Date: 2008-08-13
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: US 302-Crawford Notch
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 153 -- I appreciate being able to sleep in the huts, out of the weather, but I didn't get as much sleep as I usually do. The hut's breakfast lady was in the kitchen working before 5, the SOBO's were packing around then (trying to do 20 to Franconia Notch), and then we had to be out of the dining area (our sleeping quarters) before the guests came in. So we got up early, packed, and waited outside, enjoying the partly cloudy morning sky, while the guests ate. Then we got to eat and do our work for stay (washing tables, sweeping bunkrooms, and shaking out blankets). I headed out a little before 9 at a good pace, hoping to make up some time so Pop-Pop wouldn't have to wait for me long at Crawford Notch. The terrain was a rocky descent at first, but leveled out pretty quickly, apparently an old railroad bed. The trees opened up to a huge rock slide area with sweeping views (I sound like a guidebook) of the mountains around. About two and a half miles in, Clothesline passes me and I ask if Wrongway left at the same time he did and he said, Are you kidding?" Apparently Wrongway passed him a while ago, but hadn't passed me yet. Hmmm...that means he must've followed a connecting trail at a junction, instead of the AT. After making sure Clothesline wasn't joshing me, I put my pack down and ran SOBO. I stopped at a Falls trail junction where three guests from last night's hut were and asked them about Wrongway, to which they told me they hadn't seen him. At that point I realized I was around 0.8 miles from where he probably strayed and that running back there wouldn't do either of us any good. So I turned around, got back to my pack and hiked on. After the Ethan Pond Campsite I passed a couple from the hut and talked to them for a bit. Yesterday I had run into them just before Zealand Hut, fording a fast-moving stream. They kept an eye on me, making sure I made it across. I told them about Wrongway taking a side trip. Soon after I moved on I heard them talking to someone else and as I suspected, here comes Wrongway. He misread the sign and confirmed that we are zeroing tomorrow. Yesterday took a toll on him (and I'm certainly not complaining--we'll rest up before hiking Mt. Washington), and I think after getting lost twice, a mental break would be good for him, too.Close to the trailhead I ran into a family. The son said, "Excuse me, where did you get those trekking poles?" His mom told me he wants to hike with poles--he thinks they look like fun :>). I've always appreciated them, but since being in the Whites, I've been especially thankful. Pop-Pop was waiting at the parking lot, knowing that I was coming soon because Clothesline had let him know...and I was on time, too! He brought roast beef subs, chips, soda, fruit, and other snacks--yea!! We stood around and talked for a while and then he took us to the Crawford Notch General Store and Campground and got a spot at the bunkhouse. Then we went to the Post Office in Bartlett where I got my new camera battery and memory card and Wrongway picked up his winter gear. We resupplied at the supermarket and then Pop-Pop dropped us off. It was great to see him and hang out with him for a while. We appreciated the trail magic. I look forward to hanging out with him and decompressing from the hike, afterwards. At the campground we showered, did laundry, dried our stuff, and hung out. I was playing solitaire, with some cards left at the bunkhouse, when Site and Bondi hiked in. It was good to see them again--they're looking forward to summitting Mt. Washington tomorrow or the day after. They tented outside and made a fire and we hung out around it. Cookie Ice Cream sandwich for dessert!! :>) Dean, an employee, came over and hung out too.