6/30/22
White Mountains Guide Day Eight

Today started off rough. I didn’t feel good at all. But I had to hike, so I pushed forward and kept reminding myself that I only had to do 7 miles. Then, out of nowhere, as I approached the intersection of The Link and Israel Ridge Path, I saw a person’s sleeping bag just sitting there on the side of the trail. Doing a little more investigating, I realized that it was clear someone had spent some time there, trying to get warm, before (hopefully) heading the remainder of the way to the trailhead. I spent the rest of the hike wondering what happened and being a bit creeped out by the strange array of items this person had left. I never did find out what happened or if the person was ok, but I want to believe they were. I was reminded that feeling a little sick and tired is nothing compared to what this person had faced on trail.

Daily Miles: 7.39
Overall Miles: 85.19
Daily Vert: 2610’
Overall Vert:27,383’
Guide: 3.5% -> 3.9%

Trails:

Castle Trail
Israel Ridge Path
Emerald Trail
Castle Ravine Trail
The Link
Emerald Bluff