Date: 2006-07-26
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Beaver Brook Shelter, NH
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: 0

Cell fair.Last night was a bit of a change for me. I stayed in a hostel which was like a bunkhouse. The place had six beds inside and four in a large tent outside. The outside looked better, but they were all taken when I showed up, thus I was inside.The place had TV with a hugh collection of VCR Tapes and DVDs. I didn't watch any, but it kept going late into the night. Fortunately, the people watching it kept the volume and the noise down, as I was sleeping just above them.Dinner last night consisted of a half pound bacon cheeseburger and a large salad. I also had onion rings with that, but ended up giving them away. I bought a 1/3 pound burger for breakfast that I stored in the refrigerator till morning. I wanted a large dose of protein for breakfast, as I had a hard climb ahead.The hike started with a long hard climb. After a few slight uphill climbs to the base of Mt. Moosilauke, the trail went steeply uphill. I had to take the climb slowly and methodically. I took baby steps, and tried not to have to lift my body if I could walk around a step. Oh yea, I weighed my pack before I left the hostel, it weighed 38.5 lbs - of which 4 was water and 8 was food. Anyway, that adds to my not wanting to go fast today.When I reached the first plateau, the trees became smaller and the trail wider. I had reached the Alpine zone - this is where the vegetation becomes scarce and fragile. At this point I had to ensure I stayed on the trail, now that was where was I supposed to go anyway. As I neared the peak of the mountain, the trees stopped growing and I was now above tree line. With no trees in the way, the view becomes very beautiful.After a long break to take in the views, and to relax my tired muscles, I moved on. That meant going back into the trees and down the other side of the mountain. I'm camped partially down the other side. I'll reach the road at Kinsman Notch in the morning.If you have been following my journal from the beginning, you may remember my cursing the Gaps down south. Well, up here they call those buggers "Notches." The mountains are higher, and the notches lower, than down south. I'll soon be cursing notches like I did gaps!Speaking of cursing thing, I would like to nominate the Dartmouth Outdoor Club for the award of "Worst Marked Trail Award." They must be maintained by the telepathy or psychic departments at the University. At first I thought they only neglected the roads and towns, but I was wrong. They also neglect fields and wooded areas. I haven't seen a white blaze in miles! Instead, they put up these orange and white signs at junctions. They do point to the AT north or south, but then you don't see another blaze to guide you. I guess this club dances to the beat of a different drummer.My spirits are still high and my outlook positive. I have to do less miles per day due to the constant elevation changes. I've also been advised to take the time to enjoy the scenery, and I'll end up loving this section. I'm going to take that advice and enjoy. I don't think it will have any effect on my completion expectations. If it does, then I'll be out here longer, but not by much. I'll keep making predictions and adjustments as needed. I'm hoping not to have to wait in towns to slow down or to have to rush to meet deadlines. It is what it is.Old Goat