Date: 2015-08-04
From: Killington, VT

To: Willaimstown / North Adams MA
Miles today: 112.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 56 7/28 10.2 miles M494.6Got back on the trail around noon today. Decided to hike up to Back Country Outfitters to see if I could find insoles that would help. After trying several options, settled on a replacement for my Merrells. I am hiking now in Mammut. Much softer, closer to trail runners. Feet still hurt at the end of today, but at least I could keep moving. I need to work on changing the way or where I walk. Just after Killington, VT, the Appalachian Trail joins the Long Trail for 105 miles southward to the VT-MA border. The Long Trail predates the AT by about 20 years, it runs from the VT-MA border up to the VT border with Quebec.Day 57 7/29 13.8 miles M508.4Passed the 500 mile mark today. Stopped for a very nice, big lunch at Qu's Whistle Stop Caf©, charged my phone, had a great nap, The owner of the restaurant was very kind to offer me and two other hikers (OSHA and XX) a .5 mile ride back to the trail head. After a 600' climb, I found a chair on a ledge and a good phone signal, so I called and had another nice talk with Lynette. My feet improved a bit today, by end of the day, I felt bruised still, but not worse and a bit less swelling than I'd seen before. Feeling a bit more optimistic about my feet. Spent the night at Minerva Hinchey Shelter. Day 58 7/30 19.6 miles M528.4I started early (about 6), and saw a porcupine on Bear Mtn. I think this must be the first porcupine I've seen. Funny looking thing. It was on the trail when we both spotted each other. It wasn't interested in hanging around, so it walked down the trail away from me. I kept my distance but began to follow, then the porcupine began a clumsy cantering. I caught up with it again as it exited the trail. By this time, I had turned on my phone and was able to get a pic or two of it just as it moved into a group of fallen trees beyond sight. I then passed "White Rocks", an interesting collection of stacked rocks (by people). I later passed a real beaver pond, I could see where the beaver had chewed into the trees and branches of the dam. A mossy creek from the outflow was a beautiful sight to behold. I passed a couple of very nice lakes today too. My feet felt even better today. I walked 14 miles, then cooked lunch followed by a 2-hr nap during which time rain fell (and I stayed dry - yea!) I awakened and was back on the trail by 4 to hike the additional 6 miles for the day. I crossed Baker Peak and saw amazing play of light, shadows, and clouds, wind and mountains. The parting clouds and sunbeams, Wow! Last night was hot, but with the rain came a cool front and tonight feels much cooler already. Spent the night at Peru Peak Shelter. Day 59 7/31 20.8 miles M548.8Early start and after a decent from Peru Peak, I met a trail angel leaving water. This stretch of about 8 miles without water, where the NFS pump had been dismantled rather than repaired. I met this person at a road crossing he said was the highest road crossing of the AT in Vermont (at Mad Tom Notch). I took another off-trail lunch at Cilantro Burrito, nap, charged my phone and felt good starting up the afternoon. My feet continue to feel better. By the end of the day, they just feel the normal tired and sore, but without the bruising and swelling I was getting with the Merrells. Still more foot healing needed, but progress is noted. I stayed at Stratton Pond Shelter ($5), one of the nicest yet. Stratton Pond at sunset is beautiful!Day 60 8/1 19.6 miles M568.1When I summited Stratton Mtn this morning, I climbed the fire tower for the 360 degree view. The wind was amazing and cool. The caretaker's thermometer read 55 degrees. Stratton Mtn is where Benton MacKaye first had the idea of a trail that would connect the southern Appalachians with the northern Appalachians (the AT). Both of my Sawyer water bags broke today. My last treat for the day was the hike up Glastenbury Mountain after a long hike. Another fire tower. Two in one day is rare. Again, lots of wind, 360 degree views. Bravo! It's quite cool again tonight, my jacket feels good. Feet continue to slowly improve. Glad I brought ear plugs with the snoring in Goddard Shelter.Day 61 8/2 21.6 miles M589.7Big climb today out of Bennington VT, about 900 feet in less than a mile, almost all stairs. I took a nap, as normal of late after lunch, and when I started again, I noticed I had torn something in my left high ankle, just like I had done on the right side across Bigalow Mtn in ME. Slowed my progress considerably... stop me in my tracks kind of pain. Saw lots of (North Bounders) NOBOs again today and a couple of nice ponds. I'm hiking in a green tunnel, so the best views today were when I crossed power lines. Mountain flowers were particularly beautiful today. I met a NOBO "Freebyrd" today. His hike story is very similar to mine. Tenting tonight, I realize I hadn't fully dried my tent after I used it last during an overnight rain. I've hiked 119 miles in the past 7-day week. I believe this is the first week I've logged over 100 miles. The new shoes, easier trail, and my improved conditioning are all lining up nicely.Day 62 8/3 6.9 M589.7Crossed into the state of MA today at about 10:00 am, just short of exactly 2 months after I left the summit of Mt. Katahdin in ME (1:00 pm on June 3). Hiking into Williamstown today, I took a left turn on a road too early. I should have taken the second road crossing, so I hiked an extra couple of miles today unnecessarily. Lesson learned: follow the directions more carefully. Also, on the ankle sprain, didn't help my spirits. I checked into the Williamstown Motel and collected my resupply package from Lynette. Great lunch at Desperado's (especially the Margarita's... first one in a long, long time).Day 63 8/4 0 miles M589.7Spent the morning planning MA, CT, and NY. Visited the PO to ship resupply into those states. Tried to get a haircut but couldn't. Nice to have a shower, shave, and get a couple of good meals.