Total trail mileage: 1760.7
Starting location: Moose Mountain North Peak
Ending location: Fire Warden Cabin
Weather: 67 degrees in the morning. 71-83 degrees during the day.
Clear and sunny in the morning. A thunderstorm came in the early
afternoon. Then it was partly cloudy. Then another thunderstorm with
hail and insane lightning.
I slacked again today. I got up and over Holt's Ledge in good time.
But then I started to climb Smarts Mountain and I started hearing
thunder. The trail was going through periods of exposed areas. It
started raining and I decided to hang out in the woods so I didn't get
struck by lightning. As soon as the thunder cleared I started walking
again (although the rain hadn't stopped).
I think this was the longest climb since somewhere in Virginia. But,
there are awesome views now. I got up to the fire tower and the view
was incredible.
I broke one of my trekking poles today. I slipped on a wet root and
fell on the pole. At least that was all I broke. Unfortunately the
next outfitter isn't until after the Whites so my poles just got a
little shorter.
I got to the Fire Warden Cabin and it was threatening to rain again.
After some debate I decided to stay here and try to get the sunrise
from the top in the morning.
I sure am glad I decided not to go to my original destination. The
storm REALLY started coming through. It was pouring, lightning, and
hailing. There are 5 others here, including DC who I haven't seen
since PA. DC and Mexico were in the firetower when the storm started
up. Fortunately they got back ok. Then, during a lull in the storm,
DC went to get water. Lightning struck maybe 20 feet from the shelter
and near DC as he was coming back. The ball of light was intense and
the sound was deafening. That was probably the closest I have ever
been to a lightning strike.
I think this was the worst weather I have seen on the trip. And, I am
barely into New Hampshire, a stretch of unpredictable weather.
I have 20 miles to go to Glencliff tomorrow. If I don't make it by
the time the post office closes, I can pick up my package the next
morning.
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