Date: 2011-08-10
From: Hanover, NH

To: Tigger's TreeHouse Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Finally, I have a chance to update my journal. When I can get a message out, Rusty has been updating the basics, but I've had trouble getting a strong enough signal and recharging my phone, so the details have been sketchy at best. I'm in Hanover NH at the Six South St Hotel, waiting for a ride to the hostel later. This hotel is a very nice upscale hotel that is very hiker friendly and has a pretty good hiker rate. I'd recommend it to anyone that is staying in Hanover. Last night was calling for an inch of rain, so Quest Seeker, Leap and I got a room to share. (Delaware Dave yogied a bed in a private home.) Tonight is a stay at the Tigger's Treehouse Hostel. Ralph and Karen have been putting hikers up in there home for some time and Karen promised ice cream and sodas when we get there.As for the trail the past few days, the key word is rain. I haven't had to hike in the rain very much, but the evenings and mornings have had heavy rain, making the trail slick and a bit dicey in spots. Even though we started late a couple of days and the terrain was tougher than expected, we made it to Hanover a day or two ahead of my expected arrival. As for the terrain, after crossing Killington Mountain and staying at the Inn at Long Trail (where, surprisingly, I could hardly get a phone signal) the trail turned east. Where previously we would hike up a mountain and follow a ridgeline for a while, now we are moving east and going over one mountain after another. A couple of days ago we crossed four mountains in the same day. The only positive is that the mountains in eastern Vermont were not as high as Stratton or Killington. After the first day, I stumbled into the shelter exhausted and wondering what was wrong with me. Once all of the other hikers started commenting on how hard the day was, I took some comfort from the fact that it wasn't only me that suffered. Misery loves company. On the positive side, there was some beautiful scenery, a nice fire to sit by and plenty of company. Two days ago was a trail magic day. Two previous through hikers were set up at a road crossing handing out food and drinks, then at the next road crossing, someone had left bread, cheese, crackers and chocolate. Quest Seeker, Delaware Dave, Tippy Toes and Soul Slosher had gotten there well ahead of me, but they saved me some of the magic and made sure I was still moving north. People dc look out for each other on the trail.Despite the rain, mud that I sink up to my ankles in, constant hills and tired legs, I'm still enjoying the trip. The people, the sense of accomplishment and the beauty of Vermont made the effort worthwhile.I'd also like to thank Karen Sizelove for the chocolate that she sent to me at Killington. I kept some for myself and shared the rest. There are several hikers that said to be sure to send their thanks. I'd also like to thank Lisa Joseph for another package at Killington. Lisa and Izzy have sent me several packages (Izzy picked out the delicious Dark Chocolate Banana Bread bar). Their support has been a huge contribution to a successful adventure. I've had several people asking where to send the next package. I'm not sure yet. I'll be in Glencliffe NH in about three or four days, but after Glencliffe is Mt. Moosilauke and the beginning of the White Mtns. Mt Moosilauke is a 5200 ft moutain that represents the most difficult climb so far by a large degree. I'll be carrying as little as possible up that sucker.The Whites are all about steep rock climbs long uphills and testing myself to the limit. So while I appreciate the offers of support, I won't be able to handle much more than carrying the basic food and supplies for the next three weeks. Positive thoughts and energy will do wonders and as always, I appreciate the supportive comments in the guest book. I read everyone of them and even though I can't answer the guest book entries directly, I do notice the support.Finally, an interesting anecdote. The best book I've ever read about hiking the trail and part of the inspiration to realize that I could actually do it was a book called "AWOL on the AT". The author's trail name is AWOL and his real name happens to be David Miller. He also writes one of the most used trail guides, detailing places to stay, restock points, key points of interest and elevation profiles of the mountains. A couple of nights ago, I was in the shelter and AWOL showed up for the night. I am hiking with an older version of the guide and the elevation profiles were not completely accurate, so I was giving him a hard time about adding more mountains in the new book. The next day, I ran into him at a deli stop and he told me that he called his publisher and I'll have a new copy of the current guide waiting for me in Glencliffe. In case you haven't figured it out, guys named David Miller are really cool people.Anyway, send me good thoughts and positive energy the next couple of weeks as I tackle the White Mountains. If I make it through the Whites, I can do anything. And thanks for the support and comments.