Date: 2010-08-27
From: VT 103/Travel Inn/Rutland,VT

To: Rutland,VT
Miles today: 0.0

Ripple asked me to update her journal and her peeps a bit. Ups is sick and hit a health clinic in Rutland and they decided to take an extra zero day for her to re-cupe a bit more before hiking out. Ups, I hope you feel better soon! Both Ups and Sideways have earlier sections to make up as well as Ripple, so they all have summiting in mind due to weather concerns and finishing their thru hikes this year. Other hikers did a "flip flop" a while back or skipped ahead to Maine and headed South, that had similar worries...but Ripple intends on hiking North regardless. They have received word from several that it takes about 30 days to Katahdin from the VT/NH line, which is coming within a couple days. We're starting to get a better picture of when she might get to Katahdin. I too miss the pictures and Ripple hopes to get some more uploaded before too much longer. The computer access with ability to upload photos is poor and has been for weeks. She's been afraid of putting the original discs in the mail for home...after several hiker stories of missing boxes. I got a rare phone photo yesterday while the group was lunch breaking atop Killington Mountain (major Eastern ski resort). Extraordinary, sorta reminds me of the views in the Smokies and she's quickly approaching the Whites in New Hampshire. I sent her cold weather gear to Killington, her 15 degree sleeping bag, hat, gloves and long johns. When she recently skipped ahead, the weather pattern noticeably changed and it's chilly at night and early morning now...and there's also plenty of water, which was a great change for Ripple from dried up water sources in NY & CT. The Whites are coming quickly and can change from sunny, warm and breezy to gusty and freezing in minutes. I read someone else's journal that the top of Mt Washington was oddly clear and warm with barely a breeze and the next day/mountain was 60 mph winds and visisbility of about 10 feet. For those that don't know, Mt Washington has a weather center and known for having some of the most volatile weather on earth. Until just this year, it had held the record wind speed for decades. Overall, she's doing wonderful. I am sooo excited for my friend. The good days well outnumber the not-so-good. Her body, feet, brain, gear and attitude are holding up nicely. All of that time consuming gear and trail research has really paid off for her. The only thing she's changed or re-supplied is socks...she added a "dry ducks" rain suit early on and her Walmart convertible pants were super comfy but didn't hold up. She's even finishing with the same pair of boots! She'd really worried about the bulk and weight of her Asolo boots, but turns out they might be a little heavier for good reason, they last. Stay tuned, I hope to help her find somewhere to get more pictures posted!-LauraGod love 'er! Thank you Turner! Here's my written journal:It was nice to sleep in a little before bustin a move back to the trail. I starting movin¢ & shakin¢ @ 7:45, got showered, packed the pack-holy crap it is HEAVY!!! & went down to U&S¢s for breakfast-leftover JD biscuits, chocolate pop tarts and grape juice! Relaxed one more min (or 15) and headed out to the gas station/PO to mail my box home. We kidded and almost went back to the hotel to 0 but started walking to the bus station for the Ludlow bus, upon arrival we learned it wasn¢t for 3 12 hours and decided to zero! We¢ll take the earlier bus @ 7:15 tomorrow morning. I spent the $2 and bussed it back while they walked. I checked out the neighboring motel and worked a good deal! This joint has breakfast! We hit the gas station for food and holed up! We ate, slept and ate some more. We¢re sharing a room today. Tomorrow we will reenter the woods for the last leg. It will be tough, cold and trying but we are pumped and ready. I¢m so glad to be w/ these guys again! Our packs heavy, but bellies full, forecast looks good and terrain-DOABLE! It¢s going to be another great leg on the AT!