Date: 2014-07-07
From: Mt Greylock, Bascom Lodge

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

What a treat to wake up at Bascom Lodge, at the summit of Mt Greylock. It's sunny. Humidity has increased. Meanwhile there's coffee and muffins. On plates. At tables. And Vermont is in everyone's sights. The hike down the north side of Greylock is memory lane for me. I go past the place, just shy of the summit, where I had literally laid beside the trail last year trying to recover enough for the last push to the top. Then down the steep trail that challenged me, both up and down, a year ago. It really is a steep one. And then the trail crosses through town as it heads for the next climb, going north. Longer ups and longer downs are what I'm expecting now. We're back in the mountains. It's very exciting. Ten miles into the day the AT enters Vermont and joins with the Long Trail. That merge will continue the next 105 miles. We're in Vermont! The 12th state. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine remain. I think all of us expect challenging and spectacular days ahead. The Vermont line is a good place for a break. For me, I'm satisfied with the day now, even at just ten miles. Next shelter is three miles away, or the one after is ten miles away. I got a late start today. Decision time. Meanwhile thunder is building. As I head off down the trail it begins to pour. Thunder is cracking overhead. The trail almost instantly becomes a creek. Welcome to Vermont, trail name Vermud. I splash through puddles over my ankles. Sometimes the mud almost pulls my shoes off. The closest shelter it is. Vermont decides. Only Kristo, Shivers, and I stay here. The rest of that momentary group on Greylock yesterday have pushed ahead to the next shelter. Rain or no rain. And another downpour rolls through before dusk. I'm glad we stayed here. A thru hiker new to me, Breakfast, comes in just before this rain and tents. A Long Trail hiker, just starting, arrives. Rain again. The trail will stay wet and muddy. My feet have been wet for days now. Abrasions are forming. The gritty wet is getting to them. Even on the recent couple of great days the trail was frequently a puddle, and my feet always wet. But I've learned that nothing is forever on the trail. Eventually I'll dry out. Just not yet. Meanwhile, at some point I sat on some poison ivy. What a dumb move! I don't know how I could have done that but obviously it happened. My backside has a huge patch of the itchy stuff. At least a hand's width. This too shall pass. And you can be sure I'll inspect every potential seat closely from now on. Likely it happened as I sat filtering water at some source. Wet feet, wet clothes, wet guide book, and poison ivy. It doesn't sound pleasant. But that's something funny about hiking the AT. It doesn't matter. It will pass. Meanwhile each day moves us further up the trail. I have a mental map in my head. I see, and feel in my gut, the miles of AT behind me. Barely 600 miles remain ahead. Some of the most incredible trail awaits over the horizon. A deep excitement is stirring. As I listen to the rain come and go through the water logged forest I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow.