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August 12

jpetesd3 Comments

Day 135 Kinsman Notch. Zero day 1800.4 miles total

Turns out fall that tweaked knee actually hurt thigh. Had slipped with right foot which shot straight ahead. Landed sitting on heel of left foot with knee pointed straight ahead.

First fall early in hike was exact same thing. Apparently this one stretched my quad more than it’s designed for. Lower thigh is sore but seems better. Knee OK.

Didn’t miss hiking through clouds on tops of mountains today.

Zero day gave me some time to plan out hike through Whites. Next town, Gorham, NH is 91 miles away. Probably take a week.

Have a reservation at Mitzpah Spring Hut (50 miles) for Wednesday night. The Appalachian Mountains Club operates a series of Huts (about 10 of them) through the Whites. For $130 you get a bank, dinner, and breakfast. Hold about 100 people and are usually booked.

Mitzpah Spring Hut is 6 miles before Mt Washington so at least I’ll eat good before tackling the beast of the northeast!

The Huts offer work for stay for thru-hikers. You wash dishes (or some other chore) for a couple hours and get leftovers from guest dining and a space to sleep on dining room floor. Can’t mingle with guests but it’s free. Take 2 or 3 hikers per day at each Hut. I may try it just so I can say I did.

Happy trails!

August 11

jpetesd9 Comments

Day 134 NH 25 to Kinsman Notch (9.3 miles) 1800.4 miles total
Strong thunderstorm last night. Rained pretty hard for a bit.

Walking toward the light.


Wicked hard climb to top of Mt Mooslauke. As hard to climb as spell! 3800 ft up in 5.5 miles. That’s climbing. There was no down…all up.

First above tree line action.


Got a bit cool and windy on top.

Dartmouth Outdoor Club maintains this section of trail. They win the prize for nicest signs.


Once again wishing I knew what peaks I”m looking at. There should be an app for that!


The descent was 2500 ft in 3.8 miles. I go almost as fast uphill as down because I don’t fall (so far) going up.


This down was nasty. Very wet and rocky. Not a good combo. Slipped and fell on my butt 6 times. Tweaked my left knee and bruised my ego. Discovering my slow gear doesn’t work well.

Hiked down beside water I pic below. Started as a trickle. Waterfall most of way down. Ended up as river at bottom.


Finally made it down alive. Got picked up very quickly by Scott and Leslie, a really nice couple from coastal Maine up doing some hiking.

Drove me right to hotel. While getting my stuff out, I realized didn’t have my walking stick. I get comments daily on the stick. Kind of my identity. Just today guy said he’d heard about hiker with nice stick…me!

Scott asked how long I’d had stick. Told him every mile. “Get in and let’s go get it”. Drove 5 miles back up Mtn. Stick was sitting against post, right where I had set it. Thanks so much, Scott and Leslie!

Not sure about tomorrow. Knee is pretty sore right now. Stiffened up as evening went on. Have I told you falling sucks?!!

Happy trails!

August 10

jpetesd7 Comments

Day 133 Mt Cube Tentsite to NH 25 (14.4 miles)) 1791.1 miles total

400 miles to go! If all goes well I hope to summit Katahdin September 7…just in time for NFL opening night! 4 weeks…100 miles/week.

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Was a bit foggy down below this AM. I’m at 2900 ft.

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About half way through today’s hike I came across a gravel road. Pickup parked there with a bunch of water and juice in plastic jugs. Looks like trail magic but no one around. I loitered to no avail.

Less than 1/4 mile up trail I come across…The Omelet Man. He’s got a tarped in kitchen going on.

He had read a book about the trail. Was fascinated by trail magic concept. Retired last year. Now is out here every day during hiking season from 8AM until 7 or 8PM.

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He has water, juice, cookies, candy, and makes omelets. Lots of them! Ham, onion, green pepper and however many eggs you want. I had 3. Another guy had 6!

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He even has a banana tree!

 

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Spending night in my tent at Hikers Welcome Hostel about 1/4 mile from trail. They have bunk rooms, shower, privy, and a small, honor system snacks and soda area.

Met a trail legend. Grey Beard is trying to become oldest thru-hiker at 82. Cool guy. Talked with him for a while. 37 years US Navy.

