Day 156

08/03/12 - near Rattle River - ≈1,883 miles

Night hiking when you think you're not going to need to is the worst.  Get me out of the Whites.  So beat.

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Day 155

08/02/12 - Wildcat Mountain - 1,867.8 miles

The climb up to the first peak of Wildcat Mountain, for we are not yet finished ascending, has been the most difficult and my least favorite climb so far on this thru-hike.  While climbing, you experience many many ups and downs, all of which being extremely steep and technical.  It took us over 3 hours to go go 3 miles, and I felt like I have actually gone 13 miles.  This has been my most difficult and least favorite climb.  After 3 miles, we are set up in camp as the sun is setting, drinking tea and eating a candy dinner.  I think I am ready to be out of the Whites and into Maine... but will we ever escape these notorious mountains?

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Day 154

08/01/12 - [Gorham] - 1,864.8 miles

August first.  Our five monthiversary on the Trail.  Today we woke up and both felt a bit of "hiker hangover."  15 miles over the Presidentials will do that to you, I guess.  We made it the 6 or so miles into Pinkham Notch.  Then decided to call our town day early and head into Gorham this afternoon instead of tomorrow night.  Less miles, but in the end I think a wise decision.  Five months feels like five years to me.  Springer Mountain was so long ago and so far ago.  And now we are in August.  The month in which we will be climbing Mount Katahdin.  What?!  We have been watching some of the London Olympics these past two town stays, and seeing the athletes' pride and accomplishment and struggle and victory... I wonder if we will experience a similar emotion on our medal stand.  On Mount Katahdin.

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So much good.

Day 153

07/31/12 - near Osgood Tentsite - ≈1,859 miles

What.  A.  Day.  Passed three huts.  Climbed Mt. Washington.  Climbed Mt. Madison.  Night hiked on a ridge.  Did about 15 miles.  Waved at the people riding the Cog, and a little boy gave us a thumbs down.  Mt. Washington was crazy busy.  Waiting line for the summit sign.  Pizza.  Mt. Madison was epic.  EPIC.  Mount Doom.  Rohan.  Awesomeness with the clouds crashing over the peak.  The sun was setting and Mt. Washington and Mt. Adams were appearing and disappearing into the sky.  Unbelievably incredible.  Still cannot believe what good weather we had today.  So thankful.  God is good.  Cool stealth spot tonight just below treeline.  Had to walk a narrow little path into the woods to a tiny clearing just big enough for our tents.  Pinkles Notch tomorrow!


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This moment of watching the sunset while on the summit of Mt. Madison with waves of clouds breaking over the rocks around us... one of the coolest moments of my life.

Day 152

07/30/12 - near Mizpah Spring Hut - ≈1,844.2 miles

Slept in.  Coffee & donuts.  Gas station resupply.  Gas station second breakfast of Green Mountain Coffee... Wild Mountain Blueberry and more donuts.  Met up with Dr. Bruce!  Ate lunch and talked with him before heading back to the Trail.  Turned out to be a beautiful day as we climbed Mt. Webster and Mt. Jackson in the afternoon.  Hiked until dark struggling to find a stealth site.  MOUNT WASHINGTON tomorrow.

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Webster.

Photographical update

Haven't had much luck posting videos lately. I probably have about ten or so lined up waiting for a good wifi hotspot.

Doing everything from a phone can be a bit frustrating at times, but then I have to remember that I am blogging FROM A TELEPHONE. Life ain't so bad.

The White Mountains have been breathtakingly difficult and rewarding.

Here are some photos from the past week or so. In no particular order.