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Thursday–October 7, 2021
Trail Day–230
Trail Mile–-8.8/2311.7
Remaining Miles–305.4
Location–Liberty Springs Trailhead (I-93 – 373.1) southbound to Eliza Brook Shelter (381.9)
Unfinished business in the White Mountains of New Hampshire–the Kinsman twins and Mount Wolf. We’ve been waiting for two good days weather-wise to hike that 16+ miles. Today and tomorrow look good. So, plan is to head in there today.
From Hanover it’s right at a two-hour drive to Liberty Springs trailhead. So, we’re on our way at six in Odie‘s bus. Plan is to leave the bus at Liberty Springs and hike in from there. Barry will get Odie back to his bus tomorrow evening after we come down off Mount Wolf.
Odie, Kitchen Sink and me, we’ve packs shouldered and headed for North Kinsman at eight. More rocks, roots, and boulders first thing as we begin the 2,000+ foot climb. The early morning fog burns off makings for a perfect day–cool, cloud-free, glorious vistas.
From North Kinsman we’ve a short descent before heading up South Kinsman. I don’t recall these climbs being such a struggle 20+ years ago. But now, for this octogenarian, they’re a struggle, especially so, the treacherous, near-vertical descent off South Kinsman. Here, I concentrate, watch each foot placement. Total deliberation. No matter. I still suffer three tumbles. One, a dandy body banger. Slammed my left leg. Lots more skid marks to add to the ones I already have.
Late evening, we manage to reach Eliza Brook Shelter. Odie prepares a nourishing hot meal for me–and that’s it for this difficult and challenging day. On my little pad, back in the shelter corner, tucked down deep in my quilt–I’m gone…
Only those who dare to fail greatly
can ever achieve greatly.
(Robert F. Kennedy)
