Day 23, July 22, 13.6 miles
We were up and out of the shelter by 7 am. Today was to climb South Twin Mountain and then take Zeacliff Ridge to Ethan Pond Shelter. Doesn’t sound like much, but it is definitely true that your miles are considerably shorter in NH and Maine. The 2-2 1/2 mph pace comes to a screeching halt in the Whites. We are doing 1-1/2 mph here. It’s REAL mountain climbing. I love it, but it’s hard. I’m so glad I’ve teamed up with Poego and Still Thinking because the trail isn’t very well marked and there are some pretty scary sections. Today we started with one such section. I guess because of the rain yesterday, the trail leaving Garfield was the steepest I’ve seen yet and it was literally a waterfall straight over a cliff. As a group, we typically hike separately. I’m strongest in the morning, so I head out first. I’ll stop at some obvious spot for lunch and Still Thinking comes up and then Poego shows up and we have lunch. After lunch, Still Thinking is strongest so he heads out first, then I’m in the middle and Poego still lags. Still Thinking stops midday for a snack or view and we all catch up. Then, late afternoon is Poego’s best time so he takes the lead, then Still Thinking, and I lag behind. We know where we’re shooting for so we all show up at the shelter or campsite usually with 15-30 minutes of each other. It works great. However, today when I got to the waterfall, I thought, “This can’t really be the trail.” I stopped in my tracks and waited for the other two. I was actually really nervous about the descent. It was painstakingly slow, but we made it. Whew!👍🏻
So how in the world can I eat so much? I have never heard n my life eaten like I’m eating. I can’t carry enough food. My pack gets heavier every time I resupply because I have to take more and more food. I actually get tired of eating, but I’m hungry all the time and I’ve actually lost weight. If I stop hiking, it wouldn’t take but one day of me continuing to eat like this to can it all back.
Well not much interesting to talk about. I’m making my way through New Hampshire.
Speck In The Woods 
We feel much better that u 3 r together their is a lot of prayers going up for uall be careful we love u
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Not that I was ever thinking about doing the App Trail but you have closed that door for me. Sllet and snow in July! I had a busy week. We had grandchildren while getting ready to put curtains in Mr. Nickolson( George Walton) house. Plus Suzanne was in hospital agiain Monday nite thru today with more infections. She may have added Pseudomonious(?) to C-Def and MRSA Staff . I will go with them Monday to the doctor that put in the shunt. Stay tuned. Anyway, I hope the rest of your trip on the trail continues to be exciting but maybe just a little warmer. Tappey
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