Days 46 – 48, August 7 to 9: Final post from New Hampshire

Brownie took me to the trailhead near Glencliff on Road 25 on Day 46, August 7.  I had another restful stay at his and Lenore’s home in Vermont, and felt energized to continue my hike.  To my total delight the AT was absent of the perils that I experienced to the north in New Hampshire.  I glided along the trail totally connected with the ground which had few if any obstacles that could inflict pain.  Nice, easy 11 mile hike.

But I was concerned how sluggish I felt the next day, August 8.  The heaviness in my legs motivated me to stop and rest often as the summits of Mt. Cube and Mt. Smarts required lengthy uphill marches.  The warm, humid temperature was a much better alternative to the cold, windy conditions in the Mahoosuc Mountains just two weeks ago. But the muggy weather now zapped my strength.  At the end of the day, laying near-dead in my tent, I added up the elevation gain (4115 feet) and descent (3230 feet).  Those two mountains I climbed up and down were not difficult, but required the work in high humidity. In terms of elevation change alone, the day was one of the most challenging.

My focus for the next two days was purely on reaching Hanover, NH.  I looked forward to resting in a real town with a great food co-op and restaurants. 

Hanover is the last place before the AT crosses into Vermont.  The moment I cross that line will deserve a celebration and a pat on my back for somehow surviving Maine and New Hampshire! It was a hard 442 miles!  At times I fought for every mile of progress south.  Rocks, roots, stream fords, boulder to climb, boulders to descend.  Descending boulders, especially in wet conditions, was terrifying at times. I will never forget slipping on the wet wood log ladder near the Maine/NH border and having my legs pinned between the boulder and the ladder while fighting gravity with my backpack leaning backwards and a certain major injury eight feet below. Oh, the horror. I was shaken but not hurt.

On to Vermont!