Date: 2007-08-30
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Gorham, NH - Top Notch Inn
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

After another night¢s sleep in a bed, we were ready for another day of slack packing. I had now carried a full pack for 4 and 12 days and it was time for a break. Yes, descending our slippery slope, we now scheme for the easy way out, with plans to still complete all of the AT¢s miles. But upping mileage over difficult terrain, even without a full pack, doesn¢t necessarily mean it¢s easier. Sometimes the easy way out comes back to bite you firmly in the ass.The terrain looked a little less formidable hiking it North to South, which we¢ve done a number of times now, instead of our usual South to North route. Plus it would be more convenient to hitch rides that direction. Plus we might run into old friends -- those who actually carry their full packs and hike in a consistent northbound fashion, although I have no idea what possesses them to do such a crazy thing. We have gotten into the habit of greeting Sven and Uff-da in this way, each day we slack pack southbound. If we want to see our good friends, then we must schedule such days into our hike, so it¢s their fault really. They are no longer surprised to see us headed in the opposite direction without packs.In addition to abrupt weather changes and challenging terrain, the White Mountains are known for walks above tree line, steep and rocky ascents and descents, and unprepared hiker deaths. Thru-hikers may be able to avoid the latter, but weather and terrain are a different story. The weather report predicted an afternoon of severe thunderstorms, but with a hotel room awaiting us at the end of the day, we didn¢t mind getting a little wet.About 15 miles in, the bad weather hit, luckily while we were waiting in the shelter of one of the huts, listening to the thunder and watching the lightning, amazed by the enormity of the gummi bear-sized hail. With a ridge walk still to go, and the rains showing no signs of letting up, we decided on a more prudent and safer course of action by opting for a side trail around the day¢s last mountain, skipping part of the Appalachian Trail in favor of safety. Slippery rocks, rain, steep ascents and descents do not good companions make; neither do thunder, lightning and trails above tree line.Which means I¢m no longer a purist, having skipped about 5 miles of the trail, determining my safety to be more important at this point. It was, surprisingly, not a difficult decision, for I decided early on in the hike that I wouldn¢t be so rigid and hard-headed in my thinking at the cost of putting myself in danger. With threatening weather, it¢s better to be safe than sorry, especially at this point in the trail with so few miles remaining. Other hikers concerned for our safety said we made the right decision and were overwhelmingly supportive, no matter their outlook and standards for purist hiking.Will I come back and finish the five or so miles that I skipped today? I don¢t know, but I¢m honestly not concerned that it will make me any less of a thru-hiker. I¢m going to Katahdin, even if it means skipping a few miles of the trail today to ensure I get there.miles remaining 297.9