...and they are brutal...and treacherous...and a sight to see.

Into the Whites...

Another great series of trail magic and a night out at Dartmouth. New Hampshire begins today. It's the beginning of the end. :)

On the train north back to the trail thinking to myself, am I actually headed home? It's going to be a bittersweet finish.

My last big break is coming to an end. Tomorrow I will be on the train back to Vermont. Breaks are always good and bad I have found. It's great to rest your body and see family and friends, but it can be difficult mentally to start back up.

Thursday I will enter into New Hampshire beginning the 2nd to last state and according to many the most difficult. NH comprises the White Mountains which are the most beautiful, difficult, and dangerous mountains on the trail, often being above tree line. Mt. Washington is in this range. From there is Maine, which is said to be the most rugged state. I will be fording waters and hiking through some very remote areas.

It is back into the wilderness and cell service may be scarce, so posts may be limited, but I will do what I can.

The last leg is upon me and is what I have been looking forward to for four months. Bring it on.

So the train isn't as fun as I'd anticipated, but it is better than Greyhound. Passed by Bear Mountain and the Hudson River bridge there, I hiked weeks ago.

In Rutland, just saw the movie Ted. Good times. On the train tomorrow, home for the weekend. The last few weeks have been tough on the body.

75% complete. Vermont is very beautiful and peaceful. We seem to be going ski slope to ski slope.

11/14 states will be completed today. Going into Vermont. Kind of hard to believe. Taking the AMTRAK home for next weekend.

Slackpacking south from North Adams to Dalton. 23 miles over Mt Greylock. Staying in Tom Levardi's hiker house.