The White Mountains are spectacular. Their freakin' tough and I'm going to have to get used to going slower for a while. The assents and descents are pretty incomparable to the mountains down south. It's kinda different going straight down a mountain. Straight down. On your butt, grabbing trees and rocks to hang on. 50 mph winds, 40 degree temps, and slippery rocks. Cpd has been following along and joining in some of the fun. I'm so glad I've gotten to share some of this with my dad. (Some meaning over 1000 miles). For the past 3 days I've hiked with a friend 'two thirds' and up until today, have been tackling these mountains pretty well. We sat today at a shelter, starring a big mountain in the face, and listened to 6 other thru hikers talk about ending their day at 1pm after just 4 miles. I did just that. The trail is difficult but its really not that bad. Just gotta keep on pushing.

The Whites

There's no doubt that the White Mountains are going to be the most challenging mountains yet....but also the most rewarding. So what it takes me almost a hour to go a mile on some of these mountains; I get some of the best views I've had on the trail.

The Green Mountain State

A wet welcome to Vermont 

A morning on Glastenbury Mountain 

 Headed up Stratton Mountain

 Stratton

 Stratton Pond

 A random rock scramble out of nowhere took us up here

 Rock Garden

 This took some time to build

 One of my friends '2/3' and a super sweet spot on the river. Last time I camped with this guy we almost tripped over a rattlesnake AT NIGHT going to hang our food.

 These climbs late in the day while its getting dark are always fun.

 The trail up Killington

CPD coming up Killington

 Seeing someone painting the white blazes was pretty special

 One of the many ski resorts in VT

 "When in doubt, the A.T always goes up"

 The maple trees of Vermont

 A system of tubing tapped into the maple trees to get the syrup goin'

 The last night in VT

 Drinks before the trail hit the road into New Hampshire

 Trail Magic in front of someones house on the way into NH. Fruit, cookies, sandwiches, and drinks. These kind of people amaze me. On our way into Hanover on the highway, a woman pulled over and handed me a huge muffin thru her car window. Its crazy!

 Hanover, New Hampshire home to Dartmouth College where Dr. Sues graduated.....and the movie 'Animal House' was based on.

 Definitely one of the nicest hotels i've stayed at. Ever. Hikers score a 50% discount here...hell of a deal.

With the low temps we had in the upper 40's a couple nights, this guy was happy to get his cold weather gear back. Onward to the Whites and Maine!