2023 on the AT
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Well, we have arrived ready to hit the streets....or Mountains.....running...or maybe walking!
Climbs prior to the Whites, which we have only heard to be VERY tough, are not bad at all but without trail legs it was still a chore. First mountain we climbed this year is Moose Mountain. That fog and mist in the background.......will become very common this year!
And MacGyver points to the direction of the North Peak of Moose Mtn.
Not exactly sure what this AT signs is really telling us?
My pack looks to be 100 LB's! Good thing it is a flat and smooth trail right now.... but that certainly won't last!
Second night out at John Trapper Shelter. A rare flat spacious spot for tents!
Full House at Hexabaca Shelter (mile 1783)! Met some very friendly NOBO's that have been on trail 4 months and that we would see again until the end our 2023 hike. "Frizzle", "Cup of Tea", "Deceiver", "Lucky Penny", "Stinger", "Prickly Berry", "Captain Chaos".....and MacGyver is feeling right at home in the middle of this crowded shelter!...I was the only one that stayed in a tent....and it rained :(
MacGyver Climbing Mt. Cube on Day 4 with some cool views up top!
Hiked Mt. Moosilauke SOBO day 5 and it was tough but with some great views of the falls!
Yes, we did! Hit the 1,800-mile marker today June 16th!
The Blues Brothers back on the Trail :)
Semi-Slackpacked the Kinsmen Mtn on day 6, June 17. and it is a good thing, tough handover foot climbs in rain and mud! Welcome Hostel dropped most of gear at the Notch Hostel where we stayed after doing the Kinsmen
Met these 3 NOBOS at the Notch Hostel and would hike with and around them for the next few weeks
(R to L: "Sure Foot", Blue Bear" and "Splash")
Tough climbs but with great views as we hike over Mt. Lafayette, Liberty and Garfield day 7 and 8!
MacGyver's look, reflecting on the summit he just climbed, says it all!! Job Well Done!
Great views from the top of South Twin Mtn!
After descending South Twin Mtn. we stayed at an AMC campsite, Eathan Pond on June 20th. Platforms were okay, but the view of the pond...Awesome!
Okay....starting on June 21st we decided to do a bit of "Platinum Blazing" at the AMC Huts. It was not the plan at all in the beginning for various reasons.....but the bad weather we are experiencing and lack of camp sites in the Whites; it made a lot of sense :)
Stayed at the AMC Highland Center June 21st and it was quite a place......and we celebrated MacGyver's Birthday!
On day 11, on the way to "Lake Of The Cloud" Hut, we had some good views around, of, and on top such mountains as Mt. Webster, Mt. Jackson, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Franklin.....and a pile of snow!
Day 12, June 23rd's highlight was summitting Mt. Washington. Its legendary for having very unpredictable, sometime dangerous weather but we hit it on perfect day...and definitely perfect compared to what we have already been thru in New Hampshire!
From the summit of Mt. Washington to the Madison Hut (where we stayed tonight) was only another 6 miles but the rock scrambles down were brutal...but the Hut they had Veggie Pot Pie for dinner!
Day 13, June 24 we hiked up, over and down Mt. Madison! Pics to follow shortly but let me just say that this was one of the toughest descents so far. Jagged black rock proved very difficult! Made it to Gorham for the night...thinking about the pending "Wildcats" ahead!
Day 14, June 25 we did the Wildcats. That first day wasn't too bad but that did change! This is MacGyver and I enjoying our first summit......forgot to mention that the Wildcats had 4 summits! But also, some good views
Stayed at Craford Notch Hut after the Wildcats for a much needed, inside a building, rest! Also met NOBO Thru Hiker "Big T" from Mississippi.
Well....the weather had been generally bad the whole hike; but things got much worse the next days (June 26 and 27).....dangerously worse
This is not a picture that we took (because we were too busy trying to stay alive!) but almost like one of the crossings we made (but ours was in deeper rapids). We crossed a flooded Rattle River several times with one crossing getting worse than the other. Made us pause a bit.......
June 27th we slipped and limped, soaking wet to U.S. 2 in Gorham and stayed at the Barn Hostel managed and owned by Paul. But about 2 miles or so before we reached U.S. 2 we passed by the Rattle River Shelter....and it looked like this....
Of course, our initial reaction, cold and tired, was "What Kind of Long-Distance Hiker" would violate so many unwritten rules of hiking etiquette!!!
Then we found out that those staying in the shelter (for multiple days at a time) were AMC trail volunteers and State Park staff helping out to shore up the trail as best they could during the unprecedented flooding that was going on.
MY TOTAL APOLOGIZE for jumping to conclusions without know the facts. Thank you for what you do!!
Okay...coming back to The Barn Hostel.....MacGyver and I fell in love with it at first glance! Growing up in the 60's and early 70's, this Hippy vibe that we saw and felt, made us feel right at home :). In fact, I think I stayed at a place like this when I hitchhiked to Southern California in 1972! :)
Best laid plans??