August 29, 2012

Start: Unmarked Campsite (near Zealand Falls Hut)

We woke up with a lot of excitement today! The plan was to end our 14.3 mile day at Mizpah Hut, which was the first hut both of us had been to (on different occasions). Just before the hut, we would pass our first white blaze too. We got an early start because we wanted to get to Mizpah with time to enjoy it. The beginning of the day was relatively flat until the descent to Crawford Notch. We crossed the street and up we went. We climbed nearly 3000 feet and summitted Mt. Webster (3,910 feet) and Mt. Jackson (4,052 feet) along the way. It was beautiful and clear so we had 360 degree views! It left me speechless to look up and see Mt. Washington with it's peak hidden in the clouds. Mt. Washington was my first mountain, my first backpacking trip, my first trip with Brian, and where I broke my leg back in 2008. It's the place where I knew for sure Brian and I would get married (since he carried me to the peak rather than leaving me : ) ). Looking at that mountain, it is still so surreal that we have walked here from West Virginia. I remember back on June 23rd, walking hand in hand with Brian down the C and O Canal Towpath, talking about how we could not wait to get to Mt. Washington and what it would feel like. Now, we are almost there!!! Once I got past the surreal feeling, I felt proud of us for making it this far on our journey. I felt thankful that we had this opportunity. I feel fulfilled, content, and free... Some of the best feelings I've ever experienced. From the peak of Mt. Jackson, we could also see our intended destination, Mizpah Hut. We walked the 1.7 miles to the hut and as soon as we reached it, I let out a loud "Woohoo!!!" We spent the afternoon in the hut eating the delicious baked goods they have for $1 and soup that they have for $2 (for the first bowl, $1 for refills). Nauman Tentsite is right near Mizpah and we are staying there tonight on tent platform 7... The first tent platform that Brian and I ever stayed on together (and the platform that Brian has stayed on numerous times). What a day!!! Good climbs, beautiful views, our first white blaze, our first hut, and our first tent platform.

End: Mizpah Hut- Nauman Tentsite

Peace Be The Journey
~Flicka