Day: 134, 9/1/2013: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

14.1 miles hiked, The day started with flat terrain to a descent to Crawford Notch. The ascent over Mt Webster was steep in sections and technical over 3 miles. But, I am in the presidential range which is great and the weather has turned sunny and mostly clear! This is good as t-storms had been predicted.

Did a work-for-stay at the hut. There are no camping spots on the ridge and your options are staying at a hut (holds 30-90 people) or dropping off the side of the ridge below treeline to camp. The huts cost $125 a night and includes dinner and breakfast. The huts try to accommodate 2-4 thru-hikers with the work-for-stay option. You need to be there after 4pm. Work is usually doing the dishes, sweeping the hut, folding blankets, etc. You don’t get to eat with the regular paying customers though. You have to watch them eat and then wait until the hut crew eats. After that you get to whatever is leftover. You also do not get a bunk. Instead you use your sleeping bag and sleep in the dining room where they expect you to be up and out of the way by 6:30am. This hut also has the Dungeon option. This is a windowless cellar area where thru-hikers can sometimes stay for $10 without any food options. It somewhat a pain but it was nice having a roof and warm room to sleep in. During the night rain and clouds moved in also.