The Way I Go Along The Appalachian Trail

Yesterday we took a “Zero” after successfully completing the Wildcat Slack Pack Challenge. “Zeros” are always well appreciated as we planned our hiking itinerary up to August 8th as well as did our laundry and packed our packs for our next 3 day/2 night hike starting tomorrow.  This hike will continue from US 2, Gorham, NH (1894.8 NoBo) to Grafton Notch, ME 26 (1925.9) for a total of 31.1 miles. Today’s segment goes to Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite (1906.6 NoBo) equaling 11.8 miles.  We started hiking from the Rattle River Lodge & Hostel at 7:30 with temperatures in the upper 50’s.  And as most hikes, it started right off with a climb summiting Mt. Hayes.  Wild blueberries are abundant; no need to carry snacks. Some hiker marked the trail with their unofficial 1900 NoBo mile marker from Springer Mountain. NoBo thru hikers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Dream Lake.  Broke a trekking pole. Trail is very rugged with many rock outcrops.I was able to repair it

Yesterday’s “Zero” was too short! We got all caught up with drying clothes and doing laundry but my knees still hurt.. coming down off the President’s Sunday took their toll. I’m sure once I get rolling they will be fine.  So, we got checked in at the Rattle River Lodge & Hostel and got our “slacking” packs ready for today’s hike,  the infamous Wildcat Slack Pack Challenge - a grueling 21 mile hike over the Wildcat Ridges. There are 3 “escape” exit  routes if you can’t make the entire distance. We are planning on getting to the 14 mile check point at Stony Brook, the last exit point, and assess our time and condition.  Today’s hike of the Wildcat Challenge begins at Pinkham Notch (1873.7 NoBo) to US 2, Gorham, NH (1894.8) totaling 21.3 miles.  We began at 5:30 am under partly cloudy skies; temperature was 58°. The first climb over the Wildcat  Mountain was very steep and technical took us right by the ski lift at the summit of Wildcat Ski Resort. A steep rock decent led us into ano

Day 3 - We woke up to rain and gusting winds. Weather report forecasted 30-40 mph winds gusting to 60+ mph. The weatherman was “right” again. Getting off the President’s is going to be an adventure for sure.  We had breakfast, packed our gear and hit the trail at 8:00 am. We can’t get off this mountain quick enough… we took our daily pic inside to stay dry for 40 seconds longer 🙄.  We are hiking down off the President’s from Madison Spring Hut (1865.9 NoBo) to Pinkham Notch, NH 16 (1873.7 NoBo) totaling 7.8  miles.   Turtle Power rock hops faster than I do as he has 2 good, or 2 better, legs. It was extremely windy, again the forecast was right predicting gust to 60+ mph,  and foggy along the ridge coming off the mountain. Due to the fog, I lost sight of Turtle Power and the cairns and followed the wrong cairns taking me temporarily off the AT. I  looked backed up the mountain behind me when it partially cleared and saw the larger trail cairns that I should have followed. If I didn’t

Day 2 - Woke up to beautiful clear skies and bright sun. This will be a great day to summit Mt. Washington 😉. Sunrise at the Hut… “Lakes” in the clouds… Today’s hike is fairly short, continuing from Lake in the Clouds Hut (1858.7 NoBo) to the Madison Spring Hut (1865.9 NoBo) equaling 7.2 miles. We began hiking around 8:30 am as we have time to enjoy all the views and spectacular sights; and it’s perfect day to hike with temperatures reaching 60° with a slight breeze.  We leave the hut, start our way on our approach to the summit  and were greeted by this sign… 😬. The weather is known to dramatically change in the Whites, especially on  Mt. Washington, with no advance warning or notice. We are prepared as we do have our cold weather gear with us… hopefully we will not need it.  The approach trail to the summit.  EUREKA! 😉  We enjoyed the views from the summit then began our descent to the Crawford trail and our hike to the Madison Spring Hut. Amazingly enough… there was not cell phon