The Great Whites

Yesterday I finished the White Mountains of New Hampshire, said to be both the most beautiful and most difficult section of trail on the AT. I did two relatively easy 20 mile days out of Hanover to a hostel in Glencliff, NH. The next day, first thing in the morning, was Mt. Moosilauke, the first 4,000 ft climb of the Whites. I did 26 miles that day, with several more very steep, very rocky climbs and descents. Definitely one of the toughest days yet. I shuttled into Lincoln, NH from Franconia Notch and stayed in a hostel. The next day severe thunderstorms were in the forecast, so I took the day off just to be safe. The next day, Saturday, I hiked 20 miles to an AMC hut at Zealand Falls. The AMC, or Appalachian Mountain Club, maintains a system of lodges in the White Mountains that are totally off the grid. Guests hike in and are served breakfast and dinner at the huts. Thru-hikers are allowed to do work for stay. The hut crews, mostly college students, were all amazing and were very generous in giving us hikers food and shelter. The next day, Sunday, I hiked another 20 miles to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, an incredible place located just below Mt. Washington in the alpine zone. The next morning I summitted Washington, the second highest peak on the trail, and descended to Pinkham Notch, where I hitched into Gorham for the night. Yesterday I hitched back to the trail for a 21 mile hike to another highway into Gorham, so I stayed in the same hostel again last night. Today I cross into Maine! Pretty hard to believe...