Waking up today, Murder Leg started making eggs while I made coffee and Digs made pancakes. We ate well. Today I packed my bags for the first time. Packing loose just means walking without all my gear. I was carrying really minimal gear: snacks, water, and emergency supplies. Why did I suddenly decide to stop packing? I’m worried about my body holding up, especially my knees.
hello toad
Kinsman Notch to Franconia Notch began with a steep thousand-foot climb. Then a steady, rolling four-mile incline took us to Mt. Wolf. Was there a view? I don’t remember it. We continued walking to the Eliza Brook shelter.
After a stop at the shelter for refreshments, we confronted the Kinsmans. We climbed steadily for 2,000 feet over two miles, with quite a bit of climbing. When we reached the top of South Kinsman I tried, without success, to choose which peaks we would cross tomorrow. I had no more luck at North Kinsman. Without a compass and a decent map, I was left wondering.
Rested and prepared, we began the long descent to Franconia Notch. This descent started with 1500′ of descent over about a mile. At that point I was very happy with my decision to loosen the pack. The descent really challenges my knees and they just needed a break. The downward slope eased after the Lonesome Lake cabin and we navigated to the parking lot. Abby picked us up to return to the Notch lodge.
That evening, as we began to leave PriceChopper, my stomach began to churn and a wave of fatigue washed over me. I took pink bismuth and anti-nausea. The anti-nausea flattened things out enough that I could eat the steak. I had to give away the bread and ice cream. Fortunately, pink bismuth saved me from prolonged diarrhea.
- Breakfast: pancakes and eggs.
- Dinner: steak
- Snacks: 2 cereal bars, Nature Valley protein bar, fig bar, peanut m&ms, and trail mix
- Days without a ramen bomb: 108
- Today I am grateful for: Gastric medications
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!
For more information, visit the About page of this site.
