Miles today: 11.1
Total miles: 1,732.2
Miles remaining: 452.0
Got up late today on purpose. We were tired from a late day yesterday. Before we broke camp this morning Man Boy hitched a mile to a deli and showed up back at camp with breakfast sandwiches. Great start to the day. I hiked with Voice and Man Boy again today. They're a couple of 18-year-olds from Pennsylvania, just out of high school. Funny guys.
We could have done more miles today but we deferred those miles to tomorrow since we're just going into town anyway. Once in town I'll resupply and replace some gear. It's funny, all this equipment and I'm outlasting all of it. Shoes, clothes, backpacks, I'm wearing it all out until it's literally falling off of me. But me, I am still here.
On conditioning and the hiker's body: it's a real joy to be able to experience firsthand what the body can do. I won't be able to sustain this once I'm finished, of course, but for now I can handle any climb set before me. I can gain thousands of feet in elevation without stopping, being out of breath, or having my heart rate race out of control. I'm as lean as I've ever been, and my weight has decreased as if it were any other piece of gear I own. My legs are carved out of solid marble. And it's all been one big preparation for the final stretch of the AT. Soon I'll be in the White Mountains and then in Maine, and I'll be put to the test. It will be very difficult yet very rewarding. I can't wait.
Camping near VT highway 14.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Day 127: 8/5/12
Miles today: 15.2
Total miles: 1,721.1
Miles remaining: 463.1
More of the same hiking I've had for the last few days today. Big climbs, good terrain. Even with big elevation changes it's nice walking on soft dirt instead of rocks and roots.
Stopped at a shelter after ten miles when it started to rain. Had a late lunch then got back on the trail once the rain stopped. Hiked with Man Boy and Voice of Reason for the rest of the day. That's very rare when I hike with others but we had a similar pace so it was nice to have company. At the end of the day we had a nasty climb then set up camp just before dark. Didn't have time or flat enough ground to cook dinner but it's all good. Tortillas and peanut butter to the rescue. As soon as our tents were up it started to rain. If it's still raining when I wake up tomorrow I'm stayin' in bed.
Camping just off the AT in a field near Woodstock Stage Rd.
Total miles: 1,721.1
Miles remaining: 463.1
More of the same hiking I've had for the last few days today. Big climbs, good terrain. Even with big elevation changes it's nice walking on soft dirt instead of rocks and roots.
Stopped at a shelter after ten miles when it started to rain. Had a late lunch then got back on the trail once the rain stopped. Hiked with Man Boy and Voice of Reason for the rest of the day. That's very rare when I hike with others but we had a similar pace so it was nice to have company. At the end of the day we had a nasty climb then set up camp just before dark. Didn't have time or flat enough ground to cook dinner but it's all good. Tortillas and peanut butter to the rescue. As soon as our tents were up it started to rain. If it's still raining when I wake up tomorrow I'm stayin' in bed.
Camping just off the AT in a field near Woodstock Stage Rd.
Day 126: 8/4/12
Miles today: 16.1
Total miles: 1,705.9
Miles remaining: 478.3
A hard day but solid miles. Several up-and-down climbs over the mountains. Rained for awhile this afternoon. I Stopped at Gifford Woods state park to shower and wash my clothes. I noticed a tear down the seat of my pants. I have no idea how long it's been there. Sewed it up as best I could, but I'll need to buy a new pair once I get to Hanover, NH in a few days. I can't sew for jack squat.
Had a monstrous climb at the end of the day which took forever. I barely made it to camp before dark. I was tired and grouchy by the time I got there but when I did I was greeted by a huge crew of fellow northbounders: Grundlehammer, All Balls, Cheddah, B1, Zorro, Voice Of Reason, Man Boy, Yoko, Chunder, Solo, et. al. They were grilling hot dogs and had plenty left over so I ate three. Nice not to have to make dinner tonight. A good end to a hard day.
Crossed the 1700-mile mark today. If walking is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
Camping near Stony Brook shelter.
Total miles: 1,705.9
Miles remaining: 478.3
A hard day but solid miles. Several up-and-down climbs over the mountains. Rained for awhile this afternoon. I Stopped at Gifford Woods state park to shower and wash my clothes. I noticed a tear down the seat of my pants. I have no idea how long it's been there. Sewed it up as best I could, but I'll need to buy a new pair once I get to Hanover, NH in a few days. I can't sew for jack squat.
