Date: 2014-07-25
From: Bill Ackerly's/Grafton Turnpike

To: Ore Hill Camp Site
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Both Oconee and I hated to leave Bill's but since he had left for the weekend there was no reason to stay. Today included some really big climbs as the mountains started to reflect what the Whites would be serving us soon. 1st up was a climb to Lambert's Ridge a 1500 foot climb. It was a very tough climb as it was straight up hill and left both Oconee and I huffing and puffing at times and with our legs asking us "what are you thinking?". Despite its ruggedness we only stopped twice to take water breaks as staying hydrated is so fundamentally important especially when you sweat as much as we were. This climb was quickly followed by another 900 foot climb to the top of Smart Mountain and included a series of rock scrambles where the Fire Warden's Cabin and Tower were located. We broke for lunch here and took in the views from the tower. I know I keep repeating myself about these views but sometimes I just run out of adjectives to describe such things as the series of rolling mountains that just seemed to pile up one behind the other in the direction we were headed. As we looked out you could just feel the excitement and adrenaline build as you anticipated the climbs in the Whites knowing they would be difficult but oh so rewarding! We finally had to as John Wayne would say "Move on", and made our way down 1800 feet. I know it doesn't make much sense and I might have said it before, but with the pounding the knees and hips take on such a grueling and long downhill, sometimes it is easier on the body to be going up hill. We finally made it down to Jacob's brook where we took on water which was important as many of the water sources had been drying up without any recent rain and we still had about 9 miles to go. From there it was right back up with a 1400 foot climb to the top of Mount Cube which included a spectacular rock scramble like one would find in the Adirondacks and which seemed to just go up and up and up..... On the way up we came across the skull and neck bone remains of an elk a hiker had told us about the day before and appeared that it had been worked over pretty good by some coyotes to the point that they had caused some teeth to fall out. After what seemed like forever we topped out and took a break to take in the view which despite the haze still made you ponder the meaning of life with ponds, woods and mountains folding into each other. What was also pretty neat was the fact that you could look back and follow the ridge lines that you had been walking the past 2 days and see where you had travelled and say to yourself, "Man I was all the way over there!". With daylight burning and mile to make we forced ourselves to our feet and gather our things and "move on". The next decent was also 1800 feet and was rougher than the one earlier with several washouts as well as roots to trip you or rocks to slip on. This was compounded by the fact that we realized a misstep could occur at anytime, but that most falls frequently occur after 4 pm, which it was, and when you're most tired and in a hurry to finish the day, which we were and when the lighting was low inside the woods making foot placement more difficult, which it was. After a bone jarring hour we made it down to NH 25A and headed back up a 900 foot climb which first involved a half mile crossing of a flooded mud bog area. With darkness encroaching we finally made it up the hill to the camp site where we set up our tents, had dinner and called it a day. Today was a very satisfying one especially since it was my birthday. We had hiked up over 4600 feet and descended 3200 feet which no small feat in and of itself. Again very rewarding and satisfying. As the night closes I would like to thank everyone for their texts and notes on my journal and face book. It really helps with all of your support.