Vermont Long Trail End-to-End in Two Sections

2011-2012

Section 1) MA/VT Border to Maine Jct. (July 20
th
July 26
th
2011)
(Hiked as part of my NOBO A.T thru-hike)

(NOTE - Format is: Date (Place stayed that night) (Miles covered that day))

FYI: For section 1 keep in mind that I was already over 1,700 miles into my AT
thru-hike, and thus my mileage, and my timing was very different from when I did
section 2. The first 100 miles of the LT are also easier than the last 173, so mileage will
usually show that.

July 20 (The Vortex in Bennington, VT) (21.4 miles)
I munched on a Kashi Bar for breakfast while limping my way downhill for 4 miles
on sore cramped feet to the Stop & Shop at the MA Rt. 2 crossing for a snack with
Trashcan. At the store we ran into Comfortably Numb and enjoyed our food and the
chance to get ice-cold tap water to help with the heat. We continued along after our
stop, and ran into the Alien, Shenanigans, Mingo, Goldilocks & Havoc crew that had
camped just before the shelter we stayed at the previous night. Just 4 miles after the
grocery store we hit the MA/VT state line and the start of where we hike the Long
Trail/ Appalachian Trail for the next 105 miles or so. After some photos and
congratulations for reaching yet another state in this epic quest toward Maines
version of Mordor, we hiked together as one big happy family all the way to the
long descent to Vt. 9 and the hitch into Bennington, VT.
My thanks go out to Mingos wife for giving Trashcan and myself ice cold Powerade
on a day when your body craves it more than beer! Mingo met his wonderful wife at
the road crossing to stay in a local campsite for a few days while she slackpacked
him for a bit. Trashcan and I hitched into town and got a free night at a nice local
couples house called The Vortex. We got to stay in their barn along with a SOBO
named Fern Toes, and it is the first time Ive ever camped out next to a pool table.
With the evening fast approaching, Trashcan and I headed for a nice local
microbrewery that had an amazing Strawberry Hefeweizer and AYCE Fish & Chips.
They were so good that Id walk 500 miles and I d walk 500 more just to get it
again! After celebrating 1,600 miles in glorious fashion I called it quits and we
headed back to get some rest after chatting with Fern Toes for a bit.


July 21 (Story Spring Shelter) (19 miles)
Packed up by 7:30am with Trashcan and Fern Toes and got a hitch within 10
minutes of walking, which Im sure was helped by us having beautiful Fern Toes
increasing our hitch-ability tenfold! Parted ways in our SOBO and NOBO directions
and I immediately noticed a massive increase in horse flies. With the my
determination greater than the bugs, I marched onward and ran into fellow AT thru-
hikers Yak & Stitch, Balance & Y-Knot, Blue Eyes and a few others that were out
doing the Long Trail. Strangely Ive been having a feeling of uselessness all day, and
it seems out of place with how I feel overall. Hopefully this is just a down day for me,
and given some rest Im sure that it will pass tomorrow. Winding down from the
warm and buggy day, I enjoyed a nice evening at the shelter just chatting, and
preparing myself for NH and the much-anticipated White Mountains.


