White Mountains and the Appalachian Trail

The Rattle River section of the Appalachian Trail. White Mountains New Hampshire.
I loved it here.
It is buzzing with energy and activity.
Hikers and Backpackers swarming the mountains.
Notice the head light  stretched over  the sign. This left behind for a hiker in need.

We took a photo of the back of this sign at the head of the Rattle River section of the Appalachian trail. Notice the bagged items taped to the sign and those  sitting on the ground.These are left by various individuals to help replenish the supplies of the weary thru hiker of the Appalachian trail.
I believe those are a couple of beers sitting down on the ground with a couple of bottles of liquid for starting a fire.

There are some very interesting stories about the perils of the Appalachian trail hikers if you ever have an opportunity to read some of the stories about their experiences. Approx. 2200 miles over varied and rugged terrain with all their daily needs  strapped to their backs.
 It takes about 7 months for a thru hiker to complete the hike. The trail starts at Springer Mountains in Georgia and ends at Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The trials are maintained by various Appalachian Trail Clubs along the borders of the trails throughout it's entire length.

Go Norm! Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Well, three miles of it anyway.
It is beautiful here in the White Mountains.

Rattle River Shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Constructed just for the use of the Appalachian trail hikers to shelter from the inclement weather. Multiple hikers are known to occupy one of these shelters at one time.

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is the oldest and the first Cog railroad in the world. Started in 1866 . We boarded at base camp at an elevation of 2700 feet. Chugged up to 6288 feet to the top of Mt. Washington. The average grade is 25% with sections as much as  37%. Note the locomotive boiler is tilted so when going up the steep grade the boiler will be mostly level.

How the Cog Railway works--------The 2.8 miles of track are built entirely on wooden trestle. On top of the wooden trestle two light steel rails are laid in a method similar to standard railroad. The rails are raised to allow clearance for a spur gear which drives the locomotive. Located in the center of the steel rail is a cog rack. The locomotive and cars are equipped with cogs that engage into the rack. The cog is driven by steam pistons of the locomotive through the system of gears.

Then, while this little steam engine chugs down the hill with it's 37% grade, We passenger's in the little  red caboose, which is completely uncoupled from the little steam engine, plunging down the hill just behind this little steam engine depending on our brakeman to NOT make a boo-boo with the braking system. AAAAHH!
This little steam engine is only there to stop us should the brakes fail.

Mt Washington summit 6288 feet. The termination of Crawford path trail. the oldest mountain hiking trail in America. First laid out in 1819 and continues to be used today. Very foggy this AM. Soon to clear and warm to a lovely day.
It was fun to see the Appalachian trail hikers stop by the lodge up here for a respite. Norm talked to 3 fellows who had started hiking from Georgia in March and had been hiking for 6 months. They have 6 weeks to finish the last 300 miles.

Due to the high winds and unusual weather, this house at the summit of Mt. Washington  is chained down to keep it from blowing away. They have very high winds up here.

It's August, warm and humid in Gorham where we are staying at the base of the mountain . But up here on Mt. Washington it is foggy and in the 50 degree Fahrenheit range. NOTE the sign. The highest winds ever observed by man were recorded here on Mt. Washington. Again, see the chains holding the building.
I am all bundled up. I am wearing what I call "the Connie Scarf". My sister Connie knitted this scarf for me 10 years ago and I wear it often.