Date: 2013-07-10
From: Hexacuba Shelter, mi 1,772.4

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Before leaving the gazebo-like hexagonal Hexacuba Shelter, I hiked up a steep slope behind the shelter to the "Penta-privy", raised off the slope, with a pentagram emblazoned on the door. I thought for a moment while sitting on this demonic throne, that if God were to strike me down of all places, it would be at this shitter. The hike up Mt. Cube from the Hexacuba Shelter, ascended glacially polished metamorphic rock. Analog joined me in the ascent. We sat on the vertically tilted slabs at the summit of Mt. Cube for a rest and to take in the views of the valley below. Before reaching NH25C, and after passing the Ore Hill Campsite, I approached a drenched hiker wearing a pancho and leather hiking boots, who barely moving down the muddy trail. She was an older lady who had arranged a rendezvous with relatives at the parking area on NH25C. She thought she had broken her toe, which possibly explained her hobbling down the trail. I offered my help in relieving her from some weight she was carrying, but she insisted she would make it out on her own. At NH25C, where the AT jogged 100 yards east on the highway, we sat at the next trailhead on our tarps and prepared some lunch, wondering if we should've insisted on helping this lady. It was her lucky day, moments later when we noticed a SUV pull over to the road side and the driver, a heavier set man whom I recalled to be her son, looking around for her. We asked him if he was expecting someone. He replied "Yes, I'm suppose to meet my mom here". We told him that she was hiking slowly with a possible broken toe, but not to worry, since she was continuing to hike a steady pace toward the road. After finishing lunch, we observed that mom and son reunited. A burden was off our shoulders for leaving an injured hiker behind. The moderate climb up Mt. Mist was obscured by low clouds. The summit sign, nailed to a tree, had been quite appropriate for the name, given that it was obscured by the dense cloud. By about 3pm, we had arrived at HN25, where the Hikers Welcome Hostel was located about 0.5 miles to the east of the trailhead. When we arrived, we went upstairs to claim a bunk. It was here, we ran into Fox Trot again. He had arrived at the Hostel perhaps an hour earlier and had been given cleaning tasks, which included vacuuming the upstairs bunk room and the kitchen/common area for his stay. We filled out an agreement form, for the established rates of services, which included 15.00 for a bunk, and extra for food and laundry facility. After getting settled in and taking a shower in the outdoor stall, where a flush toilet also existed, Fox Trot, Analog, Cricket, Pancake, and myself were shuttled into the nearby town of Warren (5 miles east of Glencliff. At the hostel, Fox Trot and Analog had gotten the crazy idea of taking on the 8-pound pizza challenge at the only family restaurant in Warren. Two people had 1.5 hours to consume this pizza, the contents of which, were not listed. If the contestants devoured it in that time frame, the pizza was free. If they didn't, the cost was $36.00. Our group sat at two separate tables, Trot and Analog at their own table. As we enjoyed our more reasonable proportions of food, we observed this 2-inch thick large pizza being consumed, first vigorously, with tapering appetites after two pieces. By the final two pieces, each of them looked like they were going to hurl on the table. A large family who sat at the table across from us had ordered pizza during this time. I overheard the waitress telling them that they were all out of ingredients, but she stopped short of telling them that all of the restaurants ingredients were being stuffed into two hiker bellies behind them. Analog managed to consume his last piece, waiting for Fox Trot to finish his. After much coaxing, only a minute or two before their time ran out, Fox choked down the final piece. The Challenge was won!