Day 143 – Jacob’s Brook to NH 25A Barn Door hostel

“You got loud horns, we got dogs barkin’

Ain’t got a pip, no John Deere parkin’

There’s meat n’ taters, lots of fried pickles

If ya don’t like that, let me tell you a little

Think about that

Don’t let the barn door hit you on your way out” – Alex Miller

Up at 8:20. Short day today, so I slept in. Had breakfast, packed up, and was on the trail at 9:35.

Sunny, 55 going up to 72.

42 days left!

Lots of climbing up to start the day. That is Smarts Mountain that I climbed yesterday. I can see the fire tower on the summit.

Would not want to do this in wet conditions due to all the slab rocks. Super slippery.

Summited Mount Cube at noon.

Tried contacting Barn Door hostel via text and phone. No response to either. I worry they don’t check their messages until 3:00 when their office hours begin. I don’t like heading down the mountain where there is no cell service until I have made contact. Crap. I’ll head down to the road about 1:00. Should take 90 minutes or so.

Arrived at NH 25A at 2:45. Found a nice spot against a tree to settle in.  Hopefully, my shuttle will arrive. I have not gotten any confirmation from the hostel, which worries me.

Got a Garmin message with pickup confirmation. Shuttle picked me up about 4:00. Stopped at a local market for dinner and snacks. I’ll resupply tomorrow or Thursday. Got settled in at the Barn Door hostel about 4:45. Nice place. Caters to rock climbers and others mainly, but hosts some hikers. I have a nice little private room. Very good showers! They will take me back to the trail at 7:30 tomorrow morning.

Talked to Dana and got my gear ready for tomorrow. Did some research on White Mountain hiking after Franconia Ridge. We have bad weather coming in Saturday and Sunday, so this is getting tricky.

Technical Notes:

• Pop Tarts 370
• Oreos 160
• Snickers 250
• Cheese Crackers 250
• Zero Sugar Sausage 120
• Trail Mix 300
• Snickers 250
• Oreos 160
• Ruben 1200
• Dr Pepper 240
• Chips 980
• Misc 1180
• Pepperoni 280
• Water 1.7
• Miles 7.2
• Time 4
• Elevation Gain 1749
• Calories Consumed 6000
• Calories Burned 4000