The White Mountains are tough. But the morning climb is okay, more like stair climbing than the rock climbing of yesterday. Spoon catches up with me and we hike together most of the day.
Mt Lafayette is amazing, with a great expansive ridge-walk for several miles. It is very exposed so we keep watching the clouds as they swirl above and below. Some are very dark, not shaped like thunderheads but still threatening a heavy rain. The wind and temperature remain moderate so we judge that we are okay despite the exposure.
The ridge-walk turns tough rocky as it climbs up and over the very steep Mt Garfield. There is no reprieve after that as the rocks and short climbs and descents continue even though we are nominally walking a flat ridge. The rain sprinkles lightly off and on, getting heavier each time. By 4 pm it is pouring and the trail is a running creek. Now I can start to feel the cold so it is time to pull out. The trail is getting slippery and I fall several times, twice planting my butt in a puddle.
Spoon was planning a work-stay at the Gatehead Hut. Guest pay $150 for a bunk and two meals. But for doing dishes and clean up, up to two hikers can get free meal (leftovers after the guests eat) and sleep on floor. Spoon arrives first and signs us in. When our turn comes I devour three servings of salad, green beans, two large bowls of thick vegetable soup, fresh bread, and three servings of apple crisp.
The warm dry building sure beats a tent tonight.
13.0 miles to Galehead Hut.
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