Miles: 13.3
At 11:30 last night I was woken by a French-Canadian couple "having fun" in the shelter. Kevin and I, tenting near the shelter, cracked up laughing, hoping that they would hear us and stop... or at least keep the noise down. That didn't work and I finally fell asleep as the rain fell heavier and drowned out the sounds. Then, at 5 a.m., the SAME THING HAPPENED! This time, I was disturbed that my precious sleep had been stolen for a second time. After 3 hours of trying to fall asleep, we finally got up to do some hiking.
We're in Carter Range now, about to enter the White Mountains. We were told that the mountains here create their own weather... we experienced it today. In the morning, I was wearing my normal hiking outfit (notice the singular use of 'outfit' - yes, I was stinky) - sleeveless shirt, shorts. We then climbed 4,000 feet. By the top of our first summit, I was wearing long pants, a fleece sweater, fleece cap and gloves. The wind gusts were up to 50 mph... I had to hold myself steady with my hiking poles several times. On Mt. Washington, we were told that there were gusts up to 80 mph with a 22-degree wind chill. Yikes!
After a view filled, cold hike, we made it to our first hut. It was smaller than I was expecting and it's self-serve, which makes the chores easier. The caretaker let us do work for stay and all we have to do is sweep the floors. Yes! But, in the same regard, we didn't get any leftovers for dinner or breakfast. Anyway, I'm looking forward to some long, undisturbed sleep.
- Yawning Bobo