Date: 2009-09-01
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Wild Camp North of Stoney Brook
Miles today: 14.5

The first day of September arrived after another chilly night. A hat, T-shirt and fleece night. An OK but far from cosy night. With the rest of September and the whole of the Whites as well as the rugged, but unfortunately northerly, beauty of Maine lying ahead I once again feared it was also fair warning of worse to come.It's crazy. I still have some 500 miles of trail ahead of me and if I was preparing to set out on day one of some other 500 mile hike I'd currently be agonising over gear choices; making sure everything was in tiptop condition; that it served the purpose; and that if I had to compromise that it was the best compromise in the circumstances.What I would not be doing would be cutting corners.And yet, here I am,with those 500 miles ahead of me but also 1700 miles behind and so I just can't seem to shake the desire to mend and make do; to nurse my dilapidated, failing and by now frankly inadequate gear on to the bitter end.An extra layer or two for New Hampshire and Maine in September makes perfect sense; a warmer sleep system; something more waterproof than my now tattered rags. You cannot argue with the logic but.... I grudge the expense (which I can easily afford) and am instead minded to muddle through. If I grudge the price of a pair of Long Johns then what chance a new sleeping bag? No chance! I don't want to buy stuff and not use it but neither do I want to buy stuff and then wreck it through use! By any analysis its plain dumb, but there you have it.There were still chances that common sense might prevail, but they were dwindling. I was going to pass an Outfitter today and then again in Hanover but after that the die would be cast. As the remaining miles decline the cost/benefit will increase and the more likely I will be (barring emergencies) to just use what I have. I was trying to psyche myself up; trying to convince myself to do the right thing; to make the necessary adjustments but all the time my 'inner miser' whispers in my ear, 'Hey it's only another 500 miles; another 5 weeks; you got this far; you'll do just fine!'Am I too easily led? Time will tell.I haven't seen many Long Trail hikers this year and as this morning's hike passed Maine Junction, the point where the Long Trail and AT once again part company, I guessed I wouldn't be seeing any more. Skipping the lookout at the top of the climb I headed down through Gifford Woods State Park and on to the road leading to the village of Killington. I had plans for Killington, I planned to seek out the Post Office, some Groceries and, who knows, maybe even that dreaded Outfitter.The Post Office did what Post Offices do; the resupply was pretty good; and the Outfitter, well the Outfitter brought the expected indecision. I tried on some pants; I discussed sleeping bag liners; I baulked at the cost of anything moderately waterproof; I looked at thermal underwear (even the ladies); and in the end, after all that, I walked away with 2 new pairs of socks.Yeah, last of the big spenders.Returning to the State Park I had the pleasure of bumping into Chef again. He's a good lad. He seems continually happy, has a good attitude and I, for one, have yet to see him with anything other than a smile on his face; unsurprisingly then it's good to see him, to chat and to part fully expecting to repeat the whole process in the not too distant future.Saying our goodbyes I decided to take advantage of the coin operated showers available in the park. Much needed it must be said what with it being 8 days since my last ablutions. It was, needless to say, quite wonderful and although I wouldn't say I emerged pristine, I was now washed and wearing a clean T-shirt and my new socks. I think I would qualify as presentable.