[at-l] Hike with Pittsburgh and Hoops

[ARTCLOUTMN@aol.com]

Yesterday 7/10/00,  Woke about 5:30 AM.  The rain did not deter me from a 
little swim in the lake. Then I dressed in my hiking clothes.  After 
breakfast I made sandwiches and packed my daypack before hoping in the car 
for a ride to North Woodstock NH.
    Arrived at the desegnated parking lot about 8:05 where Pittsburgh and 
Hoops were standing on the sidewalk waiting for my arrival.  I hopped out of 
the car an greeted the guys.  Pittsburgh asked if I had eaten breakfast.  I 
said yes but i could do it again.  In the restaurant were three or four 
Northbound Thru Hikers.  These people had started in February and March.  
Rumor has it that 40+ GAME hikers have entered New Hampshire already this 
season.
    After a nice breakfast with some fun conversation we shuttled my van to 
the Laffeyette Place parking lot at the north end of Franconia Notch.  Then 
started our hike from the Flume parking lot at about 10:00 AM.  The rain had 
stopped and the sky was clear.
    It is a long uphill walk on the AT to the Summit of Mt Liberty.  We took 
a break on the prch of the Liberty Springs Tentsite caretaker's tent.  Had a 
brief lunch and greated two Southbounders (from Georgia) and two section 
hiking North Bounders (Tarheels and Trail Spotter).  We got a refill of water 
from the great spring at the tentsite then continued toward the summit of Mt 
Liberty.  When we reached the ridge we turned north to follow th AT along the 
Franconia Ridge.
    For the next 2 miles we were in lo growing spruce with no views but ther 
was a cool breeze and very comfortable hiking.  As we began our climb of 
Little Haystack Mountain the trees grew shorter until at the summit we had 
reached tree line.  We could look north to the summits of mt Lincoln and 
Lafayette north west to Cannon Moutain and south to Liberty and Mt Flume.  
(This is part of the view that is seen on the home page of Trail Place 
website.)
    We continued slowly down Little Haystack the up Mount Lincoln.  When we 
reached the top of Lincoln the fog started to roll in.  Pretty soon our view 
was obliterated by heavy fog and mist.  The winds began ti increase in 
strength.  We decended Lincoln then climbed an Un-named Peak.  Decended and 
then climbed to the summit of Lafayette still following the AT.  By this time 
my hands were blue from the cold.  I ducked down behind a rock to get out my 
fleece and wind jacked.  Hoops added a jacked to his outer layers while 
Pittsburgh started hiking down the Briddle Path toward the AMC GreenLeaf Hut. 
 We reached the Hut about 5:30 PM.  Took off some layers.  Had some more 
food.  Refilled our water bottles.  Talked with some guests then started down 
the mountain.  We took many breaks on our way down.  The fog began to lift.  
    By the time we reached the Lafayette Place parking lot the sky was blue, 
the sun was getting low in the sky, I was getting very hungry and it was 
almost 8:30 PM.  We were hiking at about 1 mile per hour through the hikes.  
That seems to be the average rate for walking this rocky steep trails.
    It was a great day with some good friends.  I probably won't see 
Pittsburgh again until next year.  But I hope to line up a hike with Hoops 
later in the summer or maybe in the fall.

                                            Art
 
* From the AT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

==============================================================================