Date: 2003-08-11
From: Gorham, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 441.6
Weather: broken clouds

Hey all, I'm in town again and resting up today. Gothere yesterday around 1300. Since there are severalmore people reading this, let me repeat: if you don'thave the time (or inclination) to read this, let meknow and I'll remove you from my mailing list. Far beif from me to clutter someone's inbox.First of all, the vital statistics:I've walked ~440 miles so far, with a little over 1720miles left. Been on the trail for 48 days, of which 3have been zeros (no progress days, like today). Eaten2 Ben&Jerry's pints and 1 B&J sundae.What else have I done?1. Conquered the White Mountains. Transiting fromGorham to Glencliff took 11 days over some of the mostdifficult terrain on the AT. Over 10 miles of abovetreeline hiking. Regular changes of 2000+ footelevation.2. Stopped at Glencliff (no Internet there) forresupply and laundry.3. Traveled to Hanover in some of the hottest andmost humid weather I've encountered. The terrain haschanged, but the hiking is just as difficult. Thehumidity almost stops me in my tracks.Questions and observations:1. I've got to reduce pack weight. I regularly leavetown with 50 lbs on my back. I'd like to get to 40lbs. Got to reduce the amount of food that I carry (the biggest weight source). Also evaluating a newstove, water purification system, and sleeping bag. Most NOBOs carry 35 lbs or less. If I plan to finish,I've got to be in the same league.2. Terrain is more civilized since I left the Whites. I've walked through pastures and over stone walls. Even saw an old foundation, probably for a barn. Thetrail is easier too, less roots and rocks, more dirtand flatter.3. When will the weather break? Got to get out ofthe cycle of humidity and thunderstorms. Nothingdries, always drenched in sweat, glasses fogged,everything wet, hiking no fun.4. Got a trail name awarded to me by 4 northbounders(NOBOs). No, it's not "Little Man." I'm now"Goggles" for these things on my nose that I can't seeout of.5. It's time to pick up the pace. I averaged lessthan 10 miles a day through ME and NH. I need to beup to 15+ a day. A light pack will help. I'llreevaluate my mail drop schedule when I get back home.6. Coming off the trail when I reach MA to go homeand take care of business/mail/etc. Should be able toemail pictures then. Expect to be off for 3-4 days.7. Saw a moose the day before yesterday. He was justeating and watching us watch him. Of course I ran outof film. Also saw a bear while hitching to the Mt.Cube Sugar Farm (where I stayed in their barn). BTW,the way to scare off a bear is to bark like a dog.8. No more mice encounters, haven't seen a roacheither.9. I never build a campfire. The last thing I wantto do is rustle up firewood after hiking all day. Icarry a white gas (Coleman fuel) stove for cooking. Don't carry marshmallows either.10. To Ed and Roger: miss you guys out here. Washiking with Moose Meister and Jeff, but they dropped.Also hiked with Kevin and Joe, but haven't seen themsince Galehead Hut. Might hike out tomorrow with ZigZag (a flip-flopper), but I think he keeps a fastpace. Clearwater left today, I'll never catch him. Won't catch Master Harold and Maude either (too bad). Ed, you'd better have good-gripping shoes for theWhites.11. Brian, thanks for the pic. My boat seems so faraway. Say hello to Patty and everyone else at SLC-41(also seems very far away).Enough for now, got to go to the PO and grocery store. Have a good time (I am). DP