Thursday 23rd August

I was awake early but I must admit it was lovely to sleep in a big bed.
I went down stairs at 6.30 used the loo then went back to my bed to start sorting out my stuff. I have too much i always have too much, I carry too much. Once I was packed I took my pack down stairs and weighed it. 46lb I’m probably one of the heaviest on trail and you do not win prizes for being heavy but it’s always aground this weight. I made coffee and had a good go at my ice cream that I forgot to eat last night. grrrr.
Soon it was shuttle time, I  put my pack in the car with my fellow hikers. We were being driven by a friend of Paul’s and wow, how knowledgeable She was born & bred here and so knew every hill, and trail.
She told us about the family that owned all of the land. The man who built the road to Mt Washington and the man who laid the tracks for the train.
Soon we were back at pinkly notch . We thanked our driver as we removed our packs from the boot.
I hoisted mine up and walked across the road Samaritan and his crew headed the other way May be getting a coffee or something . As I stepped foot on the trail I noticed there was a definite chill in the air and shivered. Next minute Samaritan returned as they had headed the wrong way. Sasquatch and short mile zoomed to the front and took off. I walked with Samaritan for a while as he was a bit fed up trying to keep up with the other two as they are much faster. we were chatting away, the next minute I slipped and was about to face plant a rock, but somehow I managed to twist my neck and avoid the rock but gashed my arm and leg. Fuck fuck I said and a few words.

Samaritan was amazed that I didn’t smash my face
“Great save , you okay ?”Yes I’m. okay more embarrassed than hurt although my leg stung.
We pushed on a short way until the climbing started, scrambling at first then proper climbing. Hand over hand . I was busy concentrating when a dog ran by me  and shot up vertical.. OMG  how did he just do that.. A dog !! shortly followed by his owner!.
I continued on slowly , as slow is safe and safe is slow .Every now and then we would reach a small summit with great views. Of course Washington was clear. and you could see the  road snaking its way UP

This mountain range is called Wildcats and is a fairly famous ski slopes. I continued on it was over 2 hours before I reached the summit  with its  ski lift and gondolas.
It was still running, bugger we could have taken that lol.
I took a few pictures then carried on as there were 3 More climbs in the Wildcat group .

I pushed on passing several sobos and day hikers, several mountains later I came to a clearing with great views . There was a couple with their dog as they seemd local they were able to tell me about the different mountains and how far  they were,
“It’s .7 down to the Hut  and 1.7 up the next climb which is pretty shitty!
Okay onwards and downwards as I wanted to get to “Imp shelter” at least another 10 miles away.
The down was really sketchy, slippery with loose gravel. after my fall earlier I was being more careful so it took me almost an hour to get down. Once down I was presented with two stunning lakes or ponds
The hut was .1 away but as i wanted to visit it i took the blue blazed trail.

When i arrived I noticed the familiar packs lent against the wall. So wasn’t supprised to see the gang inside.

Have the cake Snail it’s good and so is the soup.
I ordered both plus a chunk of bread.
Yep the soup was good one of the best as the other have been a bit thin. the cake was really really good. Once I had finished my food i went to the loo.
Omg they are pretty stunning . clean and they look fairly recently built as they still smell of pine.
The hut looks that it was a recent build too, A few pennies to stay !!
I grabbed water then began the challenge of the next climb. I hadn’t gone too far when I met several people coming down good luck they all said.
It was another hour before I came to the top of this one  and it was now hot!
I spent the rest of the day climbing and descending but every now and then I was rewarded with an amazing view

I was pushing when I almost ran into a rabbit it stopped looked at me then ran off.
It was closely followed by a Martin. I tried to video it but he was far too fast, so lovely to see.
I decided to take a 10 minute break. I glugged some lemonade and ate a snickers . I was just about to move on when iron man came by. I fell in behind him, he was fast on the straights but omg on the tricky climbs he was useless. I had to wait at the top of each one as he climbed painfully down. but I have these moments  too so I patient , eventually it flattened and he took off.  Thank God as I seemed to have lost a fair bit of time.
Typical I was tired and it was still at least a mile to go, I pushed on shortly came to a v shaped gorge although I was was vertical so your walking along the slant.  Then I’m laying on my back again fuck fuck I wasn’t hurt but I heard a click which turned out to be a snap.

the force of me going on arse caused my hip belt buckle to snap. That’s a big FUCK. as now my packs weight was all on my shoulders and because I had watered up it was close to 48lb again . I shouted a few more obscenities to the trees and struggled on with my broken pack . At last a sign to the campsite. it read 800 yards thank god for that. but I walked and walked and walked it was closer to .8 of a mile.
I found the care taker who looked stressed.!
So you want to camp?
I did think that was obvious, I resisted the temptation to say something FUNNY!
She pointed out the dinning area , Bear box and privy. She then walked me to a camp spot.
The boys were here plus ironman. she pointed to a postage stamp piece of ground.
I laughed. I can’t get my tent in there as I’m large. What about the big empty tent platform?
“Oh I’m expecting a big group so I’m keeping it free your have to put your tent in front of mine”
I followed her back, Yep I could get it in there, but it wasn’t very level. You would of thought being here all day the caretakers could spend a bit of time on the tent pads ( bare earth) just levelling them .
I was tired I had a spot. I threw up.my tent then took.my food and chair down to the eating area. Sasquatch short mile and Samaritan where still eating . I said that was cheap $5 for the spot and ,$ 5 for here to read me a bed time story they laughed.
It was late by the time I finished cooking but I did get to see a wonderful sunset
I finished off then made my way back to my tent. and was soon asleep.

Start. 1871
Finish. 1885
Miles. 14
miles left 306