Date: 2015-07-20
From: Stealth Camping at Thayer Brook

To: Stewart Hallow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I hit the trail early. I decided to have breakfast at Mt. Algo Shelter. When I arrived Mado, Luigi, and a few other hikers were still there. One hiker told a story about how a bear walked up on her while she was answering the call of nature. She did not know what else to do but put her arms above her head to make herself appear larger. Fortunately it turned out well and the bear walked off. As I was heading down the trail I ran into a woman I met back when I started the AT. She is using 2 cars to hike her way along the AT. She stages the cars at road crossings and hikes south. It sounded like a lot of work to me, so I was glad to see she was still on the AT.The heat and humidity again were just about unbearable, as were the bugs. I have a head net with bug repellent but I hate to wear it. It is extremely hot, and the repellant does not seem to work. Instead the bugs just graphics onto the netting and ride along. I can still hear the mosquitoes buzzing, but at least the bugs stay out of my eyes and ears.Shortly after crossing CT 341, which goes to Kent, I ran into 2 separate groups of mewbie hikers. One group had 2 men and a young girl. The other group had 3 young guys. All of them were out for just a few days, and they all had huge packs. As a Wilderness First Responder I kept an eye on all of them as we made our way up the trail.One of the young guys seemed to be struggling. He had the classic signs of being dehydrated. I suggested to him and his friends that they all drink more water and eat to replace their electrolytes. (I later found out they had skipped both breakfast and lunch.)The trail became more and more challenging.   Caleb Peak was a tough rocky climb, and St. John's Ledges was a treacherous rocky descent. Luigi had caught up to me and we hiked the rest of the way to the shelter together. It was nice to have company.We had a long road walk, then a long fairly level hike along what appeared to be an old road or railroad bed next to a river. NY lacked water, and CT seemed to lack paint. There were several spots along the AT today (and throughout CT) where it was unclear were the trail went. We got to the shelter fairly early. I could have gone further, but I was trying to time my arrival at Cornwall Bridge tomorrow for late morning. So I called it a day, leaving about 4 miles to hike in the morning.I planned to tent because I do not like the design of the CT shelters with the porcupine gaps. So I set up my tent then collected water and cooked my dinner at the shelter. Luigi was the first to notice the mice in the shelter, and they were very bold. This was the first time I have seen mice in a shelter. I knew to expect them, but I guess to this point I have been lucky.Eventually the two groups of newbie hikers arrived at the shelter. They looked exhausted, and they had large heavy car camping type gear. They all seemed to have 2 person tents, and they were all cooking in the tent area. (They were also doing other things contrary to LNT.) I was glad I was not camping near them. The 3 guys also really crowded Luigi, so I helped him move his tent over towards mine, where there was more room.I talked with everyone and made sure they were OK, then I went to bed. I was really looking to a hot shower and clean clothes!The AT is calling. As much as I love the AT, sometimes I just have to have a shower and wash my clothes. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough for me.