Date: 2015-07-30
From: Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Green Mountain House was probably my favorite hostel stay of this hike. The hostel has everything a hiker needs and it certainly didn't hurt that we had a really fun group of people. Aside from the seven of us who have been hiking somewhat together the last few days, there were also two sisters, Briar and Nettle, who are hoping to finish in 4 months. I bet they'll do it. There was another woman staying as well, Jake, who joined us for dinner but kept to herself most of the time. She is recovering from some sort of injury.This morning brought more good food: kale and mushroom omelettes with panzanella, again cooked by Adios. I couldn't even finish mine, but Jeff happily did so for me. It definitely is a much better start of the day than a cliff bar, and I like cliff bars.I was in the 8 am shuttle with Outro and the sisters and I started back on the trail around 8:30. We had an easy day planned, so we'd end up at non-pay shelter (some of the shelters and tent areas here are fee based) and at the gorge tomorrow. The day started out hot and sunny but it was again really hazy when we got to the top of Bromley. There is a ski lift there and it looks like a space ship when you crest the summit. I could not resist the urge to yell 'piiiiigs in spaaaaaaace!' but fortunately only Outro and the sisters were there to hear it. There are 360 degree views but again they weren't optimal due to the haze. I still took pictures and we also took a couple of group shots of the four of us. I have been pretty bad about taking pictures of people during this hike, and have resolved to be better about that in the last three states (apologies if I already mentioned that).I didn't stay at the top long as I wasn't ready for lunch yet, and set out for the next peak, which was Styles Peak. Another hazy view. I decided to have lunch at the next shelter, three miles down the trail and that turned to be a fortuitous decision. As I was hiking, the sky was getting more and more cloudy and a vague rumbling could be heard not too far off. I wasn't too worried but I did hope to be at the shelter before any real weather started. About 20 minutes before I got there, it started raining but it wasn't bad and the canopy caught most of it. The rumbling was getting closer though and you could tell it was a matter of time before the skies would open. I picked up the pace a bit and made it with about ten minutes to spare. Outro, Briar and Nettle were all there and ten minutes after the real rain started, Southpaw (who had been on the later shuttle) made it in as well.We spent about two hours waiting out the rain, eating lunch and chatting. I even made hot chocolate when I got a little chilled. At some point the sisters couldn't take it anymore and left in the rain. They still had 15 miles in their plan, but we had only 4.6 so we bided our time. When the rain seemed to have stopped, we made a dash for it, but sadly it started again within minutes of leaving the shelter. It wasn't as bad as before though, and didn't last long. And then the sun came out again! It was an odd weather day.About 2 miles before the final shelter, we climbed Baker Peak, which involved walking on smooth rock surface. I was very happy not to be doing that in the rain and/or barefoot, like Nettle must have done. Yep, she hikes 20-25 miles daily, barefoot. Definitely not for me!The shelter was not much further and Southpaw and Outro were setting up when I got here. I quickly found a level enough spot and did the same and after the others arrived, we all ended up having dinner in front of Southpaw's tent. It was very fun and I think I said 'this goes in the journal tonight' more than once but of course now I can't remember what witticisms were all supposed to go in the journal. The thunderstorm really changed the weather. The sky is clear now and it was getting chilly sitting outside. I am writing this in my tent, as usual, wearing my puffy, which is not as common. This will probably mean it will be hard to get out of the sleeping bag tomorrow!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?