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Tomorrow is 9 miles to North Woodstock. It’s only 9 miles but a tough 9 miles. Up one side and down the other of a big mountain.

Happy trails!

 

August 9

jpetesd2 Comments

Day 132 Dead Tired Tentsite to Mt Cube Tentsite (13.5 miles) 1776.7 miles total

I think Earth is giving me a preview of the Whites. There was no more hiking on top of ridge lines. You go up the mountain, down the mountain, and up the next.

Physically tough but the views are very rewarding. This is the “precipitous drop-off” I stopped short of yesterday.

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Peak behind me is Smarts Mountain. Heading there next.

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I had lunch on a ledge with incredible views. Spent an hour there. Buena vista!

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Possibility of rain this afternoon. Hope it blows over.

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Got to the top of Smarts Mtn about 2:40. There is a Fire Wardens cabin that hikes can stay in. Also supposed to be a spring 0.2 miles in front.

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I say supposed to be a spring. When I got to cabin a young couple who had passed by while I was on lunch break were there. They had walked down to spring and not flowing. Just a muddy puddle.

Not good. Couple had just drank last of their water and I had about 10 oz left. An expected and needed water source is dry. Hasn’t happened to me since early GA.

Guidebook says a brook 4 miles down. Will take a bit more than an hour and half. Made it there with no water left. Couple arrived shortly after. Very happy to see clean, flowing water. Only second time I’ve filled from non-spring source. Fingers crossed.

Few sprinkles late in day but anything heavy missed here.

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Got an initial plan together to tackle Whites. Will take 6 or 7 days if weather good.

Have about 25 miles to North Woodstock, NH. That is start of Whites. Should get there early Friday. Rest, resupply, laundry. Start Whites on Saturday.

Happy trails!

August 8

jpetesd3 Comments

Day 131 Hanover, NH to Dead Tired Tentsite (15.5 miles) 1763.2 miles total

Carol, thanks for the use of your sherpa, I mean husband, for the past several days. Good to catch up, drink some beers, have a few laughs, and knock out some miles with a friend of more than 50 years. Thanks, Skaare! Now about that splitting out wide thing…

Sherpa and I parted ways shortly after 10AM. Had to wait for a sporting goods store to open in Hanover (cool town). Needed new sock liners (thin sock under wool sock). Original 2 pairs had holes in toes. Only lasted 1750 miles!

Dartmouth may be smarter than Northern State University but I’m pretty sure we draw a bigger crowd for football games.

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Hitched a ride into Etna, NH for lunch. Small town 0.8 miles from trail. General Store with a deli. Great sandwiches, etc.

Had lunch with Subway. He is Irish and a retired police officer from Stoney Brook, NY. I’ve seen him on and off for a couple weeks. Spent more than an hour chatting. Nice guy. We both have noticed significantly fewer “old guys” since New England.

Out of Etna is a climb up to Moose Mtn.

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After Moose Mtn was a steep climb to Holts Ledge. I stopped to tent shortly before top. I was beat and guide book mentioned “precipitous drop-off” at peak. Thought it prudent to not be dead tired while going over!

Finding a flat spot to tent on a steep part of a mountain is nearly impossible. This is my most uneven spot yet!

Hoping to get started into Whites on Friday. Right now, weather to then sounds good.

Happy trails!

August 7

jpetesd4 Comments

Day 130 Woodstock Stage Rd to Hanover, NH (21.0 miles) 1747.7 miles total

Crossed The Connecticut River into NH today.  Just NH and ME left to go!

Looking back at Suicide Six Ski Area.  If you want the 411 on name, read Dick Mallery’s comment yesterday.  Thanks, Dick!

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Was thinking today would be nice, easy stroll. Not…until last 2.5 miles. That was on streets and roads through Norwich, VT and into Hanover, NH.

One of first houses entering Norwich had a cooler by road marked “Trail Magic”. Cooler seemed very light so I assumed empty this late in day. Didn’t even open but lady out stacking firewood at house said there should be watermelon. There was. Refreshing treat!

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Hanover, NH is home of Dartmouth University. Craving a soda after 21 miles so asked a young lady near campus where closest convenience store is. She said I could go into student union and get a soda. I asked if a homeless looking guy could just walk in. She chuckled and said “Yes, we’re non-judgmental.” I walked 2 blocks to Circle K instead. Had a Mountain Dew while waiting for Sherpa to pick me up.

