Date: 2014-07-14
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

It rained most of the night and everything is damp once again. Its not raining now so I quickly packed up and hit the trail. Easy downhill to Hell Hollow Brook where the bridge has been designated closed as it is no longer structurally sound. But it appears intact and is only leaning slightly so of course over I go! After that its a 3 mile climb up 1000 feet to a wooded summit with no view and head down the other side. The terrain got tough after that with slippery rocks and roots with mud bogs competing for time on the trail. Goodard shelter is nice with a slight view and the sun is shining so i peeled off my wet shirt and socks to lay them out in the sun to dry off a bit. Go Far from N. Dakota (think Fargo) showed up and is taking a break also. After a short time I moved up the hill about .3 miles to the fire tower where I took a lunch break up in the tower. The views were fantastic and I tried to get some panoramas. There was a bit of haze but I think I could see Bromley Mtn. off in the horizon. Glastenbury Mtn where the fire tower is located is 3573 feet and reminds me of the Adirondacks with the stunted alpine spruces, big rocks and long straight ups. I then made my way down to Kid Gore Shelter and ran into a North bound Long Trail section hiker named Eric. We talked for awhile and I answered some of his questions about his backpack and hiking in general. I am always leery about giving out advice but understand what it was like just starting out and not having a handle on everythin. We were joined by Gofar shortly after and continued our conversation. After a while I moved out and on to Story Spring Shelter where Mosie, Jungle Jim, Ferris, Woodstock, Gofar, Jpeg, Solie, Listen, Squirrel and several others were. Everyone is mostly tenting. Two South bound Long trail hikers LJ and Marcus showed up and LJ is joining us in the shelter and Marcus is tarp tenting in his hammock. There is a threat of rain tonight and I don't want to deal with a wet tent. