8/29/12 – 1865 miles
Tonight we are at Pinkham Notch where the AMC has another lodge for tired hikers. We have only averaged 8 to 10 mile days through the White Mountains, making for some extra planning to arrive where we want to be next. We keep looking at the guide and plan to get someplace only 12 or 14 miles distant, totally reasonable a few weeks ago, but in this environment, not realistic.
Today’s weather was windy but clear. Everyone had on several layers of clothing as we started out. The wind and cold temperature on the mountain made us bundle into jackets and rain gear just to ward off the cold. NTrovert, Kleenex, and I all had socks on our hands. As we eventually reached lower altitude and found protection below treeline, the clothes came gradually off until we were once again in shorts and t-shirts.
Tomorrow we will climb up Wildcat Mountain, said by some to be just as tough as anything we’ve just been through. The weather is supposed to be good for the next few days, thankfully.
I read somewhere that there are something like 170 peaks on the trail through New Hampshire and Maine.
Oh my gosh how exciting but dangerous! If I know you and Kleenex though you are being very cautious with every step. I’ve been looking in my book and there have been some serious elevation changes, especially into Gorham where you should be today or tomorrow. It looks slightly better going into Maine. 🙂 Happy Hiking!
I am so glad that you aren’t alone. It looks as though you really need a group- of seasoned hikers to stay together through these dangerous places. Glad you are with hikers you can trust.. If you had been a SOBO, you might have given up right there.