Date: 2009-09-05
From: Glencliff, NH (Hiker Hostel)

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Highlight: Incredible views on top of Mt. Moosilauke, above tree line and climbing to an elevation of 4,802 feet.I didn't sleep too well last night because I was very dehydrated and continued drinking water through the night, hence my getting up four times to go to the bathroom. When I woke up at 6:30 am, I gathered my belongings together, grabbed some food and headed off to the post office to send back my warm-weather gear to my aunt in Lancaster, PA. The climb up the steep north side was absolutely amazing. There was a waterfall that stretched the entire way up the 3,400 foot climb and each step yielded a new vista of the Whites. Man, the air was so crisp again. At several points during the steep ascent, there were large boulders that we were supposed to climb up, but the AMC had drilled wooden blocks into the stones to ensure that climbers would have a secure footing. We ran into several families along the way, enjoying the variability of conversation. When we finally made the last ascent to the summit of Moosilauke, the wind had picked up and was nearly blowing us over. Looking off to the side, a huge glider came out of nowhere and swooped down within 500 feet of the summit. Huge rock cairns were directly to the side of the trail to ensure that hikers would not get lost in the clouds or during a snowstorm.   After some screwing around at the top and taking the formal pictures, I slipped and fell into a pile of rocks, which jabbed into my right buttcheek and right forearm. It was very painful and, at first, I was unsure if I was injured more seriously. Fortunately, I was able to shake it off, but it will definitely leave a nasty black and blue. We were enjoying the top of the summit, with all of its glorious views, that we ended up going down the wrong trail. We descended all the way down the mountain before we realized that we were no longer following any white blazes. We met up with a father and son, as they were heading to their car in a nearby parking lot, and we pleaded with them to take us down and drop us on the main road. We started walking along Rt. 118 for 20 minutes or so before a couple swung back around and picked us up, dropping us off in Warren on Rt. 25. It all worked out because Willow's husband, Tim, met us in a local restaurant completely by accident - serendipity one might say. It was a great reunion. During my chowing down of homemade spaghetti and meatballs, a drunk local shouted across the bar saying, "YOU ARE NOT SAYING MUCH...IT MUST BE PRETTY F-N GOOD!!!!" Since she screamed this at the top of her lungs and it was completely random, Willow, Jungli, and I just started cracking up - mostly because we had no idea how to react to such a statement. I tried to reply to let her know that, yes, it was very tasty, but I just continued laughing. Tomorrow, we'll be slacking from Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch and we're really excited about it. We're trying to bang out a quick 16.3 mile day to set us up for the 'good stuff' with four or five days of beautiful sunny weather. Actually, I checked the weather this morning and Mt. Washington will be windy as hell Tues, Wed, and Thurs, with a potential to snow on Friday. Can't wait. Wish me luck as I continue through this majestic real estate. Awesome.