July 22 (Green Mt Hostel, Manchester VT)
After a brief rainstorm last night, the morning dawned bright and hot! Up early to
try and beat some of the heat, and we rolled out of camp at 6:45am, and with the
high reaching 93* today Im sure glad we did! By 9am Trashcan and myself had
hiked the 7.5 miles to Stratton Mt Fire tower for a magnificent 360* view of the
landscape! The 30miph winds made the climb up the tower a bit interesting for me,
but it was a nice respite from the high number of horse flies that have appeared
since entering VT. Pushed on after a relaxing time at the fire tower and reached the
Manchester road crossing by 3:30pm for a quick hitch into the P.O. so that Trashcan
could get his mail drop. Ran into Jeff from the Green Mountain Hostel and where
able to snag 2 spots in his full hostel from people who had just canceled their
reservation, which it turned out was Freight Train and Plan B. Good for us since we
got a spot, but bummer that we wont seen them at the hostel.
For $20 I got a shower, bunk with sheets, laundry, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's!
Was able to split a large pizza with Trashcan in town and then resupply at the
grocery store before being picked up by the hostel shuttle at 5pm. I met some
awesome SOBO hikers and section hikers and have a very relaxing evening to refuel
and relax the body. Met Balance & Y-Knot at the grocery resupplying, and then saw
them again back at the hostel with Lion-Lily and Pancakes who are two SOBOs that
spent the night trying to find a way to buy a canoe for a little aqua-blazing down to
around NY. Almost went overboard with the sugar rush from all-you-can-drink soda,
but polished off a pint of Ben & Jerrys before showering, getting my laundry
washed, and then finally turning in around 10pm.
Only 537 miles to go until Katahdin! I'm so excited its hard to contain! I anticipate
finishing the last week of August, but will let the weather dictate my days since I
don't plan on summiting the nice views in bad weather, and would likely just wait a
day and hope for it to clear. So far its been an amazing trip and I'm looking forward
to an even more amazing finish. Come on you beautiful New England countryside!
Im ready for you now!

July 23 (Big Branch Shelter) (16.5 miles)
Got a bit lazy this morning after having what was arguably the best nights sleep
since starting! Roused myself at 7:30am for pancakes that Lion Lily made the batter
for and Trashcan cooked, and I gorged on two plates of pancakes before I was
stuffed. I then just stood by in silent amazement once again at the amount of food
that Trashcan was able to pack away; even among thru-hikers he ate epic amounts
of food. Trashcan, Balance & Y-Knot and I decided to hang around the hostel and
watch the 20
th
stage of the Tour De France! I enjoyed watching Cadel Evans make an
unexpectedly strong finish to win over Andy Schleck, and tried not to think about
how many miles they did per hour.
The four of us finally got hiking around noon after getting dropped off at the trail,
and hiked a few easy miles to enjoy an excellent view at Bromley Mtn. just past 1pm.
Lounged around for an hour and snacked while chatting with a new NOBO hiker
named Bat. Wound up doing over 16 miles that afternoon when we met up with
Freight Train and Plan B and decided to continue on to the next shelter with them.
We also had Portrait, Art Gypsy, Twoper, and some other NOBOs at the shelter for
the night, and enjoyed catching up with hikers Id met before, and meeting new
ones.

July 24 (Clarendon Gorge Shelter) (16.9 miles)
Had a warm but decent sleep and was ready to go after a night of listening to the
water lull me to sleep. Enjoyed a nice easy walk to the Clarendon Gorge, which
Trashcan and I passed to quick pop into the grocery store miles down VT 103 just
after the gorge. With snacks in tow and ice cream and soda in our bellies, we got a
hitch back to the gorge for an hour of sunbathing and swimming. It stayed beautiful
all day, and we had perfect 75* highs for the day and enjoyed staying camped out on
some pine needles. Portrait camped out near-bye, while Freight Train and Plan B
camped out behind the shelter, and Trashcan joined 4 Long Trail hikers, a
Ridgerunner named Bliss, and some overnight hikers in the shelter for the night.
Looking forward to breaking the 500 miles to go barrier tomorrow! Vermont its
been a blast, but come on New Hampshire and Maine, Im ready for you!

