Journey Day 307 | AT Day 130

I hiked away from the Presidential Range.

8/5/86

Up early I do the climb up to the ridge, over Adams for kicks, to hit the hut late enough for leftovers. Former hiking companion Steve Ahern is still there. I buy bread, eat pancakes, talk with the hut crew before hiking over Mt. Madison after checking out a chopper drop. Long descent takes me below treeline for the first time in a few days, sadly leaving the Presidential Range behind.

Meet day hikers, southbound thru-hiker, pass folks from the Lakes Hut again, including  Bill and Martha Denton, and hike down to Pinkham Notch with them.

We hike into the lodge, a madhouse. Eventually talk with the manager and agree to assist with rescue. Quickly shower, then on a van headed back to the Presidentials on the Nelson Crag Trail off the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The rescue proves to be a long, arduous task into the darkness helping a man named Ron with a broken ankle. His friends watch and take pictures while we break our backs carrying him. We pass and carry him in mud and over slippery rocks.

Help arrives near the end and walk out drained. We get beer, champagne and dinner, but I’m barely awake after a long day. Crash after talk with Bobalot and Jennifer.