Date: 2023-06-19
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 22.9

I left around 8. Just a few minutes into my hike, I stumbled and cursed. Someone up ahead asked me if I was OK. Yes, sure, I was fine, but hate being slowed down by things like that. As I walked forward more, I realized it was Plunger and Skippy. They had camped at Glastenbury Tower last night - I saw a nice spot with a fire ring there when I passed it. They were taking a water break, so I pressed on.After one minor climb, I descended easy terrain to a gravel road around 10:20, and passed three young ladies with an accent who were taking a break. Shortly after that, I took my own break. It was a little muddy, and the flies were annoying. I should have joined them instead of sticking to my 2.5 hour minimum hiking window before a break. They passed me, and Plunger and Skippy caught up too - I take long breaks. Skippy said the three women are from New Zealand, and that she knew one through her mother, I think. She calls them the kiwis, after the New Zealand native bird I continued with my break, and left around 11:15. I began the long climb up Stratton Mountain, and got to the lookout tower a little before 2. There were crowds of people there: thru hikers, day hikers, section hikers, Long Trail hikers, etc. Plunger, Skippy, and the kiwis were there. My wet feet were bothering me. After climbing up the tower and enjoying the view, I took a lunch break and chatted on and off with people.I descended the mountain, which was rocky at first, but then got easier. I got to the Stratton Pond Shelter junction around 3:45. The AT guide indicated this shelter junction, as well as a trail to a campsite, then the actual pond. I figured would just walk to that third point to enjoy what I heard is a great view. However, as I kept walking past the shelter junction  I never saw it. I pulled out Gaia GPS, and it showed the trail going further away from the pond. I was so disappointed that I felt a little sick. I focused on getting to Spruce Peak Shelter, and took a break around 5:30. Plunger and Skippy said hello and we discussed staying at the shelter. I told them that I needed to get into Manchester tomorrow to resupply, and knew that they had already heavily resupplied at that stop and Shop a couple days earlier.I passed by William B. Douglas Shelter around 6:30, then a road walk for a mile or so. After one last minor climb, I got to the shelter around 7:30. Plunger and Skippy were nowhere to be found. This was understandable, because the shelter was full, and there was a group of about 20 overnight backpackers there. I was spent, especially with my wet feet. I was on my third day of wet feet, and the boots, always wet and muddy over the three days, were chafing my toes.I set up my tent and ate dinner. I discovered my bowl was punctured. I met a couple hikers who came in late, around 9: Sprout and Amy, from New York. Sprout is hiking the last 600 miles of the AT. She attempted a truck hike last year, but was injured while hiking through the White Mountains. Amy is tagging along for a smaller section.I finished up my camp chores, and went to sleep around 9:30. Thankfully, the overnight backpackers were not noisy.