July 25 (Twelve Tribes Hostel in Rutland, VT) (16.4 miles)
I woke up well rested after a night of tenting out on a bed of pine needles under
the canopy of the tall telephone-pole-like trees. I woke up at 7am and had downed a
ridiculously unsatisfying pop-tart breakfast, and begun hiking with Trashcan by
7:30am. We both enjoyed getting some ice cold soda Trail Magic at the 500 Miles
To Katahdin sign and taking some photos while we chatted with a nice couple out
for the week that were doing a 60 mile section in that area and were noticing the
large difference in the amount of gear they had with them for one week, versus the
gear that we had with us for months. We brief chatted about lightweight options for
surviving in the great outdoors, and after wishing them well, we pushed on the Mt
Killington.
By the time we began our climb up Killington the mountain was already starting to
be completely enveloped by a fast thickening cover of fog that swirled up and down
all around us. It was one of a handful of Lord of the Rings moments during this
walk north, a simply epic experience of and all consuming air thick and blowing,
acting as an almost silent hiker blazing an unknown path through the mountain.
Walking up to the Clarendon Shelter, the rain began to come down with meaning as
the fog and wind continued to increase. With no view at all, we opted to not do the
short side trail to the peak of Mt Killington, knowing that there would be nothing to
see. Undaunted by our lack of view we continued on in the rain until U.S. Rt. 4 at our
turnoff for Rutland, VT when the rain quickly began to subside. A nice local
gentleman who did a lot of Trail Angel work helping hikers in the area, was driving
by in his truck and gave Trashcan and I a ride into town after only waiting a few
minutes in the dissipating rain.
Always up for a new experience, we decided to try and get a work-for-stay at the
12 Tribes Hostel in town with very nice people who are living in a sort of early-
Jewish-commune type of lifestyle. They generously gave us clothes to wear while
we showered and washed our laundry, and then assisted them in a few chores such
repairing some box fans before we escaped to get our binge on. I got 9 burgers at
Wendys before resupplying at Wal-Mart and then settling down at the hostel to chat
with an A.T. SOBO named Quiet Elf and a L.T. NOBO who was starting in Rutland the
next day.
Too tired to do much else, I caught up on some writing and reorganizing my gear
before I drifted of for a restless sleep indoors. Ive found that Im starting to sleep
better in my tent in the middle of nowhere on of an inch of padding than I do
indoors on a bed, which leaves me with yet another weird but kind of makes-me-
rugged-and-outdoorsy feeling. Poor sleep included, I do enjoy the occasional change
of pace of towns for resupplying and checking in at home, but Im starting to wish
that I only had to hit towns every two weeks or so. It could just be a passing fad, so
Ill wait a few hundred more miles and see if Im whistling a different tune.

July 26 (Stony Brook Shelter) (10 miles)
Got up for a very awkward breakfast of toast and oatmeal around the table in the
back room. To help explain let me say that the Hostel is just the upstairs, and that
the downstairs is a full service caf and bakery called the Back Home Again Caf
and its run by the family of the 12 Tribes. While some of them joined the hikers
for breakfast, it was mostly a silent table when the hikers didnt speak. Since Ive
always been used to massive chatter over group meals, it wasnt bad or purposely
unfriendly in any way, it was just very much more subtly formal than I was used to
for breakfast.
After thanking our hosts, Trashcan and I got the 10:15am bus in town out to the
trailhead and got another 3 miles into Killington, VT for an extended lunch while the
rain once again began its ecstatic dance on the pavement. We swung into the Deli
at Killington Corners for some food and drink. I enjoyed a few hot dogs, chips, and
pint of hard cider that I unthinkingly opened right there at the counter in the deli
and started drinking with my hot dogs. I then realized that Id been in the woods for
a very long time. The man behind the counter was kind enough to get me a cup and
dispose of the evidence so that I didnt have to throw it away. We chatted with
Cackles, Moses, a L.T hiker named Samir, and had Freight Train and Plan B catch up
and join us for some eating and chatting as the rain continued its never-ending
dance all around us.
After the much-enjoyed break from the rain, Trashcan and I continued on in the
rain to the Stony Brook Shelter for a nice short day. I set up my tent quickly and
Trashcan crashed in the shelter as he usually did. I enjoyed listening to the rain
patter against the taught Cuben Fiber material of my tent as I settled in for a very
quiet and pleasant evening.



