Date: 2003-07-25
From: VT11/VT30, Manchester Center

To: Griffith Lake Tenting Area
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

As always, it's hard to leave town, especially a house. Dave and Lynne were so kind to us, that I hated to leave, although, it was time. It's always time to get back in the woods. I might not always want to go, but after a bit, I feel right back at home again. Besides, last night, before bed, I was looking at maps of the trail from here to Maine, and I got all excited. I'm ready to get back up in the mountains. Get some good views. Do something different.We had a great breakfast again: cinnamon French toast; bacon; steak; OJ. Mmmm.... they sure know how to spoil a hiker. Or two! Hotdog and I packed up our stuff, and loaded into the van. We said our goodbyes and took some pictures, then Dave drove us to the Post Office to mail some things, and on to the trail. Bittersweet, it always is, but time to get back into it. It was 10:45am.I almost gave up today, with a very short day. After 2.7miles, we reached the top of Bromley Mtn, the last little bit the trail ran up a beginner's ski slope. At the top, there was a ski patrol hut, open to hikers, a couple of ski lifts (not operating), and an observation tower. We set our packs down, had a snack, caught our breath, then I went looking around. The hut had a few tables, lots of floor space, and some benches that could be used as bunks. It also had a working phone! I called my sister, as I hadn't talked to her in a long time it seeemd.Then I climbed the tower. It was a bit hazy, and there were some clouds, but the view was just wonderful. I could see in every direction, and there were mountains everywhere I looked! I noticed another ski mountain, what I thought was south, and was informed that it was Stratton Mtn, which we'd climbed just a couple of days ago. We didn't see the ski trails at the time. Great views! I went back to where our packs were, sat on the grass and leaned against a boulder. The sun was out, most of the time, and the air was nice and cool. It felt great! It was at this point that I wanted to stay for the rest of the day. It was about noon-thirty. Too early to call it a day? Naaaahhh... We decided to have lunch up there too, and after lunch, it seemed there were more clouds, so it was cooler. That made it easier to decide, and we headed north once again, after spending 2 hours up there.Again, the trail was quite sloppy, and I walked, squished, slid, and jumped up the trail. My new shoes seemed to do okay, not super-fantastic, but will be good enough, I think. Of course, now they don't look very new. At the end of the day, despite many steps into the mud, my feet weren't wet, which is a good thing.We took a break near a forest service road, and met Matt B and New Zealander, who are both hiking the northern half of the trail this year. Matt B started at DWG, and is considering doing the southern half after getting to Katahdin. New Zealander is finishing up a hike he started 17 years ago, when he hiked from Springer to Port Clinton. He says he's doing a thruhike with 17 years of zero days in the middle. Whatever he wants to call it, I think it's great for anyone to be out here hiking!We climbed to Styles Peak, getting a few raindrops on the way up. At the vista, there was a decent view, but I had already been spoiled by a terrific view today. Matt, NZ, Hotdog, Space Monkey and I all arrived there at the same time, and we met Cap'n, a SOBO. He also lives in the area half the year, and was telling us about the terrain and amenities north on the trail. It's nice to talk to people that know the area, and know what thruhikers need to know.In about 3 miles, we got to Peru Peak Shelter, which was full. T Hip Chick was staying there, along with a family of 3 and a bunch of Boy Scouts. We sat there for a while, having a snack, resting our feet and chatting with T Hip Chick, the family, and a Scout and a Scout Leader. NZ and Matt came and left, as did Mylo and Nuke, who I met at the church hostel in Vernon, NJ and hadn't seen since. After a while, we headed north to this campsite, just 0.5mi up the trail.There are tent platforms, hopefully making for some level sleeping, and if it rains, keeping me out of the mud. Nuke and Mylo are here, and even though the area is full, I don't know who else is here. I just know that every platform has a tent on it. It costs me $6 to tent here, as it is one of the most popular and therefore most used areas. The Green Mountain Club has started charging fees at shelters and camping areas near the heavily-used areas, to help with maintenance, and to try to lessen the traffic and impact. I don't want to pay every night just to use a shelter or tentsite, but I don't mind it every now and then.I was a bit tired today, and felt a little clumsy hiking. Maybe it was the new shoes that made me feel clumsy, or maybe it was the tiredness. Either way, I hope tomorrow is better. I didn't feel physically taxed today, just ... like a clutz. There was a lot of mud, and slick rocks and roots, making footing unsure. The bog bridges, which always seem to be over DRY areas, were slicker than owl shit, and twice one foot slipped right off. It was a good thing the ground below was dry, or I might've been quite muddy and wet at the end of the day! My theory is that the bog bridges are acting as umbrellas over the dry areas, and when the rain stops, we hikers are supposed to move them to the muddy areas, and if it rains, we move them back. That way the trail is either dry land, or bog bridged over mud. We aren't doing our jobs very well though... slackers.I have decided to go to cold-only as far as food is concerned, at least until Hanover. This is a test run to see if I can do it, and if it works out, I'll get rid of my pot, fuel and stove for good, and just eat cold food on the trail. I was only cooking dinner anyway, and lately it was Ramen noodles. I'd prefer to just open my food bag and start eating. I'll make a decision in Hanover, and probably stick with it until the end.I got chased into my tent around 7, due to mosquitos, and will turn out my light fairly early tonight. I look forward to moving farther north, and into the taller mountains. Plus, it's been crowded on this Long Trail/Appalachian Trail section, and I'm hoping that when the AT heads east toward NH, the crowds thin out a bit. It was strange for a while to see almost no one, and now, to see 10-15 others in a day, and have shelters and camping areas full. Like I said, I like seeing people enjoying the wilderness, but sometimes I'd prefer a little more solitude. Oh well. I'm still having fun, and have a platform to myself. The best thing is.... I'm still going north on the AT. What's better???