Day #28, Happy 4th from the Presidential Range--miles hiked: 11.8

Today we traversed one of the most famous, beautiful, and sometimes treacherous mountain ridges in the country: the Presidential Range. After leaving Mizpah Hut in the rain, we were above treeline for most of the day.

Although the ridge was socked in all morning, the landscape itself was amazing. We hiked around Mt. Pierce, Eisenhower, and Monroe before heading up to the biggest of them all: Mt. Washington. 

This mountain is famous for having the "worst weather in the world." There was once a wind gust recorded at almost 300 mph. The mountain is also well-visited by tourists who can access it via road or a cog railway (kind of like the Jungfrau in Switzerland).

And where there are tourists, so will be a snack bar!

After we filled up on pizza and chili dogs, we continued down the ridge, waved at tourists on the railroad, and enjoyed a few moments of clearing in the fog.

Our final destination was Madison Springs Hut where we met some sobos (hikers heading south bound on the at) and did a work for stay. I was up several times during the night praising God for shelter as the hurricane bands rolled into the mountains with ferocious wind and rain. Another group of tired, cold hikers came in at 2 am seeking emergency shelter from the storm...it's not something to be taken lightly. However, the three amigos are warm and safe, so happy trails!

Day #27, A marathon to Mizpah--miles hiked: 18.6

Since we didn't make it to our intended campsite yesterday, we had some major catching up to do today...thus I was walking into the sunrise before 6 am.

By 8, we had made up the lost miles and rolled into Zealand Falls Hut just in time to do a little sweeping for a lot of leftovers.

We passed through a rock fall on the way to Crawford Notch that actually closely resembles the trail at some points.

When we got into the notch, we passed what we thought was a robbery, but upon closer examination, we decided it was a bear that tore into this poor tent site caretaker's car...in other words, it appears that the bear peeled the window seal back and only took what a bear wants: food.

After a very difficult climb out of the notch, the trail went over about 7 ledges with awesome views!

After a full 12 hours of walking, we made it to Mizpah Hut where we secured a work-for-stay for the night. We fell asleep to the sound of pouring rain and thunder...thank goodness it held off while we were on the ridge (this time, at least). Tomorrow we head over Mt. Washington and the famous Presidential Range. Happy trails!

Day #26, Boom boom pow and an exciting night--miles hiked: 10.5

This morning, we woke up in the clouds at Green Leaf hut, but it cleared off by the time we had finished our work for stay and polished the leftovers from breakfast.

So if you're wondering what's going on with all this hut business...here's your answer:

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) owns and operates 8 huts in the Whites. They are wooden structures with kitchens, tables, composting toilets, and bunks for 40-90 people. They function completely off the grid and are spaced roughly a days hike apart (or half a day if you're in thruhiker shape). We have been using a special privilege they offer to long distance hikers only: work for stay. This means that we do some chores (dishes, sweeping, etc) in exchange for dinner and breakfast leftovers and sleeping on the dining room floor...pretty good deal if you ask me (being an actual guest costs over 100 bucks per person per night).

We had some miles to cover to reach our final destination for the day, so off we went back up to Franconia Ridge and then up and over Mt. Garfield.

By the time we reached Galehead Hut (the halfway point), we could already hear the thunder rumbling...

But we had to press on with 6-7 more miles to go. The trail took us up on a ridge and the storm followed. We waited for awhile below one of the peaks and then carried on with what sounded like distant thunder. A mile or so later, there was a cloud-to-ground lightning strike that was way too close (Shabbat guessed 100 yards) to keep going towards another exposed peak...so we pulled out the tarp and hunkered down on an exposed ridge line (in a deluge, of course).

'Twas an exciting night trying to cook and stay dry while the White Mountain wind whipped over the ridge. Thankfully, I had been carrying a treat from Quebec...maple butter, anyone?

We did survive the night...so another blog post is coming soon!

Day #25, Back in the saddle--miles hiked: 8.5

This morning we left the Burlington Hostel (a non-hiker hostel with lots of restless wanderers) and headed with a rental car back to Littleton, NH.

When we arrived in Littleton, we enjoyed a last meal at Burger King and got a wonderful ride with the rental car guy back up to Franconia Notch.

The thoughts circling through my head when we arrived at the visitors center this time around were quite differnt than those I was thinking a few weeks ago when we got off the trail for Mani...but my heart is ready to be back (even if my body isn't totally there yet).

From the notch, we headed straight up to Franconia Ridge where we hiked into the sunset above treeline...it was glorious.

But this is the Whites, so 10 minutes brought fierce winds and a socked in ridge line...exciting nonetheless.

We rolled into Green Leaf hut around 9 and the crew had mercy on us and allowed us to work for stay rather than camp in the storm...more on the huts and other such fun later. Happy trails!

Day #24, Trains, buses, and Vermont yet again--miles hiked: 0.0

We thought we were done with the state of Vermont several weeks ago, but tonight we rest there once again. 

This morning, I delivered my suitcase with all of its luxurious items to our Quebec hotel lobby at a crisp 6:15 am...and off went the Maniwaki bunch on their return trip. After I joined the Berrys to grab a few more hours of sleep, it was time for some traveling of our own.

But first, why not explore the old city one more time?

After one last Quebec City hoorah, it was off to the train station to begin our journey back to the AT. 

We trained to Montreal where we made a miraculous connection to a Greyhound bus station and sprinted aboard a coach to Burlington, VT. 

We spent over an hour at customs waiting for a poor man that didn't make it--sure does stink to be detained...

Tomorrow we rent a car and drive to Littleton, NH and hope Emily and I remeber how to hitch hike...almost happy trails!

Intermission

The three amigos just reconvened...here's an update from our AT "intermission."

Emily--Double Dip:

Emily enjoyed a few days in Knoxville and orientation at the College of Charleston. Although we are going to school 10 hours apart, I believe it has been decided whose school is the spring break location.

Mr. Berry--Shabbat:

Shabbat enjoyed Tennessee for the entire intermission. He held a staff meeting, fixed a fence, hung out with family, and might have forgotten to take pictures...

Minta--Blueberry:

I had an incredibly sweet and busy time in Maniwaki and Quebec City. I arrived 3 days before the rest of the team in Mani and got to have the incredibly special experience of becoming an honorary member of the Grebe family (the pastoral family in Maniwaki). I had endless kitchen table conversations with them and several other precious church members--accompanied by endless cups of tea.

Esther, one of my dearest friends, and I rode bikes quite a ways out to Blue Sea Lake.

And of course, no visit to the Grebe household is complete without baking at least once a day. Crepes, anyone?

After a few days, the "Tennessee Group" arrived (the mission team from school) and the pace picked up considerably. We spent the week playing with kids, trying hard and often failing hard with our French, serving, and loving non-stop. 

This is the tenth year that Madame has brought kids to Mani, and such a beautiful legacy simply must be accompanied by some face paint...

Five days of camp flew by and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye once again to my Canadian friends.

It's not easy to say goodbye, but I find great comfort in going straight back to my prayer patterns for the city. It was no doubt another intense but oh-so-worthwhile week in Maniwaki.

But wait, there's more! After we pulled out of Mani, it was straight to Quebec City for some debriefing and exploration.

The Berry Bunch flew up to meet me as it's time to hit the trail once again. Wish us luck as we re-adjust to this more physically demanding and rustic way of life.

Day #23, A traveling we will go--miles hiked: 0.0

We spent today making our way from the middle of the White Mountains all the way to a place that captivated my heart 3 years ago that I have loved ever since--Maniwaki, Quebec.

The timing of so many things today couldn't have been more perfect--it's amazing how He works. In order to pick up our rental car, we had to find a ride to a town 25 miles north on I-93. Emily and I started hitching and the very first car that drove by happened to be Legion, one of the hostel people from a day or two ago. He scooped us up and off we went!

Because we arrived so early, we got to enjoy a nice break in the local Walmart (with donuts!).

From there, we rented our car and headed for Maniwaki. I think Shabbat set off some triggers with his beard at the customs place because the officer was not too pleased with our entire plan...nevertheless, he let us into Canada.

After getting a little turned around in Ottawa and several food stops, we arrived at the Grebe household and received a wonderful welcome and taste treat sensation that Esther had ready. This was another example of perfect timing as they only beat us by 5 minutes coming back from an Ottawa run themselves. 

This marks the beginning of the intermission for the Appalachian Trail adventure. I will spend the coming days in Maniwaki with my dear Esther and the group from school. Emily has college orientation and other commitments. Mr. Berry has a little bit of working to do, but

we will reconvene in Quebec City in a week or so to continue the hike. For now, this is me signing off. Happy trails!