Day #35, Geese, new states, and notches--miles hiked: 12.3

Today we headed out early for the top of Mt. Success...and then the NH/ME border.

Once in Maine, we hiked towards Goose Mtn--which Shabbat and I have voted as our favorite stretch of trail yet!

For miles, the trail meandered over and thru bald peaks with bog bridges and all sorts of flowers in between!

The last attraction of the day was what many consider the hardest mile of the entire AT--Mahoosuc Notch. It only stretches for a mile, but took us almost 2 hours to complete as we scurried around on (and sometimes under) boulders the size of cars.

When we reached camp, Emily and I decided to sleep under the stars...happy trails!

Day #34, A picture perfect birthday--miles hiked: 11.7

Today, Emily became my elder and we celebrated her 19th birthday on the trail. We left the White Mountain Hostel and headed up what was the first physically reasonable stretch of trail in a long time...'twas almost like hiking in the south!

We passed several ponds--this one (Page Pond) was particularly neat.

I can tell we're almost to Maine by all the bog bridges we've been walking on.

Since the mileage was short and the trail was pretty easy, we rolled into a shelter with an absolutely gorgeous view at 3 pm...thus we enjoyed naps and rest time before dinner.

While cooking with the wonderful view, I discovered some opened chicken that I had meant to throw away in town--and it was absolutely rancid! I knew right then that the next few days of carrying the stuff were going to be stinky.

Dinner is served!

Tomorrow we head into Maine!

Day #33, Deja vu zero day--miles hiked: 0.0

By now, you all know what we do on zero days...eat, groceries, eat, sleep, etc. However, today was a bit different as we got to watch soccer with two European dudes and a hiker movie with actual hikers...both were more interesting than normal. Here are some pictures of the White Mountain Lodge and Hostel where we are staying.

Italian for lunch!

Thank you mom Berry for the care package!

Tomorrow we head out for 5-6 days of trail that will take us into Maine...rest assured the blog will be up and running again in the next town. Happy trails!

Day #32, A road more or less traveled--miles hiked: depends who you ask

Today we left Imp Shelter to go up to Mt. Moriah and down out of the Whites.

My phone died after Moriah, so the pictures stopped but the adventure did not.

I felt great today, but my cohorts contracted a case of tired legs...thus I ended up a bit ahead. The AT in these mountains is a linkage of many pre-existing trails, and requires a bit more careful attention. There was a tricky junction today that took Shabbat and Emily on a scenic detour from the AT and left me wondering where they were, but after some note writing and nice German man, we all made it safely to a lovely hiker hostel right on the trail. Based on the physical and mental condition of the crew, tomorrow is another zero.

Day #31, Wildcat Mtn peaks A-E and so on--miles hiked: 13.2

After a final meal at McDonalds, we hitched out of Gorham to complete the final stretch of the White Mountains...and as is tradition for coming out of a town, the trail headed straight up the side of Wildcat Mtn. The mountain has 5 peaks with excellent views of Mt. Washington and the other presidentials.

After peak D, we finally found that gondola straight to a restaurant we have been looking for since the first week...but we resisted the urge for today.

After enjoying massive Walmart sandwich that I justified carrying up the mountain, we stopped by Carter Notch Hut--the final one in the system.

After the hut, we hammered out 7 more miles in the wind and rain...the weather really does change in an instant here. The final destination was Imp Shelter where we enjoyed a nice, dry nights sleep.

Ps--the current fall standings are as follows:

Double Dip--16

Blueberry--13

Shabbat--11

Day #30, Zero miles and countless smiles--miles hiked: 0.0

We have spent the entire day in Gorham, NH and enjoyed every minute of it. I have been too lazy to take very many pictures, but here's the day in bullets:

-sleep in

-walk to Dunkin' for breakfast

-go to the laundromat and entertain the other family in there by telling them to turn around while we strip all of our clothing and change into rain gear

-watch a parade in our rain gear

-hitch hike to walmart in a pickup bed

-groceries 

-hitch hike back to town 

-nap and repackage food

-lay around some more

-hot tub

-pizza for dinner

-fireworks (postponed from all the weather until now)

-more food and ice cream indulgence

-showers!

-pack to hike tomorrow

-bed 

Day #29, A blustery walk to town--miles hiked: 8.7

We woke up at Madison Hut this morning with the hurricane winds still whipping.

But today was a town day--so onto the exposed ridge line with 70 mph winds we went! 

Close your eyes. Imagine you weigh about 120 pounds and have a 30 pound pack (or sail) attached to your back. Now add rocks all around and what feels like a tornado throwing you in all directions as you struggle up a mountain. Oh wait, what just happened? Oh yeah, a 70 mph gust just slammed you into a rock cairn (aka, a giant pile of rocks about as tall as me) and you end up on your belly for the next one. Case and point: it was 2 miles I will certainly never forget.

Once we reached treeline again, the wind attacked the trees instead of the hikers. But wait, there's still more excitement! We saw a moose! Thankfully, I was not alone for this encounter and Shabbat and I had the tree we would hide behind if she charged all picked out...but this was a docile moose, phew!

And a bunch of tourists who were sure to warn us of the 20 foot drop we would encounter on the trail ahead (basically what we've dealt with for days). 

After hitch hiking with some Chinese tourists, we now rest safely in Gorham, NH and are looking forward to a zero day tomorrow!