August 31, 2012

Start: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

I felt spoiled today! We woke up to the hut croo playing guitar music and to a breakfast of oatmeal, quiche, bacon, and warm coffee cake. The plan for the day was 14.8 miles back up to the summit of Mt. Washington and then over past Mt. Clay, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, over Mt. Madison and down to Pinkham Notch. The weather report given to us by the croo at breakfast though called for even higher winds than yesterday (over 80 mph) and thunderstorms. Almost our entire day today was along exposed summits and ridges. We decided that we would climb to the summit of Washington and make a decision then. We packed up, left the hut, and I made the 1.5 mile climb up 1200 feet in 45 minutes. It was a difficult climb because the wind was whipping us around like we were rag dolls. I was sniffling the entire way because my nose wouldn't stop running and the wind was blowing the snot across my face... In the words of Brian, "Snot very pretty." Haha. Walking across the summit, I was swaying back and forth, my movements in full control of the wind. I finally blew into the summit building and met Brian (why is he so fast?!??). We sat for a while and kept an eye on the weather. We watched as the thick, dark clouds descended on the top of the mountain. The wind had reached speeds of over 84 mph. We already hiked the 14.8 miles we had planned to do today when we did a section hike in 2010. After taking that thought and the weather into account, we asked ourselves if we really wanted to take the risk and do the hike... The answer... NOPE! We left the summit building and walked the 20 feet up a rock pile to the actual summit sign (which we already have at least 7 or 8 pictures together at, but needed this one because it was the climax of our journey). The wind was brutal. We had to crouch down as we climbed the rocks and then we each had to sit as we took pictures of each other. Coming down, the wind literally took control of my leg and smashed it into one of the rocks. I instantly had a swollen, bruised lump on my leg. We blew over to the hiker shuttle building and purchased tickets for the shuttle that takes hikers down the Mt. Washington Auto Road to Pinkham Notch. It turned out that we were not the only hikers with this idea. A full shuttle went down just as we arrived and our shuttle sold out too! Just as our shuttle pulled out of the parking spot, the rain started, then the thunder and lightening started. I think we made the right choice! We arrived at Pinkham Notch and spent some time in the visitor center. As I looked at the model of the Presidentials with the white blazed AT traversing over and around their high peaks, my eyes filled with tears. Our journey was over for now. Brian and I hugged... Although, we didn't make it to our intended destination of Mt. Katahdin, we made it to Pinkham Notch. We walked over 600 miles this summer and spent 70 amazing days together surrounded by the beauty of nature. I've laughed, I've cried, I sang, I yelled, I've been awed, I've been scared, I've been proud, I've been sad, but most importantly, we have both ended our journey happy and healthy. What more could I possibly ask for?

End: Pinkham Notch - stayed at Top Notch Inn in Gorham, NH

Peace Be The Journey
~Flicka

I will be writing a reflection of our trip after I gather my thoughts and emotions a bit more. I will also write about the gear I used and what I loved and hated about the gear.