Day 152, Thursday July 29, 2021

  

Garfield Ridge shelter campsite to Zeecliff campsite - 8.7 miles hiked today - 1838.9 total AT miles hiked to date 

We woke this morning to temperatures in the high 30s.  It was certainly brisk as we broke camp and headed out for our 5th day in the Whites.  On tap today were the North Twin and South Twin Mountains, as well as Mt Guyot and Zeecliff Ridge.  But first we had to negotiate our way down a waterfall to get to the base of Mt Garfield.  The going was slow again through the climb down, but we did have a few relatively flat spots where we were able to pick up our pace a bit.  

By late morning we had reached the Galehead Hut, where we stopped for an early lunch. The hut staff had day old cold enchiladas that they deigned to give out to any stray thru hikers who stopped by.  Of course we took advantage.  We supplemented the enchiladas with our own food, and sat in their dinner room and ate.After lunch, we moved on and soon crested the Twins, with our best views of the day.  It soon started to get cool again and cloud over.  By mid afternoon we were hiking in a cold drizzling rain.  We ended up at a stealth site near the Zeecliff ledges and set up in the rain.  Tomorrow promises more cold and rain.

Until next time…

Day 151, Wednesday July 28, 2021

 

Lincoln NH to Garfield Ridge campsite - 10.1 miles hiked today - 1830.1 total AT miles hiked to date 

What an exhausting, exhilarating, and wonderful day.  We continued our journey through the Whites scaling several key mountains and climbing a combined 5500 feet of elevation.  Our trek took us up to the ridge line, above the tree line and into the Alpine zone.

By mid morning we had climbed up and over Little Haystack Mountain, past Liberty Springs where were we resupplied with water.  By lunchtime we had reached our first Presidential, Mount Lincoln , the first of the Franconia Ridge.  The temperatures were on the cool side, hovering in the 50s and 60s, depending on if you were in the wind or not.  The views were spectacular, as we had a rare day where visibility was clear for miles.  By far the best views of the entire trip.

From there, we continued on the ridge, up and down over Mt. Lafayette, several smaller mounts, and ultimately Mt. Garfield.  We ended up covering just over 10 miles in 12 hours of hiking.  The Alpine Zone was mostly bare of vegetation, but whenever we dipped back into the trees, it was like walking through a Christmas tree lot in both look and smell. 

Instead of while blazes on trees to guide our path, there were cairns (stacks of rocks) to help folks stay on the path when fog or snow made it difficult.  

Tomorrow we will do shorter mileage as the terrain continues to increase in difficulty, and there is more rain in the forecast.

Until next time…

Day 150, Tuesday July 27, 2021

 

Eliza Brook shelter campsite to Liberty Springs trailhead - 8.9 miles hiked today -1820.1 total AT miles hiked to date

Wow, this just isn’t getting any easier. Of the 90 miles that encompasses the White Mountains, we’ve only covered about 25 of them.  Today was the Kinsman range, covering both the north and south peaks.  The challenges continue to compound, as the climbs and descents offer new ways to challenge my one armed climbing abilities.  On top of this, there were a couple of sketchy river crossings requiring some fancy footwork and careful balance. 

By mid day, we had scaled the south peak (gorgeous views), and headed for the north peak. Along the ridge, we encountered fewer major elevation changes, but every flat section was a water/mud spot that had to be worked around or through.  By late afternoon we had made it down the backside of the range, where we encountered our first hut of the Whites at Lonesome Lake hut. The huts are scattered throughout these mountains and offer visitors the opportunity to “rough it” in the high mountains by staying in a basic bunkhouse for only $150 a night.  Needless to say, we won’t be staying at any huts.  

We made it down to the town of Lincoln by about 5:30, after crossing under the interstate and headed into town for dinner and a 5 day resupply.  Tomorrow the five of us will start our 5 day trek through the Presidentials, with Mt. Lincoln and Mt Garfield on tap first.

Today also marks the 5 month anniversary since starting out from Amicalola Falls State Park on Feb 27.  The goal now is to finish in the next 30 days or so.

Until next time…