Date: 2004-08-12
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mt Greylock (Bascom Lodge)
Miles today: 17.0

I had planned an early start but slept late, stopped at the coffee shop for breakfast, and didn't get out of town until 7:30am. The first thunder and rain shower came before the Crystal Mt campsite. Then another in a pattern that would last all day. A couple of miles before Cheshire I met three dayhikers from Great Barrington who were hiking from Cheshire to Dalton. They loaded me up with candy. Thanks, ladies (and guy)!I was down to Cheshire at noon to pick up my warmer sleeping bag at the post office. I sent it home at Kent, where it remained for about two days before I asked for it back. I mailed back my 55 degree bag and water filter. The water supplies are more plentiful now and I prefer the lighter weight of Aqua Mira.I walked over to the ice cream stand for a couple of hot dogs for lunch. The lady said that there is an emergency call out for K-Less, who is about a day behind. I'm sure he'll be located soon since hikers keep pretty good track of who is around them.I then walked out of town, stopping by a convenience store to call Bascom Lodge on Mt Greylock for a bunk reservation. The gentleman on the phone assured me that I had plenty of time to make it to the 6:00pm dinner, so I signed up for that as well. Seven miles to go, all uphill.I pushed on though more rain. I did figure out a way to use my umbrella while using both my hiking poles. Tie my bandana around my head, slip the umbrella handle through behind my ear, and stick the handle down the neck of my shirt in front. Loop my pack bottle holder around the handle. Viola, a no-hands umbrella! Not sure how it looks, but it works pretty well. I'll be working on a more elegant solution now that I have the basic concept down. Maybe a little umbrella handle holster on my sternum strap? Should be possible with some duct tape.The trail was once agan covered with roots, and as I got near the top I ran into huge mudholes that were hard to get around. Wet slogging today. I stopped at the Mark Noepal lean-to to eat the sub sandwich that I carried up from Dalton. According to the register, Michael had to slow down because of leg problems, and Nitro is about to catch him! Go, Boobeary!I met about 5 southbounders. These guys are about 6 weeks out from Katahdin, have conquered the White Mts, have their trail legs, and are pounding out 20+ miles per day. Reminds me of when I was coming up to Damascus and felt like I could walk as long as I could eat. Before the miles started to exert their wear and tear. Before the enormity of the trail length settled in. Back when I was only 25% done but felt like I was half way there. It's good to see such a cocky group.The woods and the weather near the mountain top remind me of the Smokies around Clingman's Dome. The same thick spruce trees, treadway cushioned by needles, fog, wet and mudholes. The altitude there is higher, but the latitude here is also.I got to Mt Greylock (highest point in MA at 3500ft) at 5:30pm and the clouds had lifted enough that I could barely see the White Mts in the far distance. So they must be really big. Showered and made it to dinner at 6:00pm - salad, soup, pork chops and vegetables, rolls, chocolate cake, coffee - delicious. Afterward I sat by the big fireplace for a while, then up to bed. Only one other person in the bunkroom with me. Tomorrow the forecast is for heavy rain as the remnant of tropical storm Bonnie comes through, so I'll have to decide whether I want to hike in a downpour tomorrow. And what's left of hurricane Charley will be through on Sunday. Hope this front that they're riding pushes a little farther east. Only 10 miles to VT!