Date: 2008-07-11
From: Stealth site 1 mile before VT 140, VT

To: Swansong "secret" Shelter, VT
Miles today: 13.6

Slept great last nite to that constant rush of water. I woke to a chilly 54 degrees @ 6:30. Usually, before I get up, I pull out my guidebook\topos and decide on the day's destination. Well, yesterday I'd decided to hike today to the Governor Clement Shelter @ the base o Little Killington Mtn., but it wasn't till this morning that I read what my guidebook had to say.Apparently it is STRONGLY suggested not to stay @ this shelter because it is close to a road and hikers have been harassed by rowdy locals.Great...this meant in order for me to make the town of Killington by Saturday, I'd have to climb Killington at the very end of my day, because there were no other listed water or campsites. I wasn't thrilled about this, it would make about a 17 mile day, but I just told myself if I had to I had to.I was off @ 7:23 a.m. It was quite brisk and I almost considered putting my long sleeved shirt on for a bit, but didn't.2 miles into my morning was a long climb up Button Hill. It was quite steep in places and seemed to go on forever. That warmed me up in no time. Then I passed minerva Hinchey Shelter where I stopped for a break. That was my original destination yesterday, ad it would not have been a bad one.I was trying to keep that cloud from forming over my attitude. It's a fact, I hate high mileage days...period. High to me is anything over 15, but I like 13-14 the best (or lower). I just feel rushed and as if I need to conserve energy for the long haul. It stresses me out honestly.I eventually made my way towards a steep descent towards VT 103. Just before going down, there was a nice view and a little memorial rock in memory of Jeff Woods. I started down and down, and man are these downs killing my knees.Just before the bottom you come to this crazy almost plateau of a pine forest that is cleared, and the Mill River Suspension Bridge. There were people camping along the river, and I peeked down to see a guy roasting 2 hot dogs over a fire. I almost yelled down and offered him $ for them, but didn't. Still craving hotdogs.So this bridge, let me say it was a bit unnerving crossing it because it would swing side to side a lot as you walked, and you're about 100 ft (maybe?) above the rushing shallow river below. It actually made me nervous crossing it, because it felt rickety.Then it was the climb from hell up from VT 103. It was very steep and you climb in a narrow bouldery corridor between 2 folds of the mountain, and the plants are thick too. About 1 mile later, it flattened for a bit and you come to Clarendon Shelter, where I had decided to stop for lunch @ 12:21 p.m.There's a nice stream here, so I filled up my canteens and walked to the shelter. VERY nice shelter grounds, lots of space for hanging or tenting, a little flower box of flowers, and the stream nearby.I knew I still had over 10 miles and some major climbing, so I decided to cook my dinner and load up on carbs. So Rice-a-Roni has come out with these pasta things that are great, mainly because the portions are big. I had garlic something, but added my 2 things of cheese and gosh was it an awesome cheesy meal! mmmmmmWhile I was there, a Long Trail hiker named Ty showed up, as did a volunteer, Herb both are from VT.Herb was out on his last day of vacation, repainting white blazes. This guy was great, he's a lawyer..I asked what kind and he said, "Malpractice." I thought it was medical, but he actually sues OTHER lawyers who screwed their clients over! Wow...I bet Herb doesn't make friends easily in the law community!I told him I wasn't looking forward to climbing Killington @ the ed of my day, but that the other shelter wasn't safe. Herb then told me something that changed my entire day.Apparently, some local people (hikers) know the shelter is unsafe, so they've built a shelter and privy on their own land for us to use, but it's a secret shelter, not listed in any of the books or trail signs! It is in the general area of the other shelter, so I was SO thankful for this info. I was going to stay there instead of making my day ridiculously long. Herb even drew me a map of how to get there.Man did this change my feeling about today completely. I was relaxed again, and enjoying hiking again..I didn't feel pressed.Another guy, Bad Idea (VA) showed up, and Herb and Ty left. THANKS HERB! Bad Idea is a very cool 22 yr old guy. His attitude is, "Yes, I can go further, make it a 25 mile day...but why?" He isn't in a race, and it's cool to hear a guy out here admit that it's boring to hike high miles everyday. And then he made me jealous...he saw a freakin moose and her baby this morning! It was an area I'd hiked past this morning, but he said when they saw him, they took off running down the trail, and it sounded like a horse galloping. He got a cool pic of the mama ad baby hoove prints side by side. So cool.We had a good talk, and he left before me. Finally @ 1:30 p.m., I took off for yet more steep climbing to the top of Beacon Hill, where there was a beacon and a big warning sign saying the FBI would be notified if you messed with anything.I walked over to the fence and the FBI is slick, they've placed woman-eating plants around. When I walked over, a plant reched out and scratched the crap out of my arm with its thorns. Guess you can't pull one over on the FBI huh?I was glad to have that climb over, and on the way down I met 3 hikers going from VT to NY where they're from. The woman, Black Fly, is a hanger too, so I took her pic. They said they stayed @ the secret shelter last nite and that it was nice. That really excited me even more. She also talked about some trail magic ahead, so now I'm totally stoked!I kept moving and was expecting to have to ford Gould Brook, but I didn't (the guidebook says you ford it). And then something VERY exciting happened...I OFFICIALLY HAD 500 MILES TO KATAHDIN when I hit Upper Cold River Rd.!! I drew a huge 500 in the gravel road with my foot. Wow folks...I can't believe it..all the miles I have left (and less now) fits on 1 hand! I celebrated with an oatmeal creme pie.I headed back into the woods to then come upon a cooler full of sodas and ice, a container with cheese crackers and a plastic chair! I sat down and enjoyed a Coke and some crackers. This magic is compliments of the Mad Hatter, who thru'd in 2004. THANKS MAD HATTER!I knew I was close, because Black Fly told me to be on the lookout for a notice with directions to the secret shelter, and soon...I saw it. I was excited to say the least.I followed the directions and ended up @ Swansong Shelter. The man that built it is either an architect or something, from what I heard. It's a fantastic shelter with benches around a fire ring. Bad Idea and a man from S. Korea (sobo) is here. At that moment, a car pulls up and it is a woman, Marty Swansong, 1 of the owners of the land and hiker. She brought more soda and fresh watermelon!!I don't really like watermelon that much, but man this stuff was good. I snapped her pic and thanked her.I set up camp behind the shelter, down a path, and more (loud) hikers showed up...Rethink (TN) and a man from NC..name slips my mind.I almost feel sorry for the Korean guy, the rest of us are nobo and were all talking about having LESS than 500 miles to go. That sobo has "Only Just Begun," (as the Carpenters would sing).It's already quite cool, 66, but it feels colder. After I got settled, my stomach started cramping and I ha to amke a run for the (awesome) privy. The privy is round with a skylight and 2 photographic books about Outhouses. Pretty hilarious.I'm hoping this was caused by eating almost all sugary sweet stuff today. I am feeling better, but man am I glad that didn't hit me while climbing up Killington.It's 7:58 p.m., and I'm beat. Tomorrow I get to the town of Killington where I'll call my buddy Bad Influence, and he'll hopefully be picking me up. I'm excited about seeing him again, I loved his energy the day I met him in NY.I'll tackle Killington with fresh legs, which is what I wanted. No cell service tonight...bummer, but I'll be in town tomorrow.Amazing how a day can change momentum so quickly. I thought it would be miserable, but it endd up being a fantastic day.Oh, Herb had told me the city had put gates up to prevent partyers from riding their off road vehicles to the Gov. Clement Shelter. Well, Marty told me they've taken the gate down (the locals that is). Crazy.... gad I'm here.~Certain