Wednesday, August 24, 2011

beasting the whites...or vice versa

so we headed out of hanover by way of a extremely nice family of trail angels who let us shower, do laundry, and sleep in an amazing bed.  got to mt moosilauke and died going up it.  camped on the top, in the wind and the cold, then almost died coming down it, but fortunately ran into 3 hats and her sister!!! had a catch up time about what we had missed out in each others lives on the trail, while sitting basically on a vertical rock face. when we were about to leave, mark trail and scribbles showed up with coke and oreos, so we had a little snack break and caught up with everyone.  we made our way carefully down the rest of the mountain, almost falling to our deaths a few times.  then had an amazing night in north woodstock at the local brewery. met up with some bikers from long island who were so impressed with our hike they bought us a drink.  had a great night, then hurried out of franconia notch the next morning, had a GORGEOUS hike over little haystack, lincoln and lafayette.  above alpine, rocky vistas, amazing views.  it was perfect.  we were hiking down when two thunderstorms blew in from both directions, making us a little nervous, since we were heading right toward them. we decided to hole up between two rocks that gave us a little protection from the wind, and watched as the two storms came to a head about a mile from us.  it turned out to be an amazing night as we watched the sun set on one side, and a massive thunderstorm on the other.  the next morning we hiked up and over mt garfield, an insane mountain that was straight up and straight down.  we actually walked DOWN a waterfall, it was terrifying, then past a hut, and up another insane mountain,  the whites are HARD.  haha. they are totally kicking our butts.  the storm of the century came the next night so we booked it down into crawford notch so as not to be caught up on the ridge during a t-storm.  we threw up our tent in the driving rain, and huddled in some puddles for a few hours before finally getting to sleep for a few minutes between thunder and lighting crashes.  when we semi dried out the next day, we started the day from hell!  straight up over webster cliffs in 60 mile an hour winds and harsh rain.  when we reached mizpah hut by 1pm we were beat, so we did some dishes for some soup and chocolate cake, then hiked on another mile where we pitched our tent and rested our weary feet.  seeing mt washington in the distance and knowing we were going to reach it the next day was pretty awesome...made it to lake of the clouds hut in a little under 2 hours, and had some more delish home cooked food.  met up with some of our friends, spice and hollywood, then decided to start the climb up mt washington.  the wind was blowing so so hard, and the peak was in a cloud, so we couldnt see more than a foot in front of us, but we made it, took some pictures, and caught a ride down to pinkham notch, where momma raccoon was going to pick us up for a little tlc at our amazing summer camp, wyonegonic!!!  we were so excited to get there that we were bouncing in our seats the whole ride, and had the best time catching up with old friends, and seeing our old stomping ground.  we hung out in the ropes course this morning, swam in moose pond, and laugh track got to challenge and beat our camp director in an amazingly intense ping pong match...a rematch to be had after cookout this afternoon!! we are loving life! almost done with the trip! and 4 more days till my birthday!!!!!  cant wait!!!!!!!!!  woot!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

