Date: 2003-08-05
From: NH25/Glencliff

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

It was time. From the moment I woke up this morning, I knew the hardest climb so far was ahead of me today. And I was ready. I was anxious. I wanted to sleep in a bit today, but people started moving around at about 5 or 5:30 and it was fitful sleep from then until I got up at 7ish. I slowly started getting things together, changing into hiking clothes, gathering paperwork to be sent home, and packing up. Hotdog still wasn't feeling good, but I could tell his intentions were to hike today.Before we entered the woods at the trailhead, I asked if he was sure he wanted to do this. He said 'no' but that he'd hike for a couple of days and maybe go see a doctor then. I reminded him that he needs to be healthy to get to Katahdin, not just for a day or two. I had every intention of hiking today, whether Hotdog was or not, and throughout the day I wondered if I was right in thinking that. It is just so hard for me to take extra days off right now. I feel like I need to make progress each day. I won't rush, or push, but I want to continue north steadily. However, Hotdog and I have hiked together for most of this trip, and I'd like to summit Katahdin the same day as him. I was thinking that, even if he took a day or couple of days off to get better, we'd meet again before Katahdin, as I'm going to try to hook up with an aunt and uncle here in NH, and will be taking time off for the wedding anyway, in early Sept. Anyway, I didn't have to worry about it today, be! cause he headed up the hill.I didn't see him until the shelter here. On the way up, I stopped once to get water. I tend to have a hard time starting after a break, so I thought I'd just keep going. I came to a sign about 2-1/2 hrs after starting, and thought I was maybe half way to the summit. I found Swift Sandals and 2-Step taking a break right there. I hadn't seen Swift Sandals in a LONG time, and had never met 2-Step until today. I don't know if I was more shocked that I saw them, or that the sign said the summit was 0.8 from this point. I was so happy! That news rejuvenated me, and made me feel good! I talked to them for a bit, then decided I needed to go while I felt good.The trail to the summit from there was only a gradual climb, and that made me happy too. It was a hard climb up until then, and anything easier than that was a joy. I went above treeline for the first time, and it was very cool! It was, once again, foggy and cloudy, so I had no view above treeline, or at the summit. But the fog was cool too, as it would blow in quickly then clear out for a few seconds. Occasionally, I could see about 30yds very clearly, then the fog rolls back in. Sometimes, I couldn't even see the next rock cairn. I could tell it was wide open around me, as sounds seemed to float away, instead of hanging around. I wish I had a view up there, but what I saw was awesome anyway. And I felt so good for making it up to the summit, and for still feeling good, physically, after that. I was proud of myself!And I wasn't too upset that we decided to stay here for the night. I got here and started relaxing, took my shoes off to air out my soggy feet, and had lunch. Swift Sandal and 2-Step were here when I arrived, and after a while, Flowcefus, Drew and Desmond arrived. Then Hotdog came along, and shortly after, David, a SOBO came along. Flowcefus, Drew, Desmond, Sandals, and 2-Step headed out. Space Monkey, Spiderman, Snappy and Puff Puff arrived, and all decided to stay. Two more SOBOs have arrived, after the rain. I was more glad that we stayed here, once it started raining, because it poured! Lucky me, the roof leaked a few drops, and fell on ME! I'm sure it won't be as bad as at Cooper Lodge on Killington. At least, I'm hoping it won't.Space Monkey is playing guitar, and all o us thruhikers (amazing that all of us at the shelter are thruhikers! Of course, there are a bunch of kids from a camp here, tenting.) are just sitting around talking and joking around. It's very relaxing, and fun. I like joking around.Supposedly, from this shelter, there is an awesome view. I wouldn't know, as it's fogged/clouded in. Occasionally, there is a slight break, and I can see the shadow of mountains across the valley. I thought the mountains were pretty close, until the Air Force was doing some search and rescue training, and I saw A-10 Warthogs flying through the valley. They looked tiny! So, I decided the mountains were farther than I'd thought. It was very cool to watch them, for the 15 minutes that the clouds allowed. I can't believe they were flying around in this stuff! I guess they have to put their trust fully in the hands of their navigational instruments. They were flying down in the valley, then making huge banked climbs. It was very cool, despite being, supposedly, in the woods, away from the sounds of the real world.One of my toenails has been looking kinda strange lately, and I didn't know why. Now, I think I have a blister under the nail. It doesn't hurt, and isn't discolored, but it looked.... loose, or something. As long as there's no pain, I don't care what is wrong with it. Other than that, I don't have any major physical issues. My feet are sore at the end of the day, and have been wet about all day long because of rain, or just from walking through mud and puddles all day. My knees are sore most days, but nothing troublesome. I try to stretch my legs before hiking, or shortly after starting for the day, and often during the day after breaks, just to prevent muscle pulls. In the mornings, my ankles hurt for a bit, as they have for a couple of years now. It's a little worse now, but after a few minutes, they loosen up and don't bother me. I have some bites or something on my upper legs on the outsides. They don't itch or hurt, just look ugly. Maybe a bug spent a night ! or two biting me while I was sleeping. I dunno. Once again, if it doesn't bother my hiking, I don't care.I will be glad to be rid of bug bites, scratches and muscle aches once this trip is over. I will also enjoy waking up and not having to walk all day long, or hurry and do laundry. I will miss the trail though. I really love the woods, and the mountains. I know how important they are to my sanity, and after this trip, I'd like to spend more of my free time getting back into nature, whether it be on foot, via car, or kayak/canoe.I know I still have a long way to go to reach my goal. Some days, I just want to hike all day, just to get closer. Other days, like today, I was happy to stop at the shelter before 2pm. Right now, I think I will be happy doing 10-12 miles per day through the Whites. Tomorrow, I might change my mind, but I know I won't push too hard. The Big Goal is to reach Katahdin, no matter how long it takes.