Section 2) Maine Jct. to Journeys End/Canadian Border
(September 10th-21
st
)

September 10
th
Rolston Rest Shelter (4 miles mostly a travel day)
My decision to hike the rest of the Vermont Long trail was not really my own.
Having hiked the first 100 miles in 2011 while on my Appalachian Trail adventure, I
was almost pulled into the lure of Vermonts Northern woods as I passed by to head
north and finish my AT trek. Having resisted the lure for as long as I could, the trail
drew me back to finish off its journey without the rush or distraction that doing it
during the AT hike would have caused. Vermont is fondly known by those who hike
it as VerMud or the place were you literally feel like you are part of the earth.
Mostly wet trail year-round ensure that the trail seeks out more durable hiking
surfaces when possible. The only down-side to that is that if youre not hiking in the
mud, then youre probably scrambling up some ridiculous mountainside ravine,
loosely blazed as a trail for those fool-hardy enough to challenge themselves on it.
Mornings rays of sun found me all packed up and ready to go. Unsure of the
availability of good food along the trail I packed 5 days of dehydrated meals and 2
liters of water, which brought my total pack weight to 22 lbs. Now for most
backpackers Im sure dehydrated food seems like a fairly regular menu item for
someone who has hiked almost 3,000 miles of trails thus far. Not true for me. I had 1
dehydrated meal during my whole 5 months on the A.T, and I had it my very first
day on the trail (a parting gift from friends back home). Ive got weeks worth of
Backpackers Pantry and Ive never actually bothered to try it. We shall see what
happens to my digestion as I embark upon this rugged and often lonesome trail.
Had an uneventful drive from CT up to the Inn at the Long Trail, but was shocked
at the damage that Hurricane Irene had caused to the area (I was waiting out the
storm outside Baxter State Park, and finished the day the re-opened Katahdin after
Irene). Arrived just before they started serving lunch, so hung around and checked
the place out while I waited. Once they opened I enjoyed a celebratory meal and a
cold pint, and headed out to the car to load up and get muddy. Bumped into a few
guys that I knew that where going to take a zero day, as they had started 9 days
prior at the Southern terminus and needed a rest. Left the parking lot at around 2pm
and headed up the Sherbourne pass trail. With the first shelter having burned down
years ago, I stopped at around 4pm at Rolstons Rest for the evening. Enjoyed lots of
lounging time, and even met a NOBO who stayed the night that was doing the whole
trail in 9 days. Whats the fun in that, I thought to myself, wishing him well on his
hike because hey, youve got to hike your own hike. Lights out when nature said
so, and I read on my Nook for a few hours. A few hours post dinner, I began to notice
that I was producing a lot of gas. Suspicious of the culprit, and with the new
dehydrated dinner leading the pack of suspects, I decided to keep a watchful eye,
and nose, on how my body responded to its sustenance over the next week.

September 11
th
Sucker Brook Shelter (20.3 miles)
Only slept for around 5 hrs, which is fairly normal for me at the beginning of a
hike. Was up and hiking by 7am as per my usual. Temps hovered around 68* and a
bit humid, but I enjoyed the variety of the trail today. Got a nice view of the
Chittenden Reservoir, before descending into Brandon Gap. Mt. Horrid and the Great
Cliffs were a favorite for the day, and I was surprised that the GMC didnt make more
of a deal about making sure people took the side trail to take in the view (well worth
the few minutes to walk over). Enjoyed a peaceful afternoon walk without bumping
into anyone else, and had the shelter all to myself for the night. Tried some Pad Thai
noodles and though not a horrible taste (way too salty) I think that the gassy trend
will continue all long as I eat this stuffoh well, Ill plan on trying to get more food
along the way if I can. Evening temps around 48* with a slight breeze. Once again
will enjoy some reading before I turn in.

September 12
th
Battell Shelter (23.6 miles + 1.6 miles up/down Mt.
Abraham)

