The day for the Gang of Four began with a very steep climb downhill from Garfield Ridge Campground, then some more rocky trail over to the Galehead Hut, not quite three miles away. We were hoping for the dregs of breakfast leftovers that are sometime available to through hikers. We scored on the last cereal bowl size helping of scrambled eggs with zucchini, and three small pieces of coffee cake. This free food we quickly inhaled. We also bought a few very tasty brownies. X also had a cup of coffee which gave her a burst of energy to propel her up the next climb: South Twin Mountain.

The AT up South Twin gains 1,100′ in less than a mile, and if the trail had a single switchback, we sure missed it. With her caffeine fix, X just zoomed up the hill, while N was staggered by the unforgiving climb. We were ready for a break on top, where we met several weekend hikers out bagging some of the 48 4,000 foot peaks to be found in the White Mountains.

As we were leaving the summit of South Twin, the great luck we’ve had weather-wise started coming to an end with the arrival of some very dark clouds. The sun came back out, but then here came the rain. We had hoped to reach Ethan Pond Campsite tonight, but the difficulty of the trail in general and the added element of wet rocks made that too difficult. So we are fortunate enough to have a work-for-stay at our first overnight at an AMC hut. Our assigned task is talking with the paying guests about our collective thru hike. Another new adventure on the AT…