Had a monstrous climb at the end of the day which took forever. I barely made it to camp before dark. I was tired and grouchy by the time I got there but when I did I was greeted by a huge crew of fellow northbounders: Grundlehammer, All Balls, Cheddah, B1, Zorro, Voice Of Reason, Man Boy, Yoko, Chunder, Solo, et. al. They were grilling hot dogs and had plenty left over so I ate three. Nice not to have to make dinner tonight. A good end to a hard day.
Crossed the 1700-mile mark today. If walking is cool, consider me Miles Davis.
Camping near Stony Brook shelter.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Day 125: 8/3/12
Miles today: 14.0
Total miles: 1,689.8
Miles remaining: 494.4
Lots of climbing today. A hard day. Ended with a 2000-ft climb up Mt. Killington, Vermont's highest peak on the AT at 4,235 ft. Great view from the top at sunset. Good training for the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Staying at Cooper Lodge shelter.
Total miles: 1,689.8
Miles remaining: 494.4
Lots of climbing today. A hard day. Ended with a 2000-ft climb up Mt. Killington, Vermont's highest peak on the AT at 4,235 ft. Great view from the top at sunset. Good training for the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Staying at Cooper Lodge shelter.
Day 124: 8/2/12
"Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads."
- Doc Brown
Miles today: 14.9
Total miles: 1,675.8
Miles remaining: 508.4
Just some nice hiking today. No super duper views or anything, just a pleasant hike through the woods.
Had a few food cravings today, namely a California burrito (southern California readers will know this one) and my friend Tyler's bean dip. Today I ate poorly. Didn't feel like making a production out of lunch so I snacked on Little Debbies all day. Or "Little Diabetes" as I call them.
Staying at Minerva Hinchey shelter.
- Doc Brown
Miles today: 14.9
Total miles: 1,675.8
Miles remaining: 508.4
Just some nice hiking today. No super duper views or anything, just a pleasant hike through the woods.
Had a few food cravings today, namely a California burrito (southern California readers will know this one) and my friend Tyler's bean dip. Today I ate poorly. Didn't feel like making a production out of lunch so I snacked on Little Debbies all day. Or "Little Diabetes" as I call them.
Staying at Minerva Hinchey shelter.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Day 123: 8/1/12
Miles today: 14.8
Total miles: 1,660.9
Miles remaining: 523.3
More Vermont beauty today. I'm really enjoying the Green Mountains. Nice hiking, lots of pine forest, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Had a few views spoiled by fog early on this morning but had a spectacular one from Baker Peak to end the day. As I reached the summit the sight literally took my breath away. I've never seen the Appalachians look so magnificent. I've always loved the eastern mountains, even in comparison with the Rockies, but today they outdid themselves. I've never been to this part of the country so this is all new to me. The trail continues to deliver, and I understand it only gets better from here.
Staying at Lost Pond shelter.
Total miles: 1,660.9
Miles remaining: 523.3
More Vermont beauty today. I'm really enjoying the Green Mountains. Nice hiking, lots of pine forest, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Had a few views spoiled by fog early on this morning but had a spectacular one from Baker Peak to end the day. As I reached the summit the sight literally took my breath away. I've never seen the Appalachians look so magnificent. I've always loved the eastern mountains, even in comparison with the Rockies, but today they outdid themselves. I've never been to this part of the country so this is all new to me. The trail continues to deliver, and I understand it only gets better from here.
Staying at Lost Pond shelter.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Day 122: 7/31/12
Miles today: 10.7
Total miles: 1,646.1
Miles remaining: 538.1
Fun day today. Hiked a quick ten miles, then headed into Manchester Center for a town day. Huge resupply. Ate at Friendly's with Grundlehammer, All Balls, and Cheddah. Then went to see Batman. Couldn't resist a little taste of civilization.
Stayed at Green Mountain House Hostel, a fantastic place run by this dude Jeff who was so cool, a very genuine guy. People like him give me an example to live by.
Showered, resupplied, and with clean clothes I'm ready to hit the trail again.
Staying at Green Mountain House Hostel.
Total miles: 1,646.1
Miles remaining: 538.1
Fun day today. Hiked a quick ten miles, then headed into Manchester Center for a town day. Huge resupply. Ate at Friendly's with Grundlehammer, All Balls, and Cheddah. Then went to see Batman. Couldn't resist a little taste of civilization.
Stayed at Green Mountain House Hostel, a fantastic place run by this dude Jeff who was so cool, a very genuine guy. People like him give me an example to live by.
Showered, resupplied, and with clean clothes I'm ready to hit the trail again.
Staying at Green Mountain House Hostel.
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