Date: 2009-08-13
From: Madison Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: fog

Tmax here... Last night one of the SoBo's fell off the table while he was sleeping! It was so loud it even woke up Topfgothics who had his earplugs in. He reached over to make sure I was still on the bench next to him! After breakfast we headed up Mt. Madison. Topofgothics had already done this mountain a few years ago when he accompanied me on Flags on the 48. There were (you guessed it...) no views! When we dropped off the other side, some views opened up along the long ridge walk. I was moving quite slowly as I found it difficult to get any solid footing. But as usual, this wasn't a problem for Topofgothics who would sit, enjoy the views then catch up to me, then sit some more, etc... I was so happy when we dropped back below treeline and even though it was steep in places, it was still much better footing. We took a break at a tent platform for a hot lunch and it started to rain. I continued to lose energy and by the time we crossed the auto road (that heads up Mt. Washington) I had turned into a whiny 6 year old. As always, Topofgothics was tolerant and agreed to one more break before the final 2 mile push. I sucked down a packet of goo (pure sugar and caffeine) and drank the last of our water. I told Topofgothics I would fly out now and he just said "yeah, right." I took off and he stopped somewhere along the way to filter water. I never saw him again until I was sitting on the bench at Pinkham waiting for him. He handed me the bottle of water he filtered and said "you're drinking it all!" Gotta love goo!! We drove around to The WHite Birches Campground where our next food drop was and showered and did laundry. Tomorrow we head to M&M's (AT-2007)"hostel" where we'll zero and hang out before Topofgothics returns to the trail and I return to work.****Who said climbing up was harder than going down. Who said up or down was harder than walking flat. The trail from Madison to where it begins to descend can be tough on anybody. Uneven rocks that offer no room for a misstep can be a real bitch. I sat back and let TMax get ahead before catching up. I did not want her to feel any pressure at all, me having the billy goat gene and all. She did much better going down than traversing that tough section. The clouds did part during that time, and some views were gained. There was a start and a stop to the rain, but nothing worth considering, but you could sense the toll the last two weeks were taking on Terri. She was just starting to get her legs, and today was our last on trail together. I was all but ready to let her hitch a ride down the auto road, when she came across some renewed vigor. Gu, a thick energy gel! While I stopped to pump some water I felt she desperately needed, she went ahead and before I knew it Topo and I arrived at Pinkham notch two miles later to find her sitting on a bench. I had just carried that extra pound plus for nothing. Ugh. I went to make a phone call, scoring more TM while I was at it, and we were on our way to pick up a drop at the White Birches and grab a cabin. I was a bit miffed when the proprietor would not agree to allow me to repack the box and leave it there for a few days. I would not be staying there then was her explanation. Instead of spending $17 twice, we were spending over $50 once, but that did not matter to her. I was not happy. After an uncomfortable night, Terri was not happy with her either. Don¢t think I will be going there again anytime soon. Even on a lousy mattress, having her in my arms was well worth it.