Day 85: Pinkham Notch

Start: Mount Madison Stealth Site (AT mi 1867.5). Stop: Pinkham Notch Visitor’s Center (AT mi 1873.7). Today’s miles: 6.2 miles. Total AT mileage: 849 miles

I woke up to clanking poles on rocks and thought it was a moose. Sadly, it was a crazy hiker coming up Madison for the sunrise. It wasn’t even 5am yet. Good for you, buddy. This happened several times but I didn’t get up to start packing until after 6. I was still just so exhausted.

I eventually did pack up, but instead of my normal routine, I did take my time eating my breakfast sitting on my ground cloth in my warm clothes wrapped with my quilt. Everything was already right there, why not?

I got to hiking just after 7am. I had to go the rest of the steep downhill to the campsite to get water, then some relatively minor ascents and descents (like 300 ft or less of elevation change) to get to Pinkham Notch Visitors Center, on the road. I decided after my hellish afternoon yesterday that I’d decide what I wanted to do by the time I got there and let my tent dry out. I could either get a hostel to come get me, sleep in town and really get my body clean and warm, or hike another 6-8 miles to stealth camp past another hut. We all know I refuse now to ever ask them for anything, so I wouldn’t be stopping at the hut.. although I do think it’s the last one I’ll have to deal with.

As I’m moving slowly down the rocky, now wooded path, I see stealth site after stealth site.. some with people still in them, some empty now.. some that were bigger than mine, some-not so much. I come across someone to my left just getting ready to get their day started. When I go to say, “good morning!” I realize it’s Poptart!! I haven’t seen her since New York!

I was thrilled! A friend! We ended up hiking the rest of the day together, chatting, talking about our tramiies and who is where and all that jazz. It made for a great day. Even though I did have my ankles try to kill me and I took a nasty fall. I was just happy I fell today and not yesterday. Lol

We got to Pinkham Notch just after noon. I laid my tent out to dry and we could see storm clouds rolling in. I didn’t have service, but the visitors center had a weather report for the area.. rain late afternoon, potential thunderstorms throughout the night, rain in the morning, then clearing up afterwards and for the following day. Hmmm. That sounds a lot like God telling me maybe I should get a room for the night and really let me and my tent dry out.

So, Poptart and I ate lunch at the Visitors Center. Her Uncle Eddie came to get her, because he lives in North Conway-you know the place-the town with the REI I’ve been to like 3 times. Lol While we’re all talking, they offer to let me come with them! NO WAY! The generosity was just amazing. I agreed, probably way too quickly. I grabbed my stuff and hopped in Uncle Eddie’s Jeep Grand Cherokee with Poptart and we were off.

He was such a sweetheart. We went to the house, unpacked and laid stuff out, realized what we needed for food and gear, and made our lists.. then took turns showering and resting. We all hung out together watching TV until Uncle Eddie cooked us hamburgers, corn on the cobb, and baked potatoes. We even had a Cesar salad beforehand. SHEESH! I felt like a princess for sure! And I still can’t believe they were so willing to have me tag along!

After cleaning up dinner, we headed to REI. I got some gloves for my hands that are still super sensitive, some sunblock stick for kids (super sensitive skin in general), and a new dry sack for my food bag.. mine was getting loaded down with ducktape attempting to patch its holes. Plus-I got a few probars, because I love those things.
Then came Walmart. Poptart found ChicFilA sauce and little travel sized squirt bottles-so now I’m toting some chicfila sauce of my own.. maybe that salmon at lunch tomorrow won’t be so gross! Hahaha

As we headed back to the house, the rain came and hasn’t let up since. I’m so glad I decided to trust my gut on cutting the day short, and I’m even more glad that Poptart appeared and invited me to stay and play with her and her uncle today. It’s truly been a wonderful day.

And now, with heavy eyelids, a full belly, and clean body, I’m going to sleep in a bed listening to the rain outside the window-and marveling in the fact that none of it will drip on me tonight! Haha
Sweet dreams, y’all