving a foot to another boulder. It wasn't easy for me because I feared falling on the jagged rocks, but I did it anyway and for the most part got away with it. Occasionally there was the just-in-time planting of a pole to steady myself. That one pole placement that had the pole go deeply into a crevice was momentarily hair-raising as I was headed down until the pole finally found a stopping point and stopped my impending fall. I was determined to win today's bout. The trail consisted of boulders but they were uncharacteristically flat and smooth. I could actually hike with full strides. I made up the time and then some. I was relieved. And I then relaxed. The trail wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was already passed Mt. Madison. The climbs ahead were less than the climbs behind me. Hikers who slowed to speak with me were extending their hands to congratulate me. Finishing was still ahead of me but it was increasingly in my reach. While monitoring my pace, I decided to enjoy this the rest of the way. There were only 5 miles left. Time to take in the views that were made available by today's sunny weather. My pace was fine and I no longer needed to take any chances as I hiked. I realized I just couldn't stop to enjoy this. But I could stop and take photos whenever I wanted. I took photos close to each of the the last 5 miles of my hike. Mt. Washington's summit and the end of my AT hike were coming closer and closer. I thought of the remaining time to hike today. It all felt so good. And it was such a gift. Had the weather been as it normally is, it would've been a very different day. But this was my hike's ending day. It wasn't of my choosing. It was like the trail that has to be dealt with, whatever it is. I was lucky and knew it. A passer by said he'd come from the summit and that someone told him they get a day like this once or twice a year. A clear view, sunny but not hot, wind that was less than 10 miles per hour. I took a few hours to finish. I suspect I could be accused of lingering a bit. I noticed the cliff-like fall opportunity a mile from the summit and shuttered to think what could've happened if I had tried to hike through the horrible weather when I lost the second fight and turned around, feeling very disappointed but feeling like I really had no choice that day.My head popped up and over a boulder and I saw Beth there, perking up to see me. There was a tear in my eye. She told me to pause for a photo before I got my hug. We finished and stood in line to get a few pictures at the Mt. Washington summit sign. I warned everyone in line that I wanted a picture of us kissing. And then I asked the photographer if he couldn't take another photo after the first one. I almost felt giddy. Beth was smiling. I'd be heading home tonight - to stay. Spirit of 76 and I exchanged a message as she thought I'd be finishing my homework assignment today. We took pictures from the summit and were walking to get a little food when Brother Raccoon called out congratulations to me. It was a nice surprise and we wished each other well as we grabbed a quick picture together. I was tired on the way home. I normally am active and uploading photos or writing my journal as Beth drives. Not this drive. I fell asleep, woke up briefly, and fell asleep again. Beth did what she's done this whole time - she kept me going and getting me to where I next needed to be.Tonight's destination was home. Where I now need to be. Such a gift. I am so happy.