Day 121: 7/30/12

Miles today: 15.0
Total miles: 1,635.4
Miles remaining: 548.8

Hiking today was work. But it didn't rain and I had some good views from Stratton Mountain.
Had another fun night at the shelter hanging out with the southbounders, who greatly outnumber us northbounders at this point.
Put in a solid fifteen miles today. I'll have a shorter day tomorrow; heading into Manchester Center, VT for resupply.

Staying at Stratton Pond shelter.

Day 120: 7/29/12

Miles today: 12.8
Total miles: 1,620.4
Miles remaining: 563.8

More rain today. My wet socks killed my toes. I'd like to have gone farther today but my toes were beat. Hopefully they'll be better tomorrow.
The forest was very pretty today and I was able to get some views of the surrounding mountains. It's becoming apparent that the weather is changing up here too. I'm wearing my jacket for the first time in months. The elevation is going to be a factor before too long. Reminds me a little of the southern mountains. That was only 3-4 months ago but out here it seems like ancient history.
Meeting more and more southbounders as I go. Cool guys. They've been giving advice on what's ahead. Can't wait.

Staying at Kid Gore shelter.

Day 119: 7/28/12

Miles today: 18.4
Total miles: 1,607.6

Got up and had breakfast with everyone then hit the trail. It was a good morning but the rest of the day was another dangerously slippery walk in the rain. I suspect the rest of the hike will be this way when it rains, and I have a feeling it's going to rain a lot.
I'm in Vermont now, the Green Mountains. 11 states down, 3 to go. Got to the shelter as it was getting dark. Met a southbound couple who didn't impress me. The guy wouldn't shake hands 'cause it wasn't clean or something but he was sitting Indian style on the picnic table with his dirty stanky feet on the table top. Charming. Oh well, not everybody is as cool as me, HAW HAW HAW.
Anyway, not the most fun day but I put in some good miles and made it to Vermont. That's a huge win. Only 576 miles to go!

Staying at Melville Nauheim shelter.

Day 118: 7/27/12

Miles today: 11.2
Total miles: 1,589.2

Kind of a rough day but it ended well. Broke camp in the rain and headed out by 8am. Everything was cold and wet, lots of thick fog. Rained most of the day. It made the forest very pretty but the trail was dangerously slippery. Difficult to find good footing. Rocks, roots, dirt, all slippery. I fell down a few times despite being very careful. No view from Mt. Greylock this morning, just a wall of fog. A disappointment but that happens out here. You can't win them all. I ran into Late For Dinner on the trail, he was doing a southbound slackpack from Adams to Dalton. I hadn't seen him since Harper's Ferry, and Damascus before that.
I got off the trail to stop in North Adams for laundry and resupply. Had dinner at a Chinese buffet, ran into Nokey, Sprinkles, and Testament. Hadn't seen them since Pawling, NY. Skrambo, Float, and Rose were there too, we had a good time.
Hiked up to a campsite a few miles up the trail and stopped for the day. Didn't make as many miles as I'd have liked, but we're only a few miles from the Vermont border so that's encouraging.

Camping at.....some campsite just north of North Adams, I can't remember the name.

Day 117: 7/26/12

Miles today: 9.2
Total miles: 1,578.0

Slept in this morning so I didn't put in many miles. Went into Cheshire with Skrambo, Float, and Rose. Had calzones and beer, then hiked up to the next shelter. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to summit Mt. Greylock. It's raining now and is supposed to tomorrow as well, but hopefully we'll still have a view from the top. Tomorrow should be my last day in Massachusetts unless I have another short day.

Camping near Mark Noepel shelter.

Day 116: 7/25/12

Miles today: 16.5
Total miles: 1,568.8

It was surprisingly cold and dry this morning, a refreshing change to the humidity. Beautiful weather for hiking. Hiked over Warner Hill and had a clear view of Mount Greylock, Massachusetts' highest peak. I'll summit that mountain tomorrow afternoon.
Made it into Dalton, MA this afternoon and stopped briefly for resupply. Didn't make it to the laundromat before it closed, a disappointment. But I did have a chance to stop at a pub for a giant reuben sandwich and two pints of IPA, a definite consolation prize. Afterwards I had just enough time to hike a quick four miles up the hill to a campsite (that has water - booyah) and set up my tent just before dark. There I saw Skinny Rambo and Float, who I'd seen a lot of in New York and Connecticut. They had a fire going, which made for a nice end to the day.
A productive day overall, dirty socks notwithstanding.

Camping at Crystal Mountain campsite.

Day 115: 7/24/12

Miles today: 18.7
Total miles: 1,552.3

Nothing particularly noteworthy today. Put in some good miles. Went for a swim in Goose Pond, which was more of a lake than a pond. That was actually very nice. Washed my clothes and my bad self while I was at it.
The trail was kinda boring today. Just a walk in the woods, no views or anything. Rained on and off.

Just another day at the office!

Camping near October Mountain shelter.