Day 160 – Grafton Notch to East B Hill Rd

“I said, “Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud

Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud

Hey, hey, you, you, get off of my cloud

Don’t hang around ’cause two’s a crowd

On my cloud baby” – The Rolling Stones

Up at 7:00. Packed and had breakfast at the hotel. Shuttle driver Rodney picked me up at 8:00 and drove 30 minutes to the trail. Rode with 2 of the girls I was hiking around the previous 2 days on the trail. They are going ahead of me about a day and slackpacking. On the trail at 8:40.

Light rain, mid-50s, clearing mid-morning and going up to mid-60s. Very humid.

I’m carrying heavy on food (2.5 days) in case I don’t hostel each night this week. Also, I love the new knee brace. No nasty Velcro to chew up my leg and fits better under long pants.

The ascent out of Grafton Notch is going to suck due to the wet rocks. Very slippery rock scrambles.

Only have 10 miles today, but it’s a steep up and down. Guessing 4:30.

Wow. Did the first 1.7 miles in an hour flat. Steep hard workout, but some switchbacks and plenty of rock stairs so far. Easier than the past few days. 

Summited Baldpate Mountain (3664 feet) at 10:40 and 3.1 miles in. Climbed up into and then above the clouds. All the leaves falling off trees coupled with damp rocks makes for slippery conditions. Sun is starting to burn through. Took a snack break until 11:00.

I love how the trail just disappears into the clouds. Have not seen another person on the trail yet today.

Lots of patches of slanted rock. Slick as hell when wet.

Following the little grey cairns that blend into the clouds. Very, very UP.

Summited Baldpate East (3812 feet) at 11:37 and 4 miles in. Making great time.

I’m descending towards my destination for the day, but going back down into thicker clouds. Just keep following the cairns.

That was very slippery.

Stopped at Frye Notch Lean-to at 1:00 for a break. The worst of the steep, slippery rocks are behind me, I think. I go over Surplus Mountain next. Not a big mountain but still a mountain. I’m supposed to call the hostel from there as that is the only cell service the rest of today. I have zero cell service now. I’ll have 4 miles all downhill to go from Surplus Mountain.

Called the hostel at 1:40 and arranged pickup in 4 miles or 2 hours. Got to the road at 3:40 or in 2 hours exactly. Talked to some other hikers for maybe 10 minutes and then my shuttle picked me up. It was maybe a 15-minute drive to the hostel.

Pine Ellis hostel is interesting. Not my favorite, but I’ve had worse. 

Technical Notes:

• OJ 150
• Fruit 250
• Hohos 250
• Hohos 250
• Hohos 250
• Oreo 160
• Kind bar 160
• Root beer 260
• Bacon cheeseburger 900
• Onion rings 300
• Misc 1300
• Water .7
• Miles 10.3
• Time 7
• Elevation gain 3621
• Calories consumed 4300
• Calories burned 5500