Journey Day 301 | AT Day 124

Clouds gather behind the White Mountains.

7/30/86

Up early from the Jeffers Brook Shelter, I feel the nervous energy of all inside as our ascent of Mt. Moosilauke beckons. Jerry’s out first. I decide to go. Jack’s unsure in the iffy weather and limited visibility.  Leonard definitely against going over the mountain in  the current conditions.

Up we go. We never see Jerry again. Jack and I are alone on top in the clouds near hypothermia. So we head right back down before taking a break, then on down a dangerous descent. Pass one hiker, sliding, fall several times. Hike past some nice cascades, down a tough side trail down to the Beaver Brook Shelter.

Long break, beers and hot dogs with a Connecticut couple. Eventually hike on to Kinsman Notch, up a surprisingly tough trail to Eliza Brook Shelter. Exhausted, Jack and I crash with Karl, a doctor and nuclear engineer from Georgia and Massachusetts.