Date: 2009-08-03
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 9.0

With such a lousy day (the first real sucky one with Terri on the trail this adventure) behind us, we ultra-lingered this morning. Last night was so disheartening that for the first time I did not take the effort to fully close up my pack. As I reached for the Green Monster, three field mice evacuated the main compartment of my pack as I lifted it off the hook. The look of dismay was priceless. Two more were found in other places very soon. Nothing had gone much right yesterday afternoon/evening, and today did not appear to be much better. We did our best to dry things out and it was after eleven-thirty when we placed our boots back on across Eliza Brook and began the day in earnest. [Tmax here... I worried all morning about that crossing! The water level was high!!] The weather steadily improved, and even though we were taking our sweet time, our spirits lifted tremendously. Within three miles [Tmax here... yeah, 3 miles and lots of steep UP] South Kinsman was summitted, and even though the view (almost 360, give or take a few trees taller than us) was fine, on to North Kinsman we went. The sun was glorious atop this peak barely a mile from its brother. With sunny skies and a fabulous view of Franconia Notch before us, we did what we came out to do. Our things were spread all about and attempting to dry as TMax and I enjoyed hours of summit time, lunch, and vistas! A family of three joined us at one point, and while the father and daughter said they enjoyed their bushwhack, the son was not so peppy. They decided to take the regular trail back down. We stayed for a while more.   I know Terri was a little wary about using the 'work for stay' method at the AMC huts, but she was willing to give it at least one shot for my sake, knowing that this might be my one and only chance to stay at these somewhat pricey establishments. When we entered the hut, it was well after dinner, and the 'croo' said that it was no problem if we wanted to stay. There is no requirement on their part to allow this, but thru-hikers can often do jobs that the Croo might not want to perform or that will allow them some extra leisure time. After eating the leftovers (no meat left, but rice and veggies for us and bread and soup for my non-vegan stomach) TMax was put to work wiping the sugar/creamer containers and cleaning out the slop sink. I was asked to clean the grill. When I turned the heat up, I got a weird look, and after almost an hour later (TMax wondered if they thought I was slacking) the surface shined like it had not in many some times. Later, as we set our beds up on the tables, the croo gathered around the grill, obviously admiring my work. The only complaint that night was that in the future, it would be easier for others to notice when the cook of the day did not clean the grill as well. Sleeping on the tables was a little weird, but neither of us fell off, and we even borrowed a little hot water (there are no showers in the huts, and no sponge baths allowed (pack it in/ pack it out also)) and cleaned up. All in all the first experience was a pleasant one. ****All trip long, every night, if I was not ensconced in my tent, I zippered all my pack¢s zippers and closed everything that could be fastened. Except last night. Simply hanging your pack on a hook and flipping the cover over it is not enough. Reaching for my rucksack, three mice squirmed out of the gullet. Another raced out seconds later, and one more from the side pocket for good measure after that. Egad! I heard later that many thought the climb up South Kinsman was the most difficult by many. I enjoyed the hike and when we arrived at North Kinsman, we splayed out to dry all of our things and relaxed for hours with a grand view of Franconia Notch. What a wonderful day. The bushwhackers were also pleasant entertainment. There was some discussion on how much we would utilize the hut system in the Whites, and the decision to give Lonesome Lake a shot. The ¢croo¢ was very nice, and after my grill cleaning skills were put to use, I was well thanked. Sleeping on tables where others are was a little strange, but I managed to not fall off.