Date: 2018-09-22
From: NH 16 Pinkham Notch 1871.5

To: Madison Spring Hut 1863.7
Miles today: 7.8

This AM at the hostel we listened to the weather updates to learn that the forecast was improving. Still windy on the higher summits, but the forecast called for winds to diminish as the day went on into the afternoon. Three of us decided to hitch to Pinkham Notch and hike south: Mason, Moneypenny and myself. We weren¢t sure how far we were going to hike, whether we were going to bail at some point (there are side trails off the AT in this area that lead back to the road) or whether we were going to hike all the way to Madison Spring Hut. I had all my gear along, and enough food to last me 3 or 4 days, in case I decided to continue on to Crawford Notch. I left some food at the hostel, and told Paul the owner that if I wasn¢t back tonite to set my bag of food aside and save it for me as I¢d be back within about 3 days. After all, I still need to come back and hike the section of trail over the Wildcats, Carters and Moriah. The 3 of us had no trouble hitching a ride to Pinkham Notch, but it was 10:30 by the time we started hiking. We got to the Osgood Tentsite around 13:00, where we stoped and had lunch. Mason for some reason started having a bad feeling about the hike, that some calamity was going to befall him, so he elected to head back to the road via. the Osgood Trail. Moneypenny and I elected to continue on, at that point we were pretty much committed to going all the way to Madison Springs Hut. I¢m glad we did, as it was good to get this climb behind us. There were great views to be had over to Washington and across the valley to the Wildcats and Carters. Although it was windy on the summit of Madison (elev. 5366), at no time did I feel at risk of being knocked off my feet. It was chilly however, between the temps and the wind; not sure what the wind chill was, but I had to break out my dew rag and gloves. The rocky climb/descent over Madison made it slow going. I think I arrived at the hut around 17:00, today being the last day that Madison Hut is open for the season; they close right up, there is no caretaker service here off-season. Fortunately both Moneypenny and I were able to secure work for stays. My first job was to walk around the outside of the hut and a short ways along the trails, and pickup any scraps of trash that I came across. My second job was to scrub a window frame. My last job was to wash dishes. Pretty easy stuff. In exchange I got to eat all the food I wanted for dinner after the paying guests had eaten, and I got to sleep on the floor in the dining room after the guests retired for the evening. There is no heat here in the hut, but it is still warmer than outside. All in all it is great to be inside the hut. Had I not gotten the work for stay, I would have had to have taken a side trail down to a camping area - about a 2 mile round trip detour. Besides Moneypenny and myself, there are 2 other thru hikers here (NOBOs) that have secured work for stays. No cell signal here, so I am not able to contact Kayanne and let her know where I am; for all she knows I am still at the hostel in Gorham. No worries sweetheart, all is well. I will both contact Kayanne and post this message tomorrow from a summit, where I should have a signal. I am safe, warm and dry in Madison Springs Hut tonite. Goodnite.