A not-so-early start at 8:30 am, and passed by the Middlebury Snowbowl around
10am and briefly chatted with a maintenance man about how to not lose the blazes
while crossing the ski hills. Ive noticed that water seems to be very touch-and-go
thus far, with most of the supposed reliable water sources being dry. Ended up
hiking with a half liter for around 8 miles till I found a small puddle near the trail
that I could scoop up. Bumped into 3 college kids SOBOing a two day section, and
was given rave reviews about the nice view from Skyline Lodge. Tempted though I
was to check out the lodge, I really wanted to try and push for a sunset dinner on Mt.
Abraham, so I soldiered onward, over Breadloaf, Wilson, Cleveland, and Grant. Got
some sweet pictures on Sunset Ledge at 5:45pm, and two guys that were up for the
sunset said that if I pushed, I could make the summit by sunset (around 7:25pm).
Climbed out of Lincoln gap feeling hungry and ready for a summit, and successfully
made a push to the top of Abraham by 7pm. Got some trail magic water from some
day hikers, as well as the empty water bottle which I cut down into a water scoop,
so I could pull from puddles quicker. Fired up the Jetboil and took some inspiring
photos of the sunset while I ate my Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce and pretended that I
wasnt exhausted, nor worried about carrying my whole pack back down the 0.8
miles to the shelter (brought the whole thing up cause I didnt want anything
stolen - - how quickly the world pollutes the innocence of the trail, I should have just
left it and brought up my dinner). Had a SOBO hiker arrive at around 8pm, having
resupplied down at the gap. Enjoyed hearing about his trip, and picked his brain for
a few suggestions on top views and shelters. Was too tired to read, and am
contemplating sending the Nook home at Jonesville when I pick up my resupply. The
evening cooled down to a perfect 45*, a good night to sleep.

September 13
th
Cowles Cove Shelter (15.3 miles)
Trying not to wake my shelter mate, I packed up at 6:45am and headed for
Abraham once again. Enjoyed some early morning sun on the summit, before
heading onward. Had a lot of fun winding in and out of Sugarbush, and Mad River
Glen, and taking a nice 1-hour break at Starks Nest to cook up some much needed
lunch around 1pm. I have finally accepted that there is almost no totally reliable way
to estimate my mileage the trail footing is just too much of an unknown. Ive done
everything from 1 mph, to 3.5 mph in these last few dayshard to plan my days, so
Im just going to wing it like I usually do and what will be, will be. Hit App Gap and
decided to see if I could hitch into town for a burger. I gave it my usual 20 min limit
for waiting, and at 18 minutes a gentlemen pulled over and gave me a ride! Stopped
at a cute little restaurant / bar and had a pulled pork sandwich, a fish & chips entre,
and about 6 glasses of root beer! After that worthy hitch, I waddled my way down to
the gas station to pick up 2 liters of Gatorade, and then immediately got a hitch from
a cute local girl who swapped hospital visit and broken bone stories with me while
she drove. With darkness settling in, I managed to squeak into the shelter just after
sunset. Barely hungry, I read for an hour before having my smallest dinner and
turning in around 10pm. This is by far the worst maintained shelter Ive seen thus
far, but that is what you get for being an old shelter.

September 14
th
Rt. 2 Jonesville (B&B in Waterbury) (16.4 miles)
With thoughts of missing my resupply fueling my hiking, I shot out of camp by 6am
and headed for Rt. 2 and the promised land of more real food. The entire day can be
summarized with this - ever been humped by a Camel? No? Well I can tell you from
experience that it is very tiring, yet disturbingly rewarding in its own way. VIEWS!
My entire reason for hiking is the experience and great views are about 90% of my
experience. Perfect day to summit, and amazing as it was, I knew I needed to keep
moving so that I made the P.O by 4:30pm. I hit the road crossing at 4pm, after an
annoying road walk (come on bridge project!) and got my package. I guy stopped
and gave me a hitch into Waterbury for an evening at a B&B (of course it had to be a
stupid antique car show weekend and raise the room rates). Enjoyed getting all my
stuff aired out, washed in the sink, and reorganized. Decided that Ill be sending
home the Nook with some extra food that I sent myself that I just wont be eating.

