Date: 2005-08-30
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 0.0

30 August, 2005Madison Hutfrom Lake of the Clouds Hut(7 miles) Seven miles! That's all? Oh yes, seven whopping, rocky miles over Mount Washington, several other lesser Presidentials and to the warm and dry Madison Hut. So nice and friendly here; the Croo welcomed us into the warmth and [bonus] do some work-for-stay. This was so over the top and we, being easily flattered and rather tired with our long miles; eagerly accepted the offer. So, another snazzy establishment to cozy into other than our tangerine orange gypsy-tent (nice as that is.)    Word on the trail was that Madison Croo is the coldest, most unsympathizing Croo in the Whites. Not so! May I slip my deepest appreciation and warmest Kudos for this awesome Croo into the pages of my journal. Not only do they hike their supplies further than any other Hut, they have to make the most vertical gain as well. Crazy, great people.   Washington today! I called my Mom from the weather station at the top and we were able to chat and gossip a bit. Touk and I then ran out to the Web camera and goofed off for about 10 minutes, not knowing exactly when it would take a picture. Mouth came out and then Easty and joined our crazy posing. Did the picture take? None of us know, but it sure was fun! Also so neat to feel so close to home (via internet.)    We've all felt a little homesick today. Mt. Washington is a very large mile marker and then; well, we just continue to hike. In a way, I think we've all subconciously been thinking of another summit and our subsequent post-trail lives.    Clouds blew up and over the mountains. They provided frames to see the mountains against, off and on that is. One of the summit buildings had heavy chains over it, pegging it onto the mountain in case of crazy winds. Crazy winds have graced Mt. Washington before. In fact, the weather station on the summit has recorded the highest wind speed EVER (yes, that's the whole world) at about 255mph. or something close according to my polka dotted memory. All sorts of historic things were learned in our leisurely second-breakfast break (a long tradition of Team Group Squad, though rarely so educational.) Darby Field was the first man to record climbing the mountain in 1642. Supposively, it was seen from the Atlantic ocean as early as 1605. All this is very impressive to me. I tend to love old things and odd facts. Mouth and Touk found this wall of memorial plaques, remembering those who have died in the Presidentials and when and how. Absolutely macabr© and fascinating hiking conversation.   I'm weary of these twisty, turny rocks and the phantom dreams that I'm back in Pennsylvania ...Aauurrghh!!! Tink, Touk and Cuppa, Cap'n Bacardi, LongHaul... They're all complaining about sore knees, feet, belly buttons, etc... Eight miles tomorrow; Huzzah!!! Anyhoo, Mouth and I just had a brainstorming over how far we need to be going. There are a few summit dates bouncing around in our minds but we'll see. I'm torn between the desire to get into my clothes at home and sit a spell, drinking tea out of a mug and the lingering delight of simply being on the trail. For those following our journey, it looks like we'll be finishing up in the end of September. There's a little space of time when we might go to Tink's house or spend some time with Dingle and then the ALDHA Hiker Gathering, Oct.7-9th. Then, finally, Home! Yay!    As you can see, my thoughts are scattered.