Up early and on the trail at 6:20am. Breakfast consisted of mixed nuts and leftover chocolate milk. Yum! Hiking was easy for five miles with minimal elevation gain thru forest of hemlock, sugar maple, and red oak. I found plenty of water in small streams. About seven miles on the day, I started a 1000-ft. climb to the Moose Mtn shelter. The Dartmouth Outing Club maintains this part of the AT. The trail signs are delightful (see photo). At the shelter, I met day-hiker Mouse and her dog, Isis. She shared sweet cherries with me. After a level walk, I descended for 1000 ft to Goose Pond Road then up 1000 ft to Holt's Ledge for a view of the forested countryside. Back down to the turnoff to the Trapper John shelter at mile 15.8 on the day. I dropped down to a gravel road and started upward without any energy. But I kept going for about two miles. Thankfully, I found a level camp site in the woods 200 ft from the trail. I set up my tent and took a nap, exhausted. I eventually revived and ate a cold dinner in my tent with mosquitoes buzzing outside. I'm not in trail shape yet. 18.1 miles today.