September 15
th
Buchanan Lodge (7.3 miles)
With the promise of breakfast at 8am, I made my way downstairs for a nice omelet
and sausage with tea while I caught up on my map reading for the next sections of
the hike. Got a hitch back to the trail after waiting for hr (in the rain), but got my
package mailed at the P.O. even though I had to knock on the back door (had missed
closing by 20 minutes but the post master was still there and took my package). I
ended up getting a hitch from Rich and George, two nice guys that where finishing
up another section hike of the Long Trail. I ended up hiking out of Rt. 2 with them,
and enjoyed a slow walk in the rain while hearing all about the history of the GMC
and the plans for the Winooski River Bridge (Rich was a former GMC President and
board member, and is the right person to ask all about the history of the trail!). I
decided to cut the day short and stayed with the guys at Buchanan for the night. I
learned how to make trail popcorn, and enjoyed a cool 36* evening inside a nice 4
sided lodge.

September 16
th
Butler Lodge (w/ Caretaker Tom) (10.9 miles)
Took a slow start to get out in the morning, cooler temps and fog coupled with the
guys making oatmeal had us back to the trail at around 9am. Ethereal fog blowing
through the trees made for some great views while hiking, and hiking slowly and
learning all about the trail from the guys, and hearing about their 20+ years of
volunteer work made the time fly by. With the terrain aggravating Richs knees, we
decided to part ways after I ran down and got us all water at Taylor Lodge. We
exchanged numbers and they offered to give me a ride from North Troy back to my
car at Killington when I finished (if I can finish Friday they will be up that way doing
a section hike and can come get me) talk about some amazing trail angels! They
decided to hit up Twin Brooks Tenting area, and I pushed onward to Butler Lodge
for the evening. I arrived just before sunset to find only Tom the caretaker to be
there. It had been a busy Saturday for Tom, but thankfully it was now empty. I
enjoyed some dinner while talking to Tom and happily paid my $5 for a bunk
(interestingly enough, this is the first time Ive ever paid for a shelter or tent spot
while camping I usually do work-for-stay or just avoid the pay sites). A glorious
sunset over Lake Champlain in the distance, topped off yet another great day on the
trail.

September 17
th
Vt. 15 / Nye Family B&B (20 miles)
Trying not to wake Tom, I packed and left by 7am, eager to see Mansfield. While
not quite Camel-humping, it was a worthy climb, and I enjoyed having the entire
forehead all to myself seeing only the Porta-Potty cleaning guy near the closed
visitors center. The Chin proved to be a bit more popular, with about 40 school kids
running amok around the top. I did stop and have a nice chat with the caretaker for
Taft, and was able to soak in some great views while I took my break. Ive learned
that GU energy gel tastes just like glue when you try and eat it while its really cold.
Enjoyed Smugglers Notch, and treated some water at Sterling Pond while talking to
some day hikers. Had my second Sawyer Squeeze bag blow out on me I super
glued them for now, but will need to buy an Evernew bladder when I get home
(much stronger and wont blow out, and also has the right size threads unlike
Platypus or other bags). Heard rumor about a big storm front moving in, so I
continued onward, and made a phone call to Nye B&B around 6:45pm asking for a
room. They agreed to pick me up at VT. 15 around 7:30pm and let me stay the night
in their last bed a very nice separate cabin with a queen bed, and told me that they
would give me two nights for one if I wanted to avoid the storm tomorrow. Tired but
happy, I laid out my bag to air in the room and immediately got picked up to go into
town for dinner and to get more snacks. Had a poor food/atmosphere experience at
the local bar/restaurant and remembered that not everyone likes grungy looking
hiker-trash. Ended up watching TV till 11pm and taking a couple Aleve to prevent
any swelling after my long day.

September 18
th
Vt. 15 / Nye Family B&B (6.6 miles)
Up by 8:30am for a great breakfast of bacon, eggs, and blueberry pancakes. With
the weather turning south quickly I felt that I needed to do something for the day,
and had them drop me off and then pick me up 3 hrs later at Codding Hollow Rd. It
only took me just under 2 hrs to hike it definitely the easiest trail Ive seen thus far,
which left me one hour to huddle under a tree and try to avoid the wind and rain. I
ended up passing a SOBO hiker and recommended that he also try a night at the
B&B. Ended up passing the hiker Id seen on the trail, while driving back to the B&B
and we picked him up and brought him back too. Once I was back in my room, I took
a nice hot shower and a 2-hour nap before watching a little TV. Around 5:30 my new
SOBO friend and I went into town for dinner, and loaded with even more snacks for
the coming days, we got picked up at 9pm. With clean clothes and a full belly, I
crashed into bed around 10pm letting the wind and rain lull me to sleep.

