Date: 2017-07-10
From: Cooper Lodge, VT

To: Inn at the Long Trail, Killimgron, VT
Miles today: 8.3

7/10/17, Inn at the Long Trail, Killington, VTMiles hiked: 1345.2, Miles to go: 795.0I climbed the steep 0.2 mile trail to the top of Killington Peak to see the sunrise. I'm glad I didn't try going up last night for the sunset. It was steep! After my long climb, the last 0.2 miles to the summit may have proven to be the straw that broke the camel's back. The sky was overcast, so the sunrise wasn't too spectacular; but, the view was incredible. It was definitely worth the climb. As a result of my little excursion, I didn't get on the trail until 8:45 AM. Ninja, Lighthouse, and Blue Steel were long gone. Even all the section hikers had packed up and headed out. That was alright, though, because I was only doing an 8.3 mile Nearo, mostly downhill, into Killington where I planned to resupply and spend the night at the Inn at the Long Trail, another AT icon. The Inn is home to McGrath's Irish Pub, which is sure to serve Magner's Irish Hard Cider. As I was hiking, I got a text from Sitting Bull wanting to know where I was. He and Hoops were just leaving Rutland, which is next to Killington, after having zeroed a couple days at the Yellow Deli Hostel. The Yellow Deli is run by the Twelve Tribes religious movement, although some regard them as a cult. I'll let you Google them and make your own decision; however, I felt an inn hosting an Irish pub was more my speed. I came to the point where the Long Trail and the AT diverge, with the Long Trail continuing north to Canada and the AT heading more easterly toward NH. And who should be sitting at the intersection but Hoops and Sitting Bull! I was so excited to see some of my people again. They accompanied me to to the Inn, where we had lunch in the pub. The food was as good as advertised and the atmosphere was great. After catching up on everything that had happened since we last saw one another and sharing trail gossip, I went to my room and took a much needed shower. I then caught the bus to Rutland to resupply and get my hiking poles repaired since I've worn through another set of tips. I was able to resupply; however, I struck out with the poles because the outfitter had gone out of business. Upon my return to the Inn, I found that Sitting Bull and Hoops had decided to stay and head out with me in the morning. Yay! The rest of the afternoon was taken up with chores, such as laundry and repackaging food. We had another outstanding meal at the pub and were waited on by the owner, Murray. What an interesting and gregarious fellow! I would highly recommend stopping in if you are ever in the area. I heard from 1st Sgt today. He has been crushing the miles and is almost 90 miles ahead of us. He is hiking with Pa John and Spaz and will be entering the White Mountains tomorrow. Unless he takes a bunch of zeros, I doubt we will catch back up with him. I also heard from Blood Mountain. He just crossed the halfway point in PA and is still chugging north. Typically, only about 1 in 5 hikers complete the trail. It's interesting to note that all five of us who stayed in the Blood Mt Cabins way back in Neel Gap, GA - me, Hoops, Blood Mt, Antman, and Alexa (now McFlurry) - are still on the trail. How cool is that!?We will head out tomorrow after breakfast and are planning a 21.7 mile day. The Weather Channel is calling for a 100% chance of rain with heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. It sounds like it might be a nice day to sit in an Irish pub and drink Magners...