Date: 2014-07-21
From: Big Branch Shelter (mile 1663.7)

To: Clarendon Shelter (mile 1680.6)
Miles today: 17.0

In order to meet our preferred end date, we have agreed to kick up the tempo. Earlier start times, less days off, and walking till almost dark. To that end, trying to increase the efficiency of our morning routine. (Well, Al's was already relatively efficient. I, on the other hand have not been able to trim much time off my morning routine. Usually about an hour and 15 minutes. Just means getting up earlier. Usually awake, anyway¢¦ last night, I tripped on a root and fell, narrowly avoiding the ravine which contains the river we camped next to. What I did not realize was that my ball cap was on my head and fell off into the ravine. Fortunately, I pulled too much water this morning and as I was dumping it over the ledge in the same spot where I had fallen, I noticed my hat down below. (As I was pouring water on to it). So once again, my hat-with-nine-lives remains with me. I think I am only on life number four.Today's discussion of technology for hiking involves the use of trekking poles. Initially, I was depending on them heavily to assist with weight transfer going UPHILL¢¦ I was thinking that this would also help to strengthen my upper body, as most of the work is being done by the lower body and back muscles. And while I think that that was true to a certain extent, I also started to feel sore in the shoulder joints, probably rotator cuff¢¦ It dawned on me that this could perhaps be putting unnecessary strain on that joint, so I stopped using them for up-hills except really steep stuff. I already do not really need it much for down hills, although for real severe stuff it helps with balance and taking some of the weight off your knees. So now my leg muscles are REALLY getting a workout.Tent space ¢¦ We considered camping at lost upon shelter, but when we got there, it was "tent city". In short, there was "no room at the inn". There was an open spot next to the privy¢¦ Naturally, we elected to keep walking. Presumably, we will encounter this more and more as AT through-hikers going in both directions are sharing tent spaces, not to mention section-hikers and weekenders. Additionally, the long trail passes through Vermont, a 105 mile stretch, and a lot of the people hiking that are also staying at these camp areas. In short, tentage will be tight in the state of Vermont. We pressed onto big branch shelter, only 2 miles away. It was also full, and we noticed as we crossed the bridge over the river (that runs along the side of the trail where the shelter was) an open site on the other side of the bridge (same side as the shelter) with a very nice camp area. After dinner, "Mr. jingles" came out and policed up our crumbs. During the night, he nibbled through Al's food bag. Although it may not have been him, but his cousin, speedy Gonzalez, as the culprit had nibbled into the bag of tortillas. Interestingly, I had rearranged the alignment of my tent, but during the night I discovered that it was wrong. My mattress was sloped from side to side, and being a side sleeper, all night long I found myself either falling forward or falling backwards as I attempted to stay on the sleeping mattress. From now on, I will inflate my "rubber lady" (my big Agnes insulated mattress) and test it out prior to deciding the alignment of the tent. More interesting field craft lessons learned. That is what this trip is all about. (Well, ONE of the things that it's all about). We ended the day with about 17.5 miles under our belts, at the Governor Clarendon shelter. Plenty of tent spaces, and a good chat with the other hikers camping there for the night. The evening was quite nice for dinner, we arrived around 7:30 PM, and as dusk settled in around 8:30, the mosquitoes woke up and at that point were quite active. At that point, all other activities could be conducted IN our tents. I was trying to make a phone call, though¢¦ So wandered around for little while trying to find a signal (unsuccessfully). Reception in the backcountry of the Green Mountains has been relatively spotty, even for Verizon. My friend, who has Sprint for cell carrier, has had poor reception (almost no signal) for a substantial portion of the overall journey.