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Sherpa did a little hiking himself today. He drove an hour and half to Mt Stratton, VT’s highest point. He’s trying to get to as many state high points as can so figured to knock off while here.

He was able to drive within 1.5 miles of top. From there, pretty tough walk to top and back. His knees were barking and was walking like me when he picked me up!

Sherpa leaves tomorrow so back to reality. About 50 miles to White Mountains where things really get real.

Happy trails!

August 6

jpetesd3 Comments

Day 129 River Rd to Woodstock Stage Rd (20.3 miles) 1726.7 miles total

I’ve come across 2 places where there were metal rungs anchored in the rocks to facilitate climbing. Today was the first time there was a ladder. I was heading down. Not sure how that would have worked if ladder not there.


Got temporarily disoriented for a bit today. Long, complicated story but I walked an extra half mile or so. Hate when that happens!

Hiked up and over hill below. Very close to a small ski area called Suicide Six. Bit of a strange name.


Pretty nice to come out of woods at end of hike and have Sherpa there with ice cold sodas and a ride. Easy to get spoiled.

Hoping to reach NH, or pretty darn close, tomorrow. Working on getting myself psyched up for White Mountains. Will be there in a few days.

Happy trails!

August 5

jpetesd4 Comments

Day 128 Killington, VT Zero Day 1706.4 miles total
Zero’d today. Off and on rain. Supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Did a bit of touring. Woodstock, VT and Queechee Gorge (below).


Back to our local spot for dinner and drinks. Our bartender, Mercedes, and everyone there made us feel like locals.


Planning on walking back to Woodstock tomorrow.

Happy trails!

August 4

jpetesd5 Comments

Day 127 Robinson Brook to River Road (17.0 miles) 1706.4 miles total

You guys have pledged almost $27 for each mile I hike. We’re over $45,000 now and will be close to $60,000 for charities when I finish. Utterly amazing. Thanks so much for your support.

Rained a bit in mountains last night. Trail a bit wet and muddy.

Hiked with the “If I could hike 500 miles” song going through my head. Even sang (maybe more like chanted) it aloud a few times.

Sherpa met me at a road crossing 11 miles into hike. Took a half hour break. Slugged down 2 Mountain Dews, a Coke, and a tortilla stuffed with jerky. This eating/drinking whatever you want and can is way cool!


VT has been really weird in one aspect. There are no animals. I’ve not seen a deer. Pretty sure haven’t even seen a squirrel. Rare to hear a bird. It’s a bit eerie and almost feels like I’m in a Stephen King movie.

Below is Thundering Falls. Picture makes it look like a river but was a quite impressive waterfall. Comes down a rock face.


Staying in Killington tonight. Ate dinner at an interesting place, Back Behind Restaurant and BBQ. Good food, cold beer, and very nice staff and owners.

Rain forecast for most of day tomorrow. If that doesn’t change will zero and play tourist. Sherpa has wheels. Those car things come in real handy sometimes.

Happy trails!

August 3

jpetesd3 Comments

Day 126 VT 140 to Robinson Brook (12.6 miles) 1689.4 miles total

If I can walk 1690 miles then I can walk 500 more. Making progress! I can remember when I had walked 500 miles and had 1690 to go. Like this much better!

12.6 mile hike today was relatively easy. Only took 4 3/4 hours. Light pack helps.

View of Rutland Airport.

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Met a SOBO (hiking ME to GA) today who anxiously told me he had just seen a bear and 2 cubs. I excitedly said “Cool. Where at?” He said wasn’t response he was expecting but were heading up mountain 2 to 3 minutes ago. Unfortunately I didn’t see them.

Came out of forest to a gravel road. Sherpa waiting. Nice to finish and have cold Mountain Dew! We met another NOBO, Giggles, who had started her hike on April 1. Day after my start.

Had good dinner, a few beers, and played trivia game at bar. Team Sherpa and Just Pete won a round but choked in finals with $50 gift card on the line.

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Tomorrow’s hike will begin with climb up and over Killington. Sherpa and I will meet at another gravel road. At least this one has a name!

Happy trails!