Day 132: Mt. Moosilauke

Day: 132 Miles: 8.4 Trip:  1796.5 Started: Glencliff, NH Destination: Lincoln NH

Well the rain that was supposed to happen yesterday came today with force.  This morning I hinted to Jay that we might want to stay one more day at the hostel, but understandably he was eager to get started and I was easily convinced to head out.  Hikers welcome offered to drive out packs to another hostel in Lincoln and I was eater to not have the extra weight for the first real moutain in the Whites.  We both emptied our packs except for the bare minimum.  It was only slightly raining when we left in the morning at about 8am or so.  After a short walk back to the trail head we picked our way over a wide stream and headed up the mountain.  The climb was pretty steady and we were both going pretty strong.  About half way up the pitch got a little worse.  I'm not sure a 4000 foot climb up steap terrain in the rain was Jays idea of how his trip would start, but it was not that bad and we were making good time.  Near to top of the mountain the wind really started to pick up.  By the time we made it to the summit the wind was blowing at about 45 mph with rain and sleet.  I wanted to get some pictures, but my camera was already buried in my pack and we both decided to get back down to tree line as soon as possible.  Just after the summit the sky opened up!  The north side of Moosilauke is very steep with some section require the use of installed ladders and hand holds. We both sort of laughed at how bad the conditions were getting and chalked it up as a good adventure.  The going was slow and at times the trail was just as much of a waterfall as the one next to the trail for most of the decent. There were over two inches of rain today, and most of it was in the hours were were doing our decent.   I was truly glad to get to the bottom.   Our gear was at Chets hostel in Lincoln and we managed to get a ride from somebody in the parking lot at Kinsman Notch.    We got dropped off and found our way to Chet's place to find it totally full.  Not only full, but full of wet hikers, not a good scene in general and not how Jay envisioned his vacation I'm sure.  We found a hotel in town to stay at and just as we settled in the sun came out, almost mocking us.  It was a long day for only 8 miles, I hope the rest of the Whites are not this tough!  I wish I had pictures of this section.  Here are some pictures Chin Music took in better weather.