August 18 &19. The Whites

From Hanover, we hiked 45 miles to Glencliff where we stopped at the Welcome Hikers Hostel. We talked with Fat Chap, Bag of Tricks, and Baltimore Jack. Gathered information regarding the Whites while waiting for Michelle and Karen. We relaxed in the hammock out back, showered and did laundry.

When Michelle arrived, we headed into North Woodstock for dinner. A tourist town that was crowded with people. At dinner I noticed 8 tv screens, people all talking at the same time, clanking silverware...total bombardment of stimuli. This seems normal to everyone around us. Amazing how much can go on in a small room.

We could not find a single room so we went back to the hostel. Many times the hostels are not so clean. This one was a bit rough. Mark and I usually set up our tent in the yard. Karen had not planned on camping. In fact, Karen had never camped before. She has an adventurous side to her but this, I could see, was uncomfortable for her one choice was the indoor bunk house where two hikers were already sleeping. The other choice was this outside tent with beds that had sheets on them but had been open to the outside. Michelle had come prepared to tent so had a warm sleeping bag. This was the coldest night we had experienced in some time. I gave Karen everything I had to help her be warm. She was worried about the spiders and whatever else might come along. They chose the outside tent We were out of options.

Michelle gave Karen the warm sleeping bag and did her best with layers of clothing and what bedding there was. She did okay but was still cold. Mark and I slept in our tent and woke up to wetness from the fog. It was as if it rained it was so dense. The air was cold, it was not easy to bring ourselves out of our toasty warm sleeping bags. However, it was time to climb the first mountain in the Whites, Mt. Moosilauke.

Karen dropped us at the South side of the mountain and we slack packed some of the most beautiful 10 miles of our entire trip. Steep climb up the south side with a waterfall to the right. Summiting above tree line for a magnificent view. Down a more gentle six miles. Perfect weather, perfect day. We really enjoyed Michelle's company.

As we hiked south, we came across our friends we had not seen in 8 weeks or so. Boomer, Squatch and Yukon. It was great to see them. They all look very thin with longer beards. Yukon has gone to ultra lite so no longer wears the kilt or the big leather hat. We look forward to spending some time with them. We also saw Socks who is now feeling great.