Date: 2014-09-12
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchley Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

I had slept inside the shelter because it had rained I wanted to hang things up to dry, including my poncho/tarp. There were three of us in there, and one hiker left before dawn. I got up shortly after as it started to get light out and wondered why my alarm hadn't gone off. I checked my watch and the digits were all mixed up. My watch band had broken a few days ago and I had attached what was left to the shoulder strap of my backpack. I tried pushing the buttons, and before long, it went completely blank. I got up and made oatmeal for breakfast and headed out. I would have liked to know what time I started hiking, but the other guy in the shelter hadn't even woken up yet, so I had no way of knowing. Not having the time isn't critical, but it sure is handy to calculate you pace and estimate where you'll be for the night. I would have checked the time with my cell phone, but I knew the battery was almost dead and I might need it to coordinate meeting my parents in VT.Each time I saw a hiker coming the other direction, I asked the time and made do with the information I got. I came to a point where the trail crossed the road and was supposed to re-enter the woods before crossing a second road, but I came across the second road too soon. I was reviewing my guide when someone stopped and asked if I needed directions. I explained where I was trying to go and the gentleman pointed out where the trail went back in the trees. It was cleverly hidden behind the edge of a guardrail about 50 yards back and heavily overgrown. Sometimes you really have to search for the trail, not in the woods - its usually very clear in there; but when it crosses parts of civilization, such as roads and towns, it can be hard to follow.I had called my parents last night to extend our rendezvous point on Saturday because I was making better than expected progress. The trail had been very smooth and fast on Wed/Thur, but today it got rough again and my pace had slowed. I would need to hike from dawn to dusk every day to meet the extended rendezvous point or re-coordinate. With no watch and almost no cell phone battery remaining, I figured it wouldn't be realistic to count on waking up early enough each morning to get enough miles in, so I should modify my plan. There was also a restaurant 0.5 mi off the trail that I wanted to go to and wouldn't otherwise have time. Several hikers had recommended the place and mentioned the owners were very nice - offered to let hikers charge their cell phones and gave rides to town. As I arrived, they asked if I needed to hang any clothes to dry and sat me at a table with an outlet. I charged my phone and re-coordinated with my parents to meet at our original location which I could easily make even if I slept in. The food was great and they had maple soft serve ice cream, which I had never seen before, so of course I tried it. The ice cream was great as well.After lunch, I went to the next shelter and got there nice and early which left less than 12 miles to hike the next day by 2pm. With all the extra time that evening, I collected firewood and made a fire. My shoes were still a little soggy from the day before, but the fire dried them right out.I also had time to rake up a pile of leaves before pitching my tarp. I had seen evidence at a previous shelter of someone doing the same thing and I though it was a great idea. I didn't have a rake, but there were enough leaves, I could just kick them together with my feet and it was worth the trouble. I had a nice soft bed to lie on, though next time I will hollow out the center a little because I nearly rolled off either side.