Date: 2007-08-16
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Twelve Tribes Hostel
Miles today: 9.9

Sitting on top of Mount Killington. 360 degree view of the Green Mountains. Breathtaking. If only photos did it any glory. The wind is whipping but it is somewhat warm. A few tourists have shown up. All looking at me like I¢m wildlife or something. Surprised that didn¢t take a picture. Others have.The climb up from the north was fairly easy. Although the .2 miles on the side trail was hand over hand climbing, I¢d better get used to it with the Whites in front of me. The book says you can see them. Must be the huge ones on the horizon.Left the guys as the shelter at 9:30 this morning. I believe they had all intentions of finishing up the beer from last night before moving. I needed to get walking. Feeling the need to be alone in the wilderness lately. Had enough of the party scene for the time being. I¢ve felt that way for a coupe of days. Talking to Soco yesterday reassured me of my thoughts. Long Trail Festivals is this weekend. Seems like everyone around is going. I plan to go back into town today, get the town stuff done, do a 20 mile slack tomorrow then head north. ¢The March for G¢ Determined to hike all the miles and still meet him on time. If all works out I may be able to throw a zero in there. Should probably give extra time for weather in the Whites. The time has come to put these stinky things on my dirty feet and climb down this mountain. Feeling a little nervous about it. The wind likes to take my pack and whip me around. Probably do a lot of butt walking. Butt Walking = sitting on your butt and inching down a mountain.11pmAnother full circle day.On the way down the side trail from Killington ran into the guys. They were going to ride the gondola and finish the 1/5 of Jim Beam from last night. Wasn¢t interested in the least so I hiked on to meet Bobcat at the road. The rest of the hike was pleasant.Enjoying myself and the thoughts in my head. Realizing that the mental challenges are happening for a reason.Found a cold coke just before the road and Bobcat was waiting with ice cream. Ate as much as I could. A southbounder later came along and helped a little but most of it went to waste.Drove into Rutland and within 15 minutes of being at the hostel, Tumbleweed and Gypsy Spirit walked through the door. Joyful reunions all around. There is so much girl talk that needs to happen. They decided to go and stay at the Inn. The money and something else was keeping me here. We plan to meet in Glencliff and hike the Whites together. Looking forward to it.Went and enjoyed a few pints with JB, Popeye, Lightweight, Gnarly, and others. Waited patiently for the feed.The caf© fed us the most excellent meal. Green salad, garlic bread, and couscous with pesto and broccoli. All fresh.The full circle came when I realized that this same community ran the Mate¢ Factor in Manitou Springs. Retread and I used to sit in there for hours drinking Mate¢ while he would tell me stories about hit thru hike. The Mate¢ Factor is where I got inspired to do a thru hike. This is the pull that kept me in town. And the pull to get picked up this afternoon. Another simply amazing event.Looking forward to a 20 mile slack tomorrow by myself. Life does not get better than this.