live free or die...probably die

ok, this is amazing, we  got back on the trail in vt...best state in the union, which i have said before.  we had an awesomely rainy night the night we got back...set up the tent, made some dinner, then curled up in our sleeping bags while our tent stood up to the deluge.  although it was a little loud, we managed to get some sleep.  laugh track's friend jason was coming out the next day to hike with us, so we had a leisurly morning waking up, waiting for him.  when we arrived, we started out hiking, through some of the prettiest mountains we have seen. beautiful pine forests, soft mossy ground, rocks strewn about the path.  we passed a lot of rock sculptures, carins, and southbounders.  took some pictures on some views, saw the rutland airport from the top of a mountian, and met up with some friends we hadn't seen in a while!  stayed at a PACKED shelter, we hadn't seen so many people in one place since the smokies! got woken up by a moose call the next morning, as well as an insanely loud thru hiker's dulcet tones.  jason didn't feel too well the next day, so after a breakfast of delicious bacon and eggs at the whistle stop cafe, we headed into rutland to resupply, chill out and relax.  checked out a movie, headed to the long trail brewery, and turned in for the night.  the next day was to be jason's last, and a friend from home, bobby, came out to visit on the slopes of killington, so we hung out all day, rode the alpine slides at pico mountain, and went BACK to the long trail brewery.  i mean, it had been so long since we had good beer, we had to make the best of it.  pretty much stayed there till closing, having good conversation and drinking and eating nachos!  headed back to the trail, bobby took his leave of us, and we stealth camped by the road.  hiked on, through some gorgeous forests, that kind where every footfall is muffled by soft pine needles and the sun filters down through dark firs, giving the woods a dark and powerful feeling.  bright green moss covers everything, and brings to mind every scene setting in every fantasy book ever written.  at a road crossing we got some trail magic, some of our first in vt! from santa's helper, who we hadn't seen since waynesboro, va!  talked with him while sipping rootbeer and eating nutty bars.  had a peaceful sit by kent pond while watching loons dive for food, then decided to get on into woodstock, where we walked around to the bookstores, and sat on their common cooking dinner and taking pictures of the covered bridge.  we stealth camped in the middle of town next to the welcome center, and booked it out of there and to a cafe where we sipped coffee, ate corned beef hash and eggs, read books, and wrote post cards.  headed out once again towards new hampshire! only two states left!  got into hanover last night, walked around, geocached, made friends with some locals, had a preliminary girls night at the salt hill pub where we caught up with our friend bandit, now known as pair of aces.  signed their wall with our names, Laugh track headed back to secure our spots at the frat while I watched the red sox game...i may or may not have gotten in a small tiff with a local about ivy league education and the red sox...not sure how those are connected, but they seemed to be last night.  then headed up to one of the frat houses and crashed on their floor under their pong tables.  headed into town today to get some burritos, catch a movie, and gear up to hit mount moosilaki (or however you spell it) on monday!  5 miles of straight up...cant wait!! here we come new hampshire! live free or die!!!!

Friday, August 5, 2011

we LOVERMONT

h'okay.  so we headed back to the trail and our friend from camp, carrie, came out for a night!!  she also brought us a DELICIOUS meal, which turned out to be the best thing we had cooked in the wilderness -  breakfast burritos with fresh avocado, tomatoes, beans and rice, eggs, cheese and hot sauce!!!  we hung out, caught up, convinced carrie to quit her job, (har har), ate some cupcakes, and had an awesome time.  it was so great to see her!  we then got to cornwall bridge, ct where the liquor store gave out a free beer to all thru hikers!  then, as we were catching up with yinz and mr. black (whom we haven't seen in two weeks) a local gave us 20 bucks!! i mean, we were hanging out outside a liquor store, so what were we supposed to do with it???  we had a great time after that, and brutus' mom came, picked us up, and we got to go to his grandfather's house for a shower, delicious dinner, and a bed to sleep in!!  after hiking through northern CT and into MA - we were met by a springfield men's rugby player, martin, at a crossroads in Great Barrington.  he gave us beer and chocolate, then drove us to the best pizza place in town!!!  an amazing fig, prosciutto, and spinach pizza, we headed into northampton, where my best friends, kathryn and hunter picked us up!!  they took us to their amazing house on a 145 acre farm where we got to chase chickens, rescue frogs from the pool, and eat amazing food.  after getting a tour of the cutest house in existence, we headed out to a cabin on the property, drank some beer, made a fire, and told stories of our amazing adventures.  it was pretty much the best time ever, and they are living in neverland....we both want their lives.  the next day we headed back into town, where i got to show laugh track around smith college campus and  downtown northampton.   we then got to go to my old work and get hot tubs and massages!!!!  it was so relaxing!!! and just what we needed to face vermont, new hampshire and maine.  we got dinner at my favorite college bar, then went out with some of my friends from town and rugby team!!!  got to play s-ball at the watering hole, tried to beat our score at naughty "guess the difference" and basically had the best night ever.  after recuperating on alex and teddy's couch the next day we headed back to the trail!!!  it was great to be back, but it made me miss everyone at home!!!  had pretty good weather for the most part, just a few clouds and showers for the next few days! had a gorgeous morning for our climb up mt. greylock - the highest mountain in MA!!  spent about 3 hours walking around the summit, taking pictures, and eating lunch.  after a little more hiking, we decided we wanted to head to my house in VT for a soft bed, television, and my mom's home cooking.  we hitched to brattleboro where we checked out a new sports bar, watched the red sox beat the indians - a great game to watch together, since i am an avid sox fan, and laugh track loves the indians!  got home, played with my mom's two cats, watched A LOT of jersey shore, and did some chores.  we are stoked for tomorrow, when there is a fair on the town common! fried dough and corn dogs!!!  loving this little break before we hit the hardest part of the trail!!! bring it on white mountains! we ain't scared of you!   that was just a lie, but we are definitely excited! cant wait to get back on the trail!  we LOVERMONT