Day 113 - Sunday, July 25, 2021
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 π.
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 see them it sure would have been a whole different hike to say the least π. It took me nearly 45 minutes to go back up and resume hiking on the AT.
Yes, I’m having a terrific time, can’t you tell? π
This is actually a clear look back over the ridge, notice the cairns running along the ridge and on the peak…it didn’t last long.
I finally made it back into the tree line. It’s a whole different world…
We made it to Pinkham Notch at 2:30 pm … never happier for a hike to end.
I wouldn’t say that today’s hike was treacherous or insane ππ΅π«π€ or even mentally and physically draining π€; and as much as I do not agree with Niki’s social and political opinions and boycott their products, “Just Do It!”was the definitely the theme of the day.
We are taking a “Zero” tomorrow to dry things out and move our “Platinum Slack Packing Flip-Flop-Flip Thru Hike” to a new base location. We are going to the Rattle River Lodge & Hostel in Shelburne, NH to get ready for our next hike - a 21 mile slack pack over Wildcat Mountain.
I do believe that this post gets me caught up to date but we’re heading “off the grid” again so I’m not sure when I’ll post next - it may be a few days but I still have you all in my thoughts π.
Oh and btw, with yesterday’s hike we broke 1300 trail miles π … 1315.1 miles to date but who’s counting?
Till next time... Happy Hiking π₯Ύ
π
“Acts of generosity in this wild and primitive setting…where basic amenities…are intentionally absent–are often received in a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude by hikers. These acts of generosity are referred to as “trail magic.”
(Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
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