Viewing Mount Lafayette from Mount Lincoln, some 4,000 feet elevation gain. The mist and clouds hid
some mountains but compensated with wonderful scenes.
That's it. I refuse to carry a battery with us from now on. Should the editor need a charge,
she should kiss me—rumor has it that it's electrifying.
We wondered how Lafayette made it into the presidential range but we believe names of prominent men of
the 18th and 19th centuries have been included in the prestigious White Mountains. We have been overwhelmed
by the range and region. It is calm in the towns and valleys below but exciting, volatile and most attractive
on the summits. The tough parts are getting to the ridges via the trails through thickly wooded forests on
paths and trails over rocks, boulders, stones and tree roots, usually with flowing water to keep the boots
and feet ‘nice and cool’. There is an intricate system of paths linking the peaks to each other including huts.
Another outstanding aspect of the White Mountains is that they are host to the world famous, if not the
preeminent, Appalachian hiking trail. It is approximately 2,200 miles beginning or ending in Georgia and Maine.
In our infinite wisdom, we decided against attempting it as a day hike. We have hiked parts of it each day and
met people undergoing the endeavor.
Resting at the col before pushing on and upwards.
The editor rests on the peak.
The editor on the ridge between the two peaks, heading for Mount Lafayette.
That brings us to Hannah and Sherene, two young women we mentioned in the previous blog. In the Madison Hut,
after coming down from the peak for a drink, we asked a woman if she was drinking coffee. We had heard someone
say that only tea was available. She replied in the affirmative and that we should get our own. She also
mentioned that we would not like her mixture as it had much milk and sugar in it. From her work experiences,
she knew foreigners like it plain—black with little sugar. She was very spunky, so interesting.
“How do you know we’re foreigners?” We asked. That led to another conversation.
One of many climbs on the 'trail' to reach the ridge.
The mist and clouds provide some wonderful opportunities for viewing. On a Sunday in good weather,
it proved to be a busy trail. The ridge is part of the Appalachian Trail.
I don't know about you but I'm getting tired of swimming upstream, my little salmon.
We asked her where she and Sherene lived when not doing the Appalachian Trail. They were beginning their
fifth month in the bush and mountains. She replied, ‘San Diego’. Hmm! Further discussion followed and we
left. Three days later, we stopped into a McDonald’s to catch up on work as we were between hikes. From
previous experience, we knew where the single power point in the restaurant was. We headed directly there
only to find people occupying our position. Sherene and Hannah were in town replenishing their food supplies
and charging their ‘phones. It was indeed a wonderful surprise and the opportunity to have as serious a
discussion as hikers can. As always, the views and thoughts of others, particularly the young, give us an
opportunity to discover much, whether wacky or otherwise. These two young women were erudite and courageous.
We know we’ll bump into them again.
It's lovely to see the clouds 'sit' on the mountaintops. We suppose they have to rest somewhere.
On the way down, we stopped at Greenleaf Hut for refreshments and a pep talk.
You might gather we loved this scene, between the two peaks. (You might notice hikers on the peak.)
The hike was another 9-miler but it felt slightly more comfortable than the Boott Spur, Mount Washington
adventure. The elevation gain amounted to 4,000 feet, always a substantial hike. Once again, the views
were spectacular, enhanced by volatile clouds covering parts of the mountains before moving on and then
returning. On the way down, we stopped into the Greenleaf Hut, positioned very nicely, high in the
mountains but well below the peaks. We were quite surprised to learn how expensive the tariffs are—they make
Europe look cheap. They do provide breakfast and dinner which makes us smile when one thinks of the service
provided in the high wilds. We wonder if Dominoes delivers.
I'll pass on the jump. A 4,000 feet drop exceeds my 'comfort' level. Okay, I'm a wimp. But wait...
Okay, my 'bomber' jacket is on and feeling confident; the freedom of flight appropriate on top
of Mount Liberty.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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