Sprout Day 109 (Thursday, July 14th, 2016)

We went over Kinsman Mountain today. It was a tough climb because everything was damp and the humidity was 100%. The climb up wasn't so bad but then it was constant up and downs on the way and through the saddle. We had to go over big boulders and hop rocks over brooks and streams. There were a lot of roots and everything was a little slippery. It was a beautiful hike because everything was covered in bright green moss. Once we got up towards the top it was cloudy. I would have loved to see some views way off in the distance but all I could see was thick clouds rolling in, white walls everywhere. It was kind of an eerie feeling knowing you were high up but couldn't see off in the distance.

I fell coming down North Kinsman and banged my knee up. I'll be ok but it hurts a little now. I was walking down a steep boulder and thought I saw a safer way to get down so I started going that way while holding on to a tree. I started to slip and couldn't hold on tight enough and just fell. I knew I was going down when I felt my fingers losing grip. I fell and hit my chin first and went down hard on my knee. I'm just thankful I didn't seriously hurt myself. It's easy to lose footing on slippery wet rocks.

We went past our first AMC hut and stopped for some soup and snacks. Through the Whites there are huts that people pay for. They are way too expensive for us (over $100 to rent a bunk) but offer food for hikers. We had a bowl of soup, lemonade, cornbread, and some cookies. We only had a few miles to get to Lincoln, New Hampshire. We planned to stay at Chet's house tonight. He's an awesome trail angle that lets hikers stay and, since the weather is calling for storms tonight, we figured we better stay inside.

Chet is a great guy. He has six bunks, a couple of couches, and a mattress that he lets hikers crash on. There's a shower and washer and dryer too! I love the people we meet on the trail. Everyone has been so nice to us and very helpful. The plan for tomorrow is to get our food drop box ready in the morning and hit up the Price Chopper for any other food we might need and get on the trail as long as the weather is good. I'm excited to get to Franconia Notch and see the 360 degree view!

Me on the trail today

Moss covered rocks

Beautiful brooks on the trail today

Bubbles coming up the trail after me

Little cave

Foggy, humid day!

More of the trail today

Bubbles climbing up the trail!

Imagine hiking up these rocks when they are wet!

Glad my phone didn't fall down this hole!

Not much a view but still majestic

Here comes Bubbles

These logs really help get up the trail

Kinsman Pond Shelter

Lonesome Lake Hut

Day: 109
Miles hiked: 8.8
Total Miles hiked on the trail: 954.9
Bears: 0
Bluegill: 2
Butterflies: 8
Chipmunks: 3
Cows: 24
Crawfish: 1
Deer: 20
Donkeys: 2
Horses: 12
Hummingbird: 1
Inchworm: 1
Really Big Dog: 1
Mice: 2
Nest of bugs: 2
Newts: 2
Owl: 1
Rabbit: 1
Skunk: 1
Snail: 1
Snake: 2
Squirrels: 11
Toads: 3
Trout: 2
Turkeys: 4
Turtles: 107
Vultures: 6
Woodpecker: 1