Day 2 Winds Down

Around 8pm I start to get a little more relaxed than I've been all day. Today I've been really jumpy around phone calls as I expect every ring to be from the field. By around now however I know that the groups are settling into their camps and are safe and sound.

I'm pleased to report that I didn't get any calls from the field today! That's great news. That means all the groups are on track, doing well and having fun. Right around now (8pm-ish) they are all likely settling into camp and finishing up dinner. Last year I wrote that no news is good news - and that's especially true this year with the amazing weather we've been having!

Although I haven't heard from any of the groups, I know just about what they did today. Here's a little run down.

Gilman's Corner: Traveled a long and rolling section of the AT, lots of deep woods hiking and beautifully isolated country. They should be bedding down tonight near a lovely pond.

Gordon Pond: Had probably their toughest day of the trip, they hiked a section of the Kinsman Ridge then dropped down into the notch and hiked up the infamous Beaver Brook trail to a big reward - a lean-to shelter with an amazing view!

Kinsman Notch: What a day for a crossing a summit! This group crossed the summit of Moosilauke, a lovely bare rock peak, likely on some snow. I'll bet it was windy and cold up there, but they had an amazing 360 degree view. Actually if they knew where to look they could have seen Burleigh Mountain from there. The wind was howling on Mt. Washington today, but Moosilake is more than 1000 feet lower so it wasn't quite that windy.

Lincoln Woods: Big day for this group as well as they traversed a section of the Franconia Ridge including the dramatic Mt. Flume. Flume is a very distinctive pointy peak very visible from Burleigh Mountain. Although the trail is quite wide and safe it traverses a thrilling and steep ridge. This group is bedded down at one of the highest camps on the expedition at Liberty Spring.

Mayhew: After getting started this morning the Chipmunk Skewers climbed the Alpine Tower on Burleigh Mountain before heading out by boat to Mayhew Island. Although the rumor was circulating that they would have to construct a raft out of timbers to float to the island they actually traveled by pontoon boat.

Reel Brook: This crew is bedding down at one of my all time favorite campsites in the White Mountains. Kinsman Pond is a lovely campsite nestled at a beautiful little mountain lake and across from the formidable Kinsman Mountain which they climbed over today.