[at-l] Ready's Hike August22 TD 70

[kahley7@ptd.net (kahley)]

You can write to Ready!  readyhiker@yahoo.com



We awakened with the sound of the South Jacob's Brook
just below our tentsite. We'd heard plenty noises from
critters, too, but alas, no moose.
We were packed up and walking just past 8:00. The first
bit of trail was a climb, going up Mt. Cube - our biggest
ascent for the day. It was a tough one, with several ledges
where one could easily think they'd reached the summit.
Most of our climb was over whaleback rocks, but because
the weather was dry, the footing was sure. The angle of ascent,
especially for the first and last parts of the climb were quite steep.
The descent was also steep... and long! My leg held up pretty
well, and we continued on.
Up and over Atwell Hill, then up Orr Hill. We stopped to eat lunch
at the new Orr Shelter. This one features a "medieval" privy - it
actually has a drawbridge for door!
We were bound and determined to keep our lunch break short
today, but we have concluded that shelter time is no better than
town time, it was 45 minutes before we were exited from there.
We met Shawn on his way in as we were leaving. "No water here," we tell him.
Just before climbing Mt Mist, at route 25C, we came to a stream.
We were out of water by then, but this was a welcome find. We
met Tim and Heather, southbunders without trailnames yet. They
told us about the rather grim sounding water situation ahead of us
in the Whites and in Maine,
The New England area is facing a drought, and by today's hike we
could see the effects of this. Apart from the scarcity of drinking
water sources drinking, the vegetation is dried out and in may case,
dead. Brown, curled leaves hang from limbs everywhere one looks.
  I wonder about the long term ramifications - vegetation dependent
animals are surely having a tough time right now, and will surely
continue adversely through the winter. So sad.
We made it to the summit of Mt Mist and saw that we have only
  2.5 miles to go to get to Glencliff. If we hurried, we could pick up
  our maildrop before the PO closes. If we missed it we can't pick
it up until the next morning, delaying our start.
Spur hiked fast at my prodding. I assured him that I'd be just behind
him. We hiked swiftly for a short time, before Spur sees a remarkable
spider web to photograph. I surge ahead,
For almost an hour, I hiked at a trot wherever the terrain allowed it. I kept
hearing the sound of traffic on the road we were to cross - surely
I was almost there, But the trail did not cross the road. I kept
turning around to see if Spur had caught me yet- no sign of Spur.
Finally at 10 till 5, I came to the road, I was dismayed to see
how far away the PO was from where I was standing. It had been
fine to run on the trail, but running on the hard road surface was
something my leg would never have allowed. I resigned myself to
the fact that we would be getting that package tomorrow, instead.
Just then spur emerged from the woods, an incredulous look on
his face to see that I'd beaten him to the road. No time to talk.
He was off at a trot to get the package, while I walked along the
road far behind him now,
By the time I had reached the Hikers Welcome hostel, right across
the street from the PO, Spur was coming out of the PO, holding
the package victoriously over his head!
We went into the shelter, where lots of hikers had already arrived:
RiffRaff, One More Hiker, Jesse James, Bag o' Tricks, Mala and
his dog, Tucker, and a few others whose names I didn't catch.
I got a shower in the outdoor stall and ran a load of laundry. The hostel
has really seen some improvements since last year. Very exciting for
Big John, Rhia and Packrat! We saw the kids (Chrstian and Kathy)
only briefly, but they look good too! They've really grown since last summer!
Their gear business, Moonbow, seems to be taking off. Sample
tents, packs and other hiking items are on display throughout
the hostel grounds. They also stock all kids of hiker staples
and cold drinks, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, candy bars, etc.
They have one of the biggest and best organized hiker boxes I've seen yet.
We helped ourselves to cold drinks. I drank 2 SOBE's and Spur
drank 1 SOBE and 3 cans of soda in the first half hour of arriving,
Mala offered to pick up some things at the grocers for us so I had
him get a 6-pack of Cokes for Sour. (They're his favorite, and all
they had here was Sam's Club cola. Spur drank 4Cokes before
the evening was through!
Some of the hikers were having a barbecue, and invited us to join
them. Spur had a burger and hot dog, while I ate a hot dog! That's
a hungry vegetarian for you!
We chatted with everyone there, including Shawn, who stopped in
on his way up to the next shelter. It was a great evening,
Spur had pitched the little nomad at the corner of the hostel property,
and that's where we retreated to write our journals before bedtime.
Tomorrow it'll be Moosilauke - I can't wait!


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