Date: 2014-09-08
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut, Mile 1851.1

To: Joe Dodge Lodge, Pinkham Notch, Mile 1865.9
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

We had a relatively long day today to make it to Joe Dodge Lodge in time for dinner, so Swede and I were up and packed before breakfast began at 7:00 so we could hit the trail immediately after eating. An apparent tradition at the huts is for the crew to make up skits to remind us of three things in a humorous manner: take out all your trash, fold the blankets on your bunk once lengthwise then twice, and tip the crew. The skit tonight was totally different from the one at Galehead, so I don't know how much coordination they do. I suspect they have a list of different skits that have been made up over the years. Looking back at Lakes of the Clouds HutThe first task was a 1.3 mile climb up to the top of Mount Washington. I was a little disappointed when we got to the top, because the exact peak in surrounded by buildings and antennas which spoil the view a bit. What was nice is that there were just a few other hikers there, and I've heard it can get very crowded. The peak is serviced by both an auto road and a cog railroad train, which apparently weren't open yet. On Top of Mt. Washington!We didn't stay long, and started down the trail. As soon as we got below the buildings, the view is awesome looking down the ridge at Mounts Jefferson, Adams and Madison, where it stays mostly in the open until after descending a ways from Mt Madison over 6 miles away. Consistent great views! Consistent rock hopping! Tired feet and knees! Heading to Mt. Jefferson, Adams and Madison Mt. Washington in the Rear View Mirror!The AT goes around Mt Jefferson and Mt Adams, bypassing the peaks a little bit. Since Swede had to slow down to stay with me and since he had never hiked over those two peaks, he elected to take the trails over the tops of the peaks. I felt very good about giving him the opportunity to hike at his faster pace plus bag a couple of peaks he hadn't done before. We decided to meet at Madison Spring Hut between Mt Adams and Mt Madison. Of course, since Swede had to hike further than I as well as doing more altitude gain and loss, he still got to the hut ahead of me! :-) Hiking Along! Madison Hut and Mt. MadisonThere were only two crew at Madison Spring Hut when we got there - Emily and Ethan. We chatted with them while we ate our lunches from our packs. Emily is a Nurse Practitioner who fell in love with the Whites a year or so ago, and is using all her vacation time to serve as a fall hut crew member. Ethan has a degree in political science but has served as a cook at several places the past couple of years. He's figuring out where he wants to/can serve to help solve/alleviate some of our world's people problems. Madison Hut Crew Emily and EthanMy feet and knees were really hurting when I got to the hut, but the break revived me and the climb up Mt Madison went fine. I'd heard the climb down was very difficult, but it turned out to be a different kind of difficulty than I had imagined. I imagined hard hand climbing down sections of steep cliffs, but that was not it. The difficulty was putting up with two and a half miles of constant downhill rock hopping which you think will never end. Torture for my feet and knees! Plus, it was starting to look tight for getting to Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch in time for dinner at 6:00! Up Mt. Madison! Down Mt. Madison! (and up and down and...)Fortunately, the last four and a half miles were less intense, with some sections when I could stretch out my stride and make good time. We actually got to the lodge about 5:15, in time to check in and get a shower before going to another great dinner with the other guests. Since Joe Dodge Lodge is on the road going thru the notch, it is a popular place for people to stay and use as either a base for day hikes or a starting/finishing point for section hikes. We met some more neat folks at dinner, including a couple from near Bear Mountain in New York.Swede and I shared a room with two sets of bunks but no other guests. This is our last night together as he will be taking the shuttle back to his truck after breakfast in the morning. It's been a tough but awesome four days together, plus the two days before my break, and I can't express how much I appreciate him being with me as companion and guide plus shuttle driver and "B&B" host along with Nancy.Thanks Swede and Nancy!