Steeper, Harder and Longer

I think today was the hardest day I’ve had yet. I got up early to get started on what I knew was going to be a sporty 27 mile day over some of the toughest terrain in the Whites. The adventure started early with a nearly vertical descent down from the campsite on a part of the Trail that also serves as a small stream. It was tough navigating those wet rocks with my peanut butter bagel breakfast in hand.

The views from the summits and ridge lines were spectacular this morning. I came around the corner and was faced with this beautifully framed view of the mountain I was coming down and the ones that I had waiting for me this afternoon. I took an extra long lunch by a fast waterfall, showered in the cold water and then laid out in the sun on a rock and drank a cup of coffee. It was great but I had to get back on the Trail to finish the last fourteen miles of the day.

After lunch, I was treated to a chill section of flat Trail and I could relax a little and enjoy the easy hike. That all changed pretty quickly when I crossed the road and started the long six mile climb headed to our campsite. Once I got up on the ridge there were several boulder climbing sections that are really fun and I’m starting to get the hang of how I can use my pack weight to help it hurl me up over some of the big ones.

I finally got to the campsite around 8:00 and found it nearly destroyed with huge trees blown down everywhere. It looks like a tornado or microburst went through here recently and they made haven’t had a chance to clean it up. Fortunately, a few of the tent platforms were still intact and the privy was open for business.

I am looking forward to tomorrow. I am meeting up with Taylor. She lives here in New Hampshire and we hiked together for the first couple of weeks of March before she got off for the virus. She is a super strong hiker an an expert on the Whites. More importantly, she is going to hike me in a cold Coke!