Thursday, September 27, was a fairly long day but the trail wasn't too rugged. And the weather was good too. Another day of seeing very few hikers but Lyle was surprised he was seeing any more south bounders given how late in the season it actually is. They have a long way to go if they want to through hike the trail. And trail magic! Someone had left soda and treats on the trail...what a boost to the spirits. Lyle was pleased to reach a shelter because of the predicted bad weather that was moving in. Another night of nobody else in the shelter.
In the early hours of Friday morning Lyle was awakened by thunder and lightning. And the rain was coming down in sheets. I spoke with him a few hours later and it wasn't any better. And the weather map I was looking at on the Weather Channel didn't look like it was going to get any better--a full day of severe thunderstorms. Lyle decided to stay dry and stay at the shelter. If the weather broke he might be able to get a few miles but that was a very dim hope. I spoke with him again just after lunch and he was still at the shelter. Four young men had come through and stopped at the shelter for a dry lunch but they were soaked to the skin. In spite of the nasty weather they continued on after they finished their meal. The zero day gave Lyle some extra time to figure out his stats...he has completed 255 miles on the trail so far. And the extra day was a great rest day for his body. By evening there was a couple that joined him in the shelter for Friday evening. They were soaked as well...
Saturday morning Lyle got up and out and the couple was still in their tent. They expect to see Lyle at the "Hilton" shelter Saturday evening. The shelter is actually a cabin with a caretaker. The four young men that came through on Friday said it was well worth getting to...a bunk and a hot breakfast! Wow now that's trail magic! He completed another 14 miles on Saturday and made the cabin in time to get a bunk. It's a weekend so there are a lot of weekend hikers and other section hikers--12 in all. Lyle was in great spirits for our good night talk as he hiked dry all day, he still felt rested, the hikers staying the cabin were sharing food around the fire and he had a few glasses of wine--not sure where he got this but good for him! And after a night on a bunk he will get a hot pancake breakfast.
Saturday evening Lyle told me he has decided to get off the trail before the White Mountains. He has talked with a lot of the south bounders and the overwhelming theme is that the mountains are tough enough in good weather and it's too much of a risk to be in the Whites so late in the season. So he is planning to hike to the Vermont/NH border and get off there. He will have completed five of the six states on this trip. I am so relieved especially considering how few hikers he is seeing already. I knew there would be long stretches of time--maybe days--he wouldn't see anyone in the Whites. And the weather can turn bad so quickly above the tree line which is most of the trail in the Whites. Back to the drawing board for another plan to finish up next year.
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