Date: 2017-07-16
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Carter Dome
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

7/16Carter Dome tentsite7.1 milesI woke up still tired and aching all over. Madison really did a number on me yesterday. I packed up all my gear and went to the picnic table to eat with the others. I asked tentatively "Did you hear somebody having sex last night?" And the table erupted. Yes, everybody heard it. Apparently it happened twice but only woke me up once. We critiqued their performance (unimpressive) and considered clapping as they left, but refrained. I was pretty excited to do new AT miles today. Once we got past the pond, everything was fresh to me. And it will be for 90 miles or so!Wildcat E was as hard as advertised. At one point I had to press myself up a crevice in a strength move using only my arms. I scrabbled to get purchase with my feet, slipping as they failed to grip the wet rock. Safari stayed with me while I did it. When I made it through, I was shaking from fatigue and reaction. I have no idea why maintainers haven't added rebar or steps to that crevice. The morning dragged on, as I forced legs that had started out tired to carry me up the mountain. My emotions were out of control. I was, in turn, sad, anxious, angry, depressed, resigned, confident, and calm. It was a real roller coaster in my head. At the worst I started crying, then had to stop and calm myself because I needed my airways clear for breathing. On peak D there was a picnic table next to the gondola station. I joined the others and put my head down on my arms. A nap would have been nice. Past the gondola Wildcat got a lot easier and less technical. Surprisingly, the last descent was entirely covered in really nice rock stairs. I sure wasn't expecting that! It made the last mile to the hut a pleasure. I also met Wild Child on that leg. She is also a repeat offender - AT 2014. We talked a bit about other trails we wanted to do. I liked her. Maybe I'll get lucky and see her again on my sobo section. Arriving at the hut, I found Safari staying for a work for stay, and Boss and Goddess heading out for a campsite a quarter mile away. I elected to camp as well. I grabbed some water and we headed back to the trail. The promised campsite did not materialize. We were forced to hike on to Carter Dome. Concerningly, the spring listed on the map was not in evidence either. I'll have to economize on water until we get to Imp campsite tomorrow. I had about 2.5 liters left when I got to camp. It's supposed to rain tomorrow so I hope to find seasonal water flowing. I found some today or I'd have been hurting coming down from Wildcat A. We set up our tents in a tiny stealth spot inside the tree line. I was enjoying my sleeping pad after the long day, but then it suddenly deflated. I had managed to puncture it with my trowel. Argh! I pulled out my repair kit and put a patch on it. The kit didn't have instructions so I had to wing it. I let it dry for about half an hour. It seems to be holding air. I guess I'll find out later tonight if my butt ends up on the ground. If terrain permits, I would really like to get to Rattle River tomorrow. That would leave us an easy two miles to the road the next day, with almost a whole day off. I really want that.