Stealth Camping spot on Mt Pierce to The Perch shelter

Last night sleeping at the stealth campsite underneath the summit of Mount Pierce was pretty cool. I woke up at 5 am refreshed.

Martin and I decided to hike together again today, we on the Trail by 6am. Even though we were surrounded by panoramic views all was concealed by misty cloud’s.

Eventually the sky opened up and the domed peak of Mount Eisenhower revealed its self as it stood proud above tree line. 

The first stop of the day would be at an  AMC hut named “Lakes of the clouds hut”, I had been here in 2019 I was looking forward to returning. It was funny as Martin could not get the pronunciation right or the order of the words for Lakes of the Clouds, it created much entertainment as we hiked.

After what didn’t seem too long we arrived at the hut. I went in and asked the hut crew if there were any leftovers available (thru hikers get left overs at AMC huts). I was told by Isac a pleasant young man if I didn’t mind sweeping up with a broom which he  provided he would bring the leftovers to the table.

I couldn’t believe when Isac bought out several plates of food piled high including oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausages, and a whole tray of home-made cinnamon cake.

By now other thru hikers had arrived and we all feasted on this banquet with great pleasure. I even took a large piece of the cinnamon cake and added it to my bag for afterwards.

There is nothing more rewarding after hiking 10 hours every day than earning the food we eat. Sitting and taking pleasure eating is one of the joys of this journey.

After the banquet we went swimming in one of the lakes. Swimming for me is one of life’s pleasures but swimming in an Alpine mountain lake is reinvigorating in every aspect of the word. I swam completely naked and therefore did not need to dry my shorts after.

Next was the long climb up to Mt Washington. Mt Washington stands at 6,288 feet and has had a wind reading of 231 miles per hour, the fastest ever recorded by man. This is where Andrew Thompson’s FKT attempt came to an end before he finally got the record in 2005.

At the top the views where vast and clear of cloud in every direction. There was a race Redbull extreme car race going on. They were using the 8 mile round leading up to Mt Washington. I chatted with Travis Pastrana for a while, such cool friendly guy who loves what he does. Travis is an extreme sports super star, he hold the word record on the climb at 5 minutes. He told me they clocked 143 miles per hour going up. It’s sheer clif drops around the road, Martin my trail buddy has been following him for years and saod Travis with the stunts he does should actually be dead by now.

I ate meat feast pizza and drank Dr Pepper in the mountain lodge. Whilst at the table I chatted with 3 woman to my left who were doing a 20 mile plus day. They told us of a project called the 4K Grid where you climb all the 4K footers in New Hampshire each month for every month of the year, which means you get to see all the mountains in every season. The one lady offered me her dirty girl gaiters as I was asking her about them, such cool ladies.

It was a long hot walk to our final destination called the Perch. A shelter run by the Randolph Mountain Club (RCA). 

It’s cool hanging out with Martin. We both talk a lot about many different subjects. Sometimes I hike ahead and chill in my own thoughts. Tomorrow Martin meets four of his friends and think that’s where we say good bye. 

I have a full belly now and I’m pleased to be in my tent on my back. Been a long da, I love this lifestyle. Meeting so many new people every day.