AT 132 - 7th August [373.3]

 

The Notch Hostel (again again)

Climbed the Kinsman’s and the down was tough. More straight downs. I enjoyed it but the knees are crying a little. There was a hut on the way so I looked in since we’ll be staying in them in the Whites. Just down the hill was Lonesome Lake, I just had to swim. #32.  Went to Flume Visitors centre and hitched a ride into town, took a while. Got to hostel and showered and then scrounged a lift to town. Got gloves and waterproof trousers because the weather tomorrow is BAD. Had a great dinner in a brewery. Just happened to meet a shuttle driver outside who dropped us back. 

Top of Kinsman 

AT 131 - 6th August [382.1]

 

Eliza Brooke Shelter

I cooked pancakes for 6 of us at hostel and Zen cooked 3 egg omelettes each, so good for breakfast. Packed up a very wet dewy tent and took shuttle to the Notch trail head. Very easy day to shelter (there at 12). Hung tent up to dry and then setup for siesta. Swim #31. We are doing the Kinsman (4333) tomorrow and heading back to The Notch Hostel for one last time. Then it’s the Whites, yes, here we come!!!! I’m glad we are back at the hostel because I left my fleecy behind. 

Thought for the day. 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

In another translation it’s overflow with hope. This hope is not like “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow” or “I hope I sleep well tonight”. It’s much more certain because of the source of the hope, “the God of HOPE”. It’s not abstract or uncertain, it’s a definite hope. It’s a hope you can trust your life on. I hope your hope is a certain hope and you overflow with hope in the God that is our hope. 

Prayer:-

Irish poet John O’Donohue:

 ‘As I lay down to sleep
 May the guardian angel
 Watch over me,
 Coaxing all my cares
 To unravel into peace.

 May this new night of rest
 Repair the wear of time
 And restore youth of heart
 For the adventure
 That awaits tomorrow.’

I would have put Lord instead of guardian angel but it is a lovely way to end the day and lie down to sleep. 

Swim #31

AT 130 - 5th August [389.6]

The Notch Hostel [again]

Just climbed the Moosilauk with Matt. We went south to north. High Route did north to south. We met nearly at the top. At the bottom there was trail magic and also they drove us back to hostel. Then we drove to collect HR on the other side of the mountain. Went to town for another great lunch and then Matt headed home. What a memory. 

That’s what we just climbed!!!

AT 129 - 4th August [Thunderstorms Zero]

 

The Notch Hostel

We take so much for granted in the real world, things like a real bed and a roof over our head on a wet wet day. On the AT it is a luxury and something to be really thankful for. Another pleasure is meeting friends and family, Matt came to visit again. Having a car to get to town for dinner is another special thing. 

Thought for the day 

(Taken from Lectio 365)

Matthew 18:1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Have I lost my sense of playful joy?

Holy Spirit, will You give me again the laughter of a child? I want to peer into Your word with my eyes and heart wide-open. I want to dance in Your presence without inhibition. I want to laugh, caught off guard by the kindness of Your love. I surrender to You my places of jaded cynicism. Reawaken my delight in Your presence.

AT 128 - 3rd August [399.1]

Hikers Welcome Hostel

Short hike over Mtn Cube with lovely views back to Smarts mountain with the fire tower. When you look back it seems a long way, which it is, I suppose. Got to hostel and showered and went to shop to get dinner. 

3?? Miles to go!!!!

Change of plan tomorrow because thunder & lightning are expected all day. We have been advised that going over Moosilauk in these conditions is crazy. We are taking a zero in our next hostel, The Notch Hostel. 

Fire tower on previous mountain. 

AT 127 - 2nd August [413.7]

 

Hexacuba Shelter

Very cold last night but snuggled in well. Lovely day hike up Smarts mountain. Fire tower on top with great views towards the Whites. Short day purely because we have a big one coming on Friday (Moosilauk) and we can’t get there in one day. We saw Mount Washington in the distance but we have a few to get over first:-

Moosilauk 

Wolf

South Kinsman

North Kinsman

Lincoln

Lafayette 

Garfield 

Galehead

South Twin

Zealand

Webster 

Jackson

Pierce

Then Washington!!!(6278)

Most look pretty tough. I’m so looking forward to them, I nearly cried. 

Thought for the day 

Hebrews 12:12-13

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

As I wake each day I certainly have to lift myself up and stretch out the weak knees and plan the paths. I can’t make them straight or level but I walk carefully so no join is put out. 

What about spiritually?

Do we sometimes let our hands of praise droop?

Do we sometimes have weak knees to prevent us walking His way?

Do we sometimes leave the straight and narrow way and slip onto the broad way?

Let’s wake tomorrow and do Hebrews 12. 

Mt. Washington in the distance. 

AT 126 - 1st August [425.7]

Trapper John Shelter

Had hotel breakfast and headed to bus to get to AT. Cold start but the day warmed up but not the clammy heat we’ve been having. Two big climbs but lots of energy coming from a zero. Glad we got to shelter early because we got fairly level tent sites. Lots of people arrived later and had to take sloping sites.