(Daily Mi: 16.0) Awesome hike today. Choo Choo and I caught a ride back to the Trail from the manager of the Bromely Mt ski resort half a block from the guesthouse without even sticking out a thumb.

At the Trail and the base of Bromley at 8 a.m. and hammered up 2000' to the summit (3260') before 9.

Kids from Overland were up top when I got there. Said hello but started walking fast to make sure I stayed ahead of them.

Crossed a pretty but enclosed saddleback over a couple of peaks and caught up with a thru hiking couple (an ex army ranger and his wife) out of Tampa. They had set out a good hour ahead of me this a.m. and passing them was a sign I was moving well.

Long lunch break at the shelter 9 miles in. Met a very hip southbounding couple from Montana. First Southbounders I had had a chance to speak to. Could tell that they were a little tired of being grilled by northbound hikers, but they did allow that White Mountains were worth the work and that AMC Hut crews were very nice (except the hutmaster at Madison)

Choo Choo came in two hours behind me. Her hives have completely healed up but she is limping badly and I continue to be concerned about her wanting to keep up w/ me.

Got caught in a sudden afternoon shower just out of the shelter and just as I was ascending an exposed rocky knob known as the Scales. Didn't last long enough to get me too wet but sure slicked up the rocks.

Hammered on to the shelter keeping up about a 15 minute mile pace to find the Woodman! tucked in the shelter (learning bad habits from me).