Date: 2014-07-08
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter, VT

To: Killington Mt Campsite, VT
Miles today: 23.7

During the night it rained like cats and dogs starting around dark and continuing to the early morning hours. I was so glad to be in the shelter as all my gear was dry this morning. I ate breakfast beside the pond in the quite of the morning. Once packed up I headed north walking beside the large pond (see photos). The trail descended down crossing VT 140 and then up and over Bear Mt., VT. As I walked I ran into section hiker Swamp Fox. We visited for a while on the trail and traded stories. He has a goal to walk the entire AT in sections before he turns 70. He has 3 years before that milestone and he only has the three northern states to complete. It was motivating talking to him. I am sure he will reach his goal. Further north the trail descends again eventually leading to Clarendon Gorge. I arrived at the Gorge around lunch time. As I looked down the gorge with its racing river and swimming holes I thought what a perfect spot for lunch and a dip! I walked down the steep edge of the river bank, pulling off my pack and shoes to dry on a large rock in the sun. I headed over to the river where the water funneled through large rocks which have been carved into unique shapes over time by the water. Some local folks were there enjoying the water hole and told me where best to get in the river as well as other useful pointers (e.g., where it is deep, where the current is strong, etc, etc). They were essentially my lifeguards as I made the plunge into the water (see photo). Awesome! I jumped into the rushing river and it propelled me down stream to an eddy that pulled me back over to the shoreline. I spent over a 1/2 hour in the water visiting with my new friends. I finally pulled out of the water feeling refreshed and ready for lunch. Perched on a larger rock in the sun I had lunch and dried off. Once done I said goodbye and headed over the gorge via a larger suspension bridge and up to a nearby crossroad. The trail now headed toward the formidable Mt Killington. As I began walking up some of the hills before the climb to the mountain I noticed that my legs felt heavy and I felt sluggish.   Hmmm, what's up I thought, I should feel refreshed after the swim. Then in my mind I could hear the voice of my kids saying, "Dad you remember what you always tell us about how swimming saps your energy and that is why we should never swim before any of our sporting events." And then I knew why I felt so sluggish and tired..... I guess I am guilty of "do as I say and not what I do". It is going to be hard going the rest of the day as I really did feel sapped of energy. However I did push on and I made it to Governor Clements Shelter which was about 1/4 of the way up to Mt Killington. I sat and rested for a while and also tanked up with water.   Two other thru hikers, Coconut and Spice Kit, were also there taking a short rest. They planned to go the rest of the way up to the summit. I was spent and planned to walk with them part of the way up as I looked for a campsite. I had already put in close to 20 miles so I was not looking to put in many more miles. I could do the summit tomorrow when my legs were fresh. So off we went climbing the mountain. About 1/2 way up I realized based on the terrain I was not going to find a campsite until I reached the shelter at the summit. So I trudged on albeit slowly. After much huffing and puffing, and little voices of my son and daughter in my head saying, "you should have known you would be tired hiking after swimming", I finally reached the summit. It was around 7:30 pm and I looked around for a good tent site. I set up my tent and started the regular routine of cleaning up and cooking dinner. Coconut and Spice Kit rolled in about a 1/2 hr later. They settled into the shelter which was a bit rough and in need of repair. I was definitely beat but pretty satisfied I was on the summit. It meant tomorrow was going to be mostly down hill plus a few miles shorter than planned since I have set up a stay at a lodge right on the trail for tomorrow night.