8/22/12 – 1795 miles
Today was my first slack pack. I always told myself that I wanted to carry my pack the whole way, remain pure by not accepting help from anyone, but like a lot of things that have happened along the way, I changed my mind – the White Mountains changed my mind.
Troverts, Tall Oaf, Kleenex
Last night, Dead Eye had a bout of diarrhea just after dinner that kept him up for part of the night. He thought it best to bow out of today’s hike instead of fighting the trail and running behind a tree every few minutes. It worked out that Kleenex’s sister, Allison was coming to spend a couple of days slack packing a few of us through the first two notches and mountain ranges, leaving her free during the day. Dead Eye went with Allison to secure motel rooms and store all our gear until we climbed Mount Moosilauke and descended a tortoise rock scramble at Kinsman Notch. Tomorrow, Allison will take five of us to the trail at Kinsman and then take Daryl (Dead Eye will be off the trail) to Lebanon for his flight home the next day.
Of has been wonderful to spend some time with Daryl on my hike. He moved along the trail like thruhikers that have been out here for months.I asked him if he felt cheated spending time with me because of the other hikers I hang out with. He said, “No, and in fact it has been fun meeting some of your friends.” I know he understands the type of hiker-family that develops on the trail. Just now that I’m getting to the mountains, I need some people to go through with me.
Oh, I’m so sorry to read that Daryl/Dead Eye wasn’t able to hike the last day, but glad you two got to spend so much of this past week together. You are really on the home stretch now!
I can’t believe how far you’ve come!! The little hiker I have on the AT map on the wall keeps moving north every time you blog. 🙂
Daryl mentioned that you thought he should write your story of your adventure; no way. You have such a unique way of telling a story that I feel that I am there with you. I never knew that you had such a gift6.
Mom, I didn’t say that, Dale did, and I’m sure he was just being a gracious blog commenter, flattering the blogger.
I told him the same thing you did, that he has his own voice and should write for himself, but that I would be glad to proofread it.