Date: 2016-07-29
From: Stealth Camping Site near North Jacobs Creek 

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Jul 29, 2016 - I slept for literally 12 hours last night and woke up incredibly refreshed. My nose and throat were still a little stuffy, but the rest of me felt very good. It's a good thing, too, because today I entered the White Mountains that I've heard so much about.It's pretty common knowledge that the Whites are undoubtedly the toughest hiking on trail, but, honestly, I was looking forward to them. They may be challenging, but, supposedly, their beauty is just as unsurpassed. Peach and I trekked over the final mile of Mt. Cube. The summit provided us with our first glimpse of the Whites in Mt. Moosilauke at 4,802 feet. It definitely did look imposing against its blue and white background. Ten miles into my hike, I caught a hitch with Peach to the Green House Restaurant for the Moosilauke Monster pizza challenge - a fully loaded 30 inch pizza for two people that needed to be eaten in 90 minutes or less. Despite my failed attempt at the Godzilla, a pizza challenge for me is all but certainty. The Green House restaurant was closed! Throughly disappointed, I we hitched back the other way along the same road and settled for Moose Scoops ice cream in the small town of Warren, NH. Oddly enough, we also got to see a 73 foot tall missile randomly erected in the middle of town. We hitched back to trail and were treated to home grown shiitake mushrooms from our chauffeur. Fully satisfied in the belly area, I continued hiking and summited Mt. Mist where I again gazed on the beast that is Moosilauke. After I walked down the north side of Mt. Mist, I had a 4 mile ascent to the summit of Moosilauke. I did get some fuel in the form of Trail Magic, though, at the road crossing just before the ascent. Three oatmeal pies and a Mountain Dew can do quite a bit for you. The 4 mile ascent consisted of 3 miles straight up and 1 gradual mile along a saddle to the summit. I saw my first moose on that gradual mile, but really wish I hadn't. Apparently, this moose had a disease that caused it to walk above the tree line and stay there. Well, this moose has been up there for close to 3 weeks slowly starving to death. The moose was completely emaciated and just looked confused as it stood stupidly in the same spot. Another hiker behind me reported it was laying down when he walked past. It was incredibly sad and its a real pity someone won't shoot it and put it out of its misery. The only reason it hasn't been shot is because whoever does it is legally responsible for removing the body. Anyway, the 360 degree panoramic view at the summit of Moosilauke is tough to describe unless you see it for yourself. To the north, the mighty White Mountains stand resolute while to the south, the ridge line faded until it was lost to sight. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the visibility was outstanding. My sweat soaked shirt is the reason I ultimately had to hike down to the Beaver Brook Shelter - it was quite cold with the wind blowing. A fire had already been started by some Sobos so I was able to cook some dinner, but the tenting situation was less pleasing. I ended up pitching on a double incline so that I constantly slid to one corner of my tent, which made it very difficult to sleep. However, I could find some solace in my 23 mile day and the fact that I had finally made it to the Whites! 23 Beaver Brook Shelter