I was awake by 0430 and couldn't go back to sleep. Instead, I took my backpack and tried to repack it in the common area. Throughout this trip, I'd been unable to dry anything and almost all of my clothes were damp or completely soaked. I started with the pants that seemed the least wet, a clean shirt and some good socks (hoping to avoid blisters) and waited until the Hut Croo called "breakfast" at 0700. We were treated to some good food and skits again and I was ready to go by 0800. This morning's hike began with a nearly 1000 foot climb up to the summit of South Twin Mountain (4900 feet). I started close to the same group of hikers from the previous day but left them behind quickly. When I reached the top of the mountain, there was no view at all because we were completely enshrouded by a cloud. There was a brief period of time when I had a breeze but the trail (AT AKA Twinway Trail) quickly dropped back into the tree line and all coolness was lost. Unlike the previous day, when almost all of my hiker encounters were near the Huts, I was passed by several NOBO Thru Hikers (going the same way) and lots of SOBO Thru Hikers (going the other way). After I reached the junction for the Bondcliff Trail (close to half way), I started to see day hikers - LOTS of them! I lost count of how many people I passed on my way to Zealand Falls Hut and thanked my lucky stars that I was leaving the trail today... Like yesterday, the humidity and temps were pretty unpleasant and I once again found myself soaked with sweat. But I kept on going and made pretty good time (compared to the previous day). I crossed Mount Guyot (4600 feet) on the way down but it didn't count as a 4000 footer because it was too close to South Twin. But I did get credit for summiting Mount Zealand (4260 feet)... Because the sun came out and started cooking me as I walked, I ended up skipping several chances for views of the area (including the Zeacliff). Instead, I focused on the increasingly difficult descent down the ridge. Sometimes, climbing seems like the hardest part of a hike - but a steep descent (especially with wet rocks) can often be harder and take longer to navigate the same distance. By the time I finally arrived at the Zealand Falls AMC Hut (1315), I was pretty tired after my 5+ hours of walking (7+ miles). I recharged with water and lemonade inside the Hut for about an hour and talked to several people who were planning to stay overnight there. I'd been unsuccessful in getting a bunk when I tried the week before so had planned to hike back to my car on the Zealand Trail (2.5 miles). Starting at around 1415, I followed this plan and made my way down a long ravine on a mostly-smooth trail. I passed members of the Hut Croo as they were bringing groceries and supplies up the mountain and was glad I didn't have to do their job... Arrived at my car by 1530 after about 10 miles of hiking for the day. Feeling good that I managed to finish this difficult 13.5 mile section, make some friends and enjoy a few nights in a few more AMC Huts. Thinking back, I figure that I've actually been to all of them at least once... After getting done, I changed out of my wet clothes and got on the road. When I reached US-302, I texted the kids (to tell them that I was out of the hiking zone). Headed west to US-3 and then proceeded south. Listened to audiobooks on the way. To reach Hanover, I used NH-141, NH-18, Wells Road, NH-116, NH-10, River Road, NH/VT-25 and I-91. I arrived at my condo by 1700. While unpacking, I kept thinking about how I'm really close to finishing the AT in New Hampshire and have broken the 2000 mile mark of hiking the trail in sections. Feel good about making progress on the goal of finishing some day! AT Today = 7.0 miles / G.T. AT = 2003.8 miles / AT Left = 181.5 miles / NH 4000 Footers #18 and #19 of 48