September 19
th
Tillotson Camp (19.8 miles)
An even later breakfast at 9am made this truly seem like Id had a whole day off,
and I once again inhaled some amazing food. I made it back to the trail around 11am
and put the pedal to the metal. Enjoyed the cute little mini-Mahoosuc Notch of
Devils Gulch, and slipped and slid my way to Belvidere Mtn. just in time for the
evenings sun throwing its rays around the valley below. With the wind picking up
and the temps dropping, I threw on my rain jacket and tried to find a spot to ninja
camp - - to no avail. I thought for sure that Id actually sleep in my tent at least one
night during this trip, but with no spot to camp that wouldnt injure the landscape I
started for Tillotson Camp with my headlamp ready. WOW at 7:30pm with just
hints of sun coming from behind the trees I almost wet myself when a startled
moose crashed around in the trees about 20 feet from me. Talking softly, I was able
to get pictures and video of the moose before I slowly eased around it and continued
on by headlamp. I arrived at 8:15pm to 3 people in the shelter already. Thankfully
they were awake so I quickly laid out my gear, ate cold dinner of cheese, crackers
and pepperoni, and hit the hay totally exhausted but elated from my moose
encounter!

September 20
th
Laura Woodward Shelter (14.6 miles)
I decided this morning that Id rather do a longer day today, and give myself more
time to get into N. Troy (thinking about the road walk), and still be able to spend
some time at the border. With a wave to my fellow shelter mates I left around 9am
after a beautiful sunrise and nice early fall color showing on the trees. After quickly
hitting Haystack, I did a number of small mountains before finally hitting Jay Peak
around 4pm. Enjoyed watching the gondola go down with some workers (heard a
lot of construction noise so I assume it was workers) and had the peak to myself for
an hour. Enjoyed the walk around Jay, and promptly took the first wrong turn
coming down the mountain but thankfully only went a few minutes till I realized it
and turned around. Arrived at the Woodward Shelter to find another NOBO (Tim)
there on his last day of a 28-day end-to-end hike. Tim had a nice fire going, and it
helped keep off the chill of the windy 40* evening. Around 6pm we were joined by a
new SOBO named Sonic (from Germany) who had just finished his A.T NOBO thru-
hike and still had 2 weeks left until he had to go back so he said it was either come
and walk some more or sit around in a hotel room this seemed like more fun. A
great evening of hanging out with the guys, and enjoyed some fun trail stories that
wed all had over the years and during this trip.

September 21
st
Journeys End / North Troy (6.7 miles)
A bittersweet day I finished off what food I could, and said goodbye to the guys
(Tims pace was going to be a bit slower to get to N. Troy for his wife to pick him up).
Enjoyed seeing the Shooting Star Shelter cool spot to build a shelter, and just
slowly meandered my way to the border. Arrived at the line post at around 1pm and
talked with 2 section hikers and a SOBO hiker just starting out. Got the obligatory
photos taken with the line post marker, and then enjoyed a quick (if not boring)
walk into North Troy. Got picked up right outside of town by a nice couple that
dropped me at the town store. A sandwich, Pringles, cookies, potato salad, and more
soda fueled me up for my hour-long nap on the sidewalk in the sun. George arrived
at 2:45pm to pick me up (what timing, what skill) and got me back to my car by
5pm, including a quick stop by the Long Trail Brewery for some memorabilia.
After a nice celebratory dinner and pint at the Long Trail Inn, I watched some rock
climbers out on a face above the Inn, and then bundled up for the 3.5 hr ride back to
CT. Found it to be as difficult hiking as the White Mountains, and the treadway to be
some of the most challenging Ive done. I enjoyed it tremendously and have marked
my favorite spots to return to for other trips. Big thanks to all the GMC volunteers
and their hard work for maintaining and creating such a great trail!