Date: August 11 2000
Trail Day: 72
Miles Today: 14
Location: Near Gordon Pond
Section Mile: AT 387
ECT Mile: 1070
Because of the late night yesterday, I could not get up early. Bill, the
owner of the place gave us a ride at 8 AM to the trail. The first 3 miles
were OK then I started to feel extremely sluggish and lazy. I took a nap
in a pine stand. Met Grits at this time. He is an older gentleman and
started mid April - making good time. Also took a short break at the
Lonesome Lake Hill. I seem to have these very down days every 7-10 days.
Beyond the 3 miles it was all sheer will power. For some strange reason, I met
the most encouraging and friendliest people today. There was a couple with
a son and dog. They were so encouraging that I felt a morale boost. I also
met Lab rat and another gentleman who urged me on.
About noon, Nature Boy whom I had met in N. Woodstock and had started the
hike about 1-2 miles behind my point passed me by. He asked me if I was
doing OK. I think it shows on my face.
Also met a mother and son day or section hiking who talked to me and
were a shot in the arm. I managed my alloted 13-14 miles and was deciding
whether to head into Gordon Pond (which was another mile down the trail)
or stay at a brook. There were several places suitable for a tent. I
looked at the skies - it was threatening rain and I had heard thunder
for several hours. I was also miserable and tired so decided to set
up camp.
Filled up water and started to cook. Half way thru it started to rain, so
I set up my tarp. Then it poured so I turned off the stove, set my food
near the tarp, and crawled into my sleeping bag.
I think a description of a tarp shelter is in order here. Tarps are
extremely light weight and hence easy to carry but they are tight as
a coffin. Once you are in it you have to stay there. You even have to be
careful how you roll around or you may change the configuration
enough to let water into your sleeping bag. I lay down without eating
hoping the rain would let up so I could eat - no luck. It was a downpour.
So I squirmed around on my stomach and ate my food - Ramen noodles with
Sardines.
Date: August 12 2000
Trail Day: 73
Miles Today: 12
Location: Glen Cliff
Section Mile: AT 399
ECT Mile: 1082
I was quite sure I would get drenched during the night. Morning came
and I was still reasonably dry - I think I am getting good at this
tarp stuff. I had cooked my noodles in a small depression and it was now
filled with water. I got the stove out of the water and packed. Its very
cumbersome packing up after a rain.
Today was the very opposite of yesterday. I started the hike in low spirits
(continuation of yesterday). After a time I checked the map and realized I was
1-2 miles ahead of where I had expected. This was in slightly more than
an hour.
Started the climb up Mousalake. It reminded me of the trail up Mt. Nicole
Albert. It ran along side a
cascade.
The trail was steep, but because
the cascades were so beautiful I did not realize the exertion. I reached
the ridge fairly quickly and headed to the summit.
At the summit there was a large group that said - "You must be a thru-hiker".
I said yes and they plowed me with all kinds of food. They were a very
generous and friendly group - true angels. I also got a
shot
of me at the
peak. This is a significant point for us south bounders - We have cleared
the toughest 200 miles of the AT. I was extremely happy.
The trail down was gentle. I practically ran down 4-5 miles downhill.
At a certain angle and good friction you can run down slopes. At slightly
higher angles and poor traction you can end up on your face. I flew down
to NH 25 and headed into Glencliff and the hostel there.
I saw Nomad again there. I showered and did laundry. Nomad and I got a ride
into Warren and bought pizza and beer. This is a nice hostel run by an ex-hiker
- very friendly.
Date: August 13 2000
Trail Day: 74
Miles Today: 13
Location: Old Cube Shelter
Section Mile: AT 412
ECT Mile: 1095
Packrat - one of the guys running the hostel showed a slide show of his PCT
hike. Quite different from the AT - much drier in some areas and lots of
snow in others. All of us slept somewhat late as a result. Got up also
slightly late and got to the trail by about 10 AM. Today's hike was
quite easy but towards the end there was a climb up Mt. Cube which was
quite long and steady. Near the peak the blazes all of a sudden became
different colored - some red and some blue. I continued downhill and
ended up on a dirt road. I did not know if I had taken the wrong trail.
I went to one of the houses and they told me that I had followed an old
trail.
I decided to sleep at the
Old Cube shelter
as it was getting late.
Tomorrow I will have to climb back to the summit and find the right
trail down - quite a pain to have to climb the peak again. This is an
abandoned shelter and has spiders, slugs etc all over.
Date: August 14 2000
Trail Day: 75
Miles Today: 14
Location: Trapper John Shelter
Section Mile: AT 426
ECT Mile: 1119
Last night I heard my plastic food bag rustling. I thought it was mice
getting to my food. But in the morning I found my food intact. Also started
smelling some very bad stuff - turned out to be my socks. They were smelling
much worse than usual. I think I stepped into some awful stuff.
Started hiking back up Mt. Cube. Managed it quite easily. I saw a double blaze
indicating a turn in the trail. How I missed it I don't know. I saw several
places with blue berries - ate some. It started raining about noon and
kept on. I got drenched but was in good spirits. However towards evening
I had had enough and was ready for the shelter.
There was only one other guy in the shelter. He was quite talkative.
He told me all about his gear, hike etc. He is from Boston. It continued
to rain all night.
Date: August 15 2000
Trail Day: 76
Miles Today: 16
Location: Alpha Theta Fraternity, Dartmouth College
Section Mile: AT 442
ECT Mile: 1135
It rained again in the morning. I waited till the rain let up. Saw several
salamanders today. I am also getting into the bad habit of tasting
unknown fruits along the way. I need to cut this out or I may end up
hallucinating or sick.
Easy terrain today. Very muddy though. Saw numerous north bounders. I
think the wave is just coming through. I think they will get to Katahdin
just before they close it for winter.
Also went through a place called Velvet Rocks. It has large rocks covered
with Spanish moss which gives it a velvety feel - looks nice. Got
into Dartmouth College. Its supposed to be a high brow, snobbish college.
Didn't see any evidence of it though. They all looked normal. The
fraternity Alpha Theta takes in thru hikers. So I went there. I have never
been in a frat. Went to the library, checked email, talked to Suriyan,
ate, drank and slept. A zero day tomorrow.
Date: August 16 2000
Trail Day: 77
Miles Today: 0
Location: Tabert House, Dartmouth College
Section Mile: AT 442
ECT Mile: 1135
A O day today. The Alpha Theta fraternity was closing for the season.
Found a place in Tabert House - another fraternity. Bought groceries
for 5 days. Suriyan will be visiting me on August 22 and I wont be
going into town till then. They had Indian food in the store so I
bought them. They are heavy but good. Also ate at the Indian restaurant.
The food was spicy. Tried reading a novel but got bored. All in all
a good O day - my best so far.
Date: August 17 2000
Trail Day: 78
Miles Today: 15
Location: Thistle Hill Shelter
Section Mile: AT 457
ECT Mile: 1150
The next 10 days should be fairly easy. I have to average 15 a day till
I meet Churi and then take some O days.
Had breakfast at Everything but Anchovies. Saw Cannonball there. He
is also at Tabert hall. He is having nail problems and is not sure if he
wants to complete his New York - Katahdin section.
Also there is a couple from Switzerland, another from New Zealand,
Dagan an Israeli whom I have been seeing off and on since Gorham. I took
a photo
of the Switzerland couple. They are Swiss Miss and Swiss Cheese.
Last night they had a party at Tabert house and we could not sleep till
about 2 AM. They were loud.
Today's hike was fairly easy. Started late and finished early but got the
15 miles. The north bound wave is starting to come in. I met about 20 today.
At this shelter I am the only south bounder, the rest 6 are headed north.
Hanover was a nice town. Fast Internet connection at the library, good places
to eat and a college atmosphere. Most hikers are having a hard time leaving
this town. Most of them have been here 3-4 days.
