Joe and I planned to climb Mt. Lafayette, then walk the Franconia Ridge, climb Mt. Lincoln, and continue along the ridge to Little Haystack. From there we would drop down the Falling Waters Trail, making a loop back to our car. It’s a two hour drive to the trailhead, and we decided an overnight at the AMC Greenleaf Hut, high on the side of Mt. Lafayette, would make this a leisurely trip. From there we would be well positioned to finish the climb the next day.

While packing up for the drive over to Franconia Notch, I discovered there was no bread to make sandwiches for lunch. No fear, we could buy some ready-made at a convenience store along the way. We stopped in Center Conway and looked at their selection. The tuna sandwiches were a bit soggy, but there were two roast beef that looked fine. A quick purchase and the problem was solved. We were unaware we had bought a new problem. 

Joe parked at the trailhead for the Old Bridle Path. We geared up, and headed out, soon reaching the junction with the Falling Waters Trail. Our route was to the left, on Old Bridle. If all went well, the next day we would return to this spot by way of the Falling Waters Trail.

After climbing for a while we met two older ladies hiking down, with a young woman leading them. One lady was moving very slowly. The young woman said she was staying at the hut that night, and it was plain she was a hut croo member, escorting the two women down the mountain. I suspected one of the ladies was hurting, by the way she stepped, and noticed the croo member was carrying her backpack.

About the time we came to the edge of a ravine I could no longer pretend I wasn't hearing thunder. We’d already donned rain coats due to some previous light rain. Now it started in earnest. We decided to take a break and eat our lunch while waiting out the storm. Joe fished out the roast beef sandwiches. I took a bite of mine while he got the sodas. I no more than bit through it and I knew the meat was rotten. Wow, badly rotten. Got rid of that real fast and started rinsing my mouth out. I had slightly smelled something when I unwrapped it, but hadn’t paid attention, as my mind was on the thunderstorm. I should have! Had I inadvertently swallowed some, and would I be taken with food poisoning up in the mountains?

As it turned out, all was well, but I didn’t feel free from worry til the next morning. We unwrapped Joe’s, and smelled. Man, as bad as mine. If you ever buy sandwiches at a convenience store, before you leave, unwrap the things to see if they’re fit to eat. These hadn’t been safe for two days! So, no lunch for us. We drank our sodas, and nibbled on some homemade jerky and fruit leather.

Continued hiking, but went only a short distance before it came in to hard rain and lightening again. This time we stopped at the same place a couple with two children were hold up, eating lunch while they waited out the storm.

It was a good thing we stopped where we did, as just beyond, the trail climbs the spine of a ridge, over exposed ledges. Not a place I wanted to be in a lightening storm. When the rain let up we continued on, and soon came to great views of the Three Agonies. They’re three steep pitches, the first one being the worst. In the middle of the first pitch the next thunderstorm rolled in-- a bad one.