Day 142: Last Full Day in NH

Woke up early, but lazed around a while with the tv on. Our packs were heavy. No need to rush to put them on. Eventually, everyone made it to breakfast at Welsh's again, and it was a big crew. Deetz, Power Pack, Miles, Rorshach, Boss, Homebrew, Buttons and me. Oh, and a sobo named Homeward Bound who had only just graduated from high school (!).




We ate a bunch and chatted about what's ahead. Hard to believe there are fewer than 300 miles left of this thing. After breakfast, Boss and I went out to hitch a ride. After a few minutes, a red pick-up truck did a u-turn to pull over right in front of us. Two guys got out - Joe and Henry. They were sections hikers we'd helped out a few days earlier when Henry was having bad leg cramps a few miles past Mount Washington. We'd given him some water since they had run out. Karma had come around! They gave us a ride back to the trail head before running off to Walmart. Thanks fellas!




Boss and I started hiking with our way-too-heavy packs [for just three days], and it was a bit slow going. We didn't get outta there till noon, and it was hot out. 85+ degrees in early September in almost-Maine?! The heat wouldn't have been too bad had there been a breeze, but the air was still and stagnant. Maybe hurricane Earl was messing with the typical late-summer New England weather...? I'm pretty sure Boss would slow down a bit behind me to make it seem like I wasn't quite so slow, but I sure felt slow. He's nice like that.

We climbed a few hills and took a snack break when Backwards caught up. He'd been in and out of Gorham a few times and knew this part of the trail well. Boss popped his new mp3 book into his ears and hiked out front while Backwards and I caught up about his European adventures.




My legs were pretty tired and not cooperating as usual. The guys both got out in front before Boss took a break. Snack break. Hiking. Sun. No breeze. Hiking up. Hiking down. Another snack break on top of a mountain where I made a few calls. We took our time getting to the shelter, and didn't make it there till 7:30. The heat made the day seem longer than it was. Not even 12 miles today...




But! The day was over, and not a pinch too soon. After setting up camp and making dinner, it was blog and bed time. Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow - should be a lot of fun! (though I will miss New Hampshire a lot)

Special thanks to the group of Bates college kids who gave me their extra Hershey bars!
(11.8mi 10st)


-- Posted from the trail...

Location:Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite