NH - Mt. Madison

Hiking Diaries - July 27th & 28th, 2019

Sat, July 27th - Woke up at 430am. Woke up again at 530am. Did not feel well. (was subconsciously nervous in the night I suppose). Considered backing out. The weather outside was crisp and made me feel better. Packed my car, drove up to the Great Gulf Wilderness, off Route 16. I meditated on the drive up. Felt a bit better. Packed our packs, took photos. Hiked 2.9(?) miles to “The Bluff” along a really easy trail next to a river (wanted to stop and swim - was so hot and buggy!). Set up our tents at The Bluff and ditched most of our gear. Relaxed for a bit. Took the “Madison Gulf Trail” for 2.6 miles up to the Madison Spring Hut (such a difficult trail at the last bit. Was leisurely in the beginning, though I struggled a bit). Saw practically no one on this trail. Kind of sketchy at the end. Got to the top - was beautiful!!!! Hung out at the hut (read the trail log from when I was hiking the AT). Ate food. Saw a bunch of other hikers. Summited Mt. Madison (all decided against adding Adams). I left the summit early - had a stomach ache and wanted to be below tree line. Went ahead of the group, hiked alone for half a mile. Eventually, storm clouds came in. Thunder. I waited for my friends. They arrived, but their hair was standing up due to the electricity in the air. Was really really freaked out. We booked it for tree line, but were exposed for about 15-20 minutes. So scary, my legs were trembling. Got below treeline, the trail down to camp was slippery and rocky, but not difficult. My legs felt like jelly they were so overworked. Arrived at camp. Ate food. Got in dry clothing. Tried reading Life of Pi, fell asleep at 715pm.

Sun, July 28th - Woke up many times in the night (super thirsty, but my water bottle was far away). Eventually got up at 6am. Laid on a giant boulder and stared at the mountains (could see Mt. Washington auto road). Watched the clouds and the shadows on the mountains. Was very peaceful. Laid my stuff to dry in the sun. Played sudoku. Woke up the girls at 8am. They laid their stuff out to dry, laid on the boulder, made breakfast, lounged around. Left around 10:15am (I think). Leisurely walk back to the car - stopped and waded into the river water (very cold, but amazing). Kept walking. Talked with Jen a lot. Got to the end, went in the water again (seriously, the best). Drove to Conway, got disappointing sandwiches at Sweet Maple Cafe (I’ve been there before). Some guy passed out. Drove home. Got home. Set up my hammock. Did some work. Made Ramen. Exhausted. Entire body is killing me (especially my calves).