And if my wishes come true, you would have been you

My dream is still painful (read: ruined) by hikers not through the shelter. There was a guy who had a very quiet alarm, which I get. He thought he would wake up quickly, and then he would turn it off. The problem was that he was not the one who woke up. I was … at four in the morning. Look, I’m a late initiator, but that’s ridiculous.

Anyway, when I really got up at 5:45, I could barely shake my eyes from my eyes. I knew that the day would be a fight, but there is not much that I can do, if I want to go to Washington a working day. So … it’s time to walk. However, okay, today it will be a nostalgia trip for me!

One of my backpacking formative trips was a solo tour of the PEMI loop, which passes through the 4000 feet around the New Hampshire Pemigewasset valley. This includes Francia Ridge until approximately one mile beyond South Twin … Much of I will do it today! I am so excited to be in a section of the path that I know!

At least … I was. I made some pancakes, goodbye to the three trucks of hikers left in the Kinsmans, and they prepared me to walk … before …

When I was leaving, I was talking with a bigger walk. We never exchanged names, but when I left, she said: «It was a pleasure to meet you, Chopsticks.«

I don’t know how to say this, but that’s a damn hurt. The sticks is a tall and white man with a thick Bostonian accent. And we all know why he assumed he was sticks. I murmured something to the driver of the truck, and then I shouted «I’m sorry, I’m late, don’t sticks!» He immediately apologized, but the damage was done. Look, I’m proud to be Chinese-American. But it is a reminder that here, sometimes my identity can be reduced to the reason why I cannot control that I cannot control: I am a minority. He simply reminded me that whatever happens, I will judge myself immediately for being born ethnically Chinese. That really hurts. What did I do to deserve this? Nothing.

Along the way, the truck driver was also extremely upset because what happened happened, and tried to give me encouraging words, but I still can’t change how it made me feel at that visceral moment. Oh. She left me and made my way for Liberty Springs. Here, I met Doublewide’s, which happened in 2023, and I was walking in … crocs. Holy Coowww, I can’t imagine. I know there are people who do it every year, and mega hurried for them! I was super friendly, but I quickly passed him on my trip to Liberty Springs’s Tentsite. This place means a lot to me … It is actually the first place that I camped at the AT, Waaayyy before arriving in Amicalola Falls four months ago. I reviewed it and I had the opportunity to talk to Mac, the site caregiver. She said she didn’t see any nobles stay at night … which meant that my chances of working for stay were probably quite decent. So I was excited! And although I knew that I was not guaranteed, after all, there could be solargos, I made the mistake of waiting «good, if the morning came with that strange moment, at least the rest of today will develop perfectly!»

And I labeled this white fire on 09/19/24. My package was probably 10000 pounds heavier

Ha.

At the crossroads between Mount Liberty and the rest of the AT, I quickly took a detour to mark Mount Liberty, another footer 4000. It is as beautiful as ever, and now after having uploaded to the Kinsmans, the views felt very special. Then I made the mile and a half truck through the forest to Little Haystack Mountain. Man, everything was more difficult than I remember! It is fun to compare how the last time I did this, while I was not at the maximum fitness, I was certainly cooler, so every step … I felt like that. However, at the same time, I could also feel the easier the climbs! The last time, I was snorting and swelling after each step. Now, I was going beyond my previous self in the Pmi Loop, and the others also here.

The crest in the distance of Monte Liberty

Canyon and relatives. They look so short …

Little Haystack is the first of the three mountains that is part of the Francia de los Blancos crest, and although the peak is well above 5000 feet, it actually does not count as a 4000 feet foot thanks to the prominence rules. Even so, when you get to the top, it’s like entering a completely new world. Suddenly, the trees fall and the sky opens, and you get some of the best views throughout the damn path. I recommend most of the hikers to budge a whole day to go here and camp in the Garfield Ridge shelter. It is a difficult terrain, but also something for which you don’t want to hurry! At least for most. I have drunk a lot of opinions here, and although I certainly didn’t hurry … I didn’t spend so much time on the three Picos de Francia Ridge. Of course, I took some breaks, but I was on a mission to get to the cabin! Then, before realizing, I was at the top of Lafayette, jealously looking at the hikers of the days that go down to Greenleaf Hut while I went down the back of Lafayette … which, as always, kicked my ass. It is another set of steep rocks to jump, with tons of holes in the middle. The previous year, I had actually dropped a little dew of insects one of these rock fields (ahh … my evil), so I was very careful to keep everything tied while going down. But … before realizing, I was in the small fall between Lafayette and Garfield.

Above Lafayette, with Garfield and the bonds clearly visible in the distance

There, I quickly went through Garfield Pond (it is not a good water source, which I learned last time!) Before ascending and descending to Mount Garfield. I took the brief stimulus to the beak, just to visit it again, and took another breath in spring right on the road. I someday met hikers and backpackers, before the descent of death. I am grateful that, although I only had previous experience in approximately 12 miles of the path … that they were centered mostly here. The last time I was here, I was sure that there had to be another path that was not just for this field of rock death that looked at me. But this time, I didn’t even think twice before throwing my posts along the way and descending. And although Garfield’s path to Galehead was not easy, it was certainly easier than the rest of the day.

However, once I arrived at Galehead Hut around 4:30, the tragedy hit (not a real tragedy, but a disappointment). Two hikers, Lucky Charm and Hardcore, had already assumed work for stays! I asked them where they stayed last night, and it turned out that they walked from Greenleaf to Galehead today … A quick 7 -mile walk. WHELP, no matter how fast I felt, I can’t overcome that. Well, days like this, all I can do is take it on the chin and move on.

However, I took some time to … sit. This little setback was nothing important, I know the area and knew where the next stealthy site was. But this morning’s emotional blow to the jaw was still badly sitting on my head. Small comment, great impact. Being back in the white mountains continued to remember me a bit that … well, there are not many minorities along the way. Not in the cabin, hiking of day, or in general. And although it seems that something so small should not affect me so much, after all, I am in the forest enjoying life! Why thought too much? – It was still a reminder that I will always have to take the fact that I am a minority In these forests. Once I told someone that I have met a little less than 1 bipoc every 10 days in the forest, to which the answer was «That’s a lot! The path is so diverse!» For me … that is not.

The box of soap, sat outside and met Sunbeam, a ’23 through Hiker! Actually, he was also at the urgent attention clinic with me the other day, for his own things. We talked a little, while I could use the hot water from the cabin to make my backpack food and try to fill before a place of night hiking. I also spent time buying a game of gloves … and some magical blows of paths. While I was not in danger of freezing death during the night, the temperatures in the mountains were going to enter the 40s, just where my comforter sits in the comfort rating. Doublewide was actually going to stay at the cabin, since he received a stay from a hiker who hurt. Thanks to him, I obtained a lining of the sleeping bag and promised to return it to the Zealand Callas the next day. What a good boy!

Sunbeam, his partner and I passed the time for about two hours, before he finally decided to leave and about South Twin Mountain. While most people describe this climb as super intense … I didn’t really find it so bad. It was steep, of course, but it is also short, so it ended before you realize. And … there was a beautiful view at 360 degree sunset at the top. Up here, I let a cry of frustration for the day, before quickly heading for the stealthy sites I had seen the previous year.

Honestly, however, after all, today he reminded me that I still love the simplicity of this life. There is something amazing to wear everything I need to live in my back, something peaceful to be in my refuge in the deep forest. As I looked towards my durston’s roof … Suddenly things didn’t feel so bad. Gain of 8000 feet of elevation in 14 miles … piece of cake.

(Title lyrics by: The 1, Taylor Swift)