Day 34 - Yes, Mr. Presidents (4/8/2016)

I take back what I said about the Whites. The NOBOs were right. The 2,800 foot climb to Mt Madison over 2.5 miles nearly destroyed me. I was way behind on my time, so I decided to forego summiting the other presidentials, and just stuck to the AT path. It turns out that first climb (over sharp, irregular rocks) was as bad as it got. Most of the traverse to Mt Washington was much friendlier. That said, it was still a slow slog.

But I made it!

Summit of Mt Washington

There were beautiful views, and I managed another 1.5 miles to Lakes of the Clouds. Despite the fear of crowding, only one other hiker had asked for work-for-stay so that's what I did. Some sweeping and dishes earned me a meal of enchiladas, pumpkin soup, and cream cheese brownies,

Start: 1 mile past Pinkham Notch

End: Lakes of the Clouds hut

Distance: 13.5 (very difficult) miles

Day 18 - Avery Peak (19/7/2016)

I forgot Pouch's rain cover at the shelter this morning! Fortunately at our next campsite I met a nice pair of NOBOs who offered to retrieve it and mail it to me further down the track.

Rangely and Snakecharmer are an odd couple: she's around 70, he's the 15 year old son of her friend's. They've hiked together regularly for several years now. Rangely declared us (Pancake, Eskimo, Littlefoot and me) her favourite SOBOs and told me to email her when I get near Virginia so that she can make sure there's some trail magic there. :)

The climb to Avery Peak went really well, but it was the most windy thing I've done in a long time. The views were spectacular, and none of my injuries flared up so I'm very happy.

Start: Little Bigelow
End: Horns Pond
Distance: 9.9 miles (16 km)