Fortieth day S 8/15/20

START:   Lyme-Dorchester Rd. 3:59 amFINISH:  Kinsman  Notch  8:35 pm33.2 miles   16:36      2mph1,814.2 total miles    45.4 mpdWeather nice with a short afternoon shower.Mountain summit fogged in but clear below.Mercury met her first White Mountain - a 3,800 foot ascent in about 2.5 miles!The descent of Mt. Moosilauke is probably the second or third most treacherous descent on the entire trail for a northbounder. A 2000' ft. descent in only 1.5 miles, some on wooden steps drilled into 20-30' rock faces next to cataracts (not the ones that are eye-related). Mercury cautiously stepped her way down at dusk, some of it lit by her two lights (hand-held and headlight).She was rewarded at day's end with a turkey bagel sandwich and chocolate covered raisins as compensation.The next two days will determine whether she will be able to finish under 50 days or not.The lack of road crossings and very rugged terrain make the next two days the most physically challenging she will have encounter yet."Learn wildness and you don't fear anything, except people afraid."