Kevin's AT Thru Hike

Day 136, Saturday, 7/30 – Aqua, Splitzy, Genie, and I started this morning at 7:00am, and hiked up Mount Garfield. We got great views from the summit. We had a direct view of Franconia Ridge, and were happy to see that it was in the clouds. We originally considered hiking Franconia Ridge this morning, but decided to hike it yesterday, so we timed it perfectly.

We hiked down from the summit and were hiking on a relatively flat section of trail. I was drinking water as I was hiking along. I was walking down a large boulder and my right foot slipped. I fell forwards down the boulder, which has to be the worst way that I could have fallen. I unsuccessfully tried to catch myself, and I slammed my left knee on the rock. This fall was worse than the last. I was rattled from the fall, so I took off my pack and sat down at the side of the trail. I cleaned up the wound with alcohol and triple antibiotic. I was frustrated with myself for becoming complacent and falling again. Considering how hard I fell, I’m very lucky I was only left with a bruised knee.

We hiked to Galehead Hut, and met back up with Birthday. I got a coffee, a baked good, and a bowl of soup. We hung out there with Laughing Loon, Apollo, Carla, and Justin.

After leaving the hut we hiked up South Twin Mountain. We got to the summit, and it was completely socked in (the mountain was in the clouds with no view). I wasn’t disappointed because I still felt lucky that I had such a great experience on Franconia Ridge.

We descended from South Twin Mountain, and hiked below the clouds. We ended up getting some great views along the way.

We hiked down to Zealand Falls Hut, which is advertised as one of the most accessible huts in the Whites. It was swarmed with people, and didn’t have any food available. It was too chaotic for me to feel relaxed there. I ran into Hot Sauce, who I haven’t seen since early May. He gave me an update on a few hikers I haven’t seen in a while. We all ate a snack outside, then continued on with our hike.

We hiked along the Pemigewasset river for a few miles, and found a stealth campsite at mile 1843. We all ate dinner together then went to bed early.