October 28, 2011

It's October, right?  Yes, but they are calling for 4-6 inches of snow this weekend in my home town on Long Island and anywhere from 8-15 inches anywhere along the AT.  What's worse than this much snow in October?  The fact that this was my last weekend for a hike this season.  For over the last month, every weekend has had an event and the same thing stands for the next 2 months.  I have been counting down to this particular weekend for my "last hike of the season" since early September.  There is something about the crunching leaves, dirt, sticks, and rocks under my feet and the fresh air upon my face that makes me feel uninhibited, free, happy, and grounded.  I need the trail as much as I need air.  It is my release from the everyday hustle and bustle. 

Our plan for this weekend was initially to leave out of Harpers Ferry, WV heading north on the AT.  We were planning to hike 7.3 miles to the Ed Garvey Shelter, stopping at Weaverton Cliffs along the way.  We were going to spend the night and then hike back to Harpers Ferry and drive back to Long Island to be home for work on Monday.  This is a hike we've done before, but being that it is late October, we figured the weather would be better in this area than up north.  Go figure!

After seeing that Harpers Ferry was looking at 30 degree weather and rain on Saturday, I thought, "I'll look at NH.  I mean if it's that cold in WV, can't be much worse in NH, right?" The forecast for NH called for 27 degrees, BUT sun... So, now the plan was drive to NH, hike Mt. Moosilauke, sleep at Beaver Brook Shelter, and then hike back to the car and return home.

Then... the forecast changed to  5-8 inches of snow in Harpers Ferry and 5-8 inches on Mt. Moosilauke.  My next thought... something nearby, such as the lemon squeezer in Harriman State Park.  The plan would be to hike from Arden Valley Rd (Elk Pen) on the AT to the next road crossing on Arden Valley Road (5.5 miles), turn around and hike back to Fingerboard Shelter, spend the night, and return to the car in the morning.  Well, that forecast is worse... 8-12 inches, and HEAVY winds!!  IN OCTOBER! 

So now this weekend consists of the next best thing... reading, researching gear for next years 1100+ mile hike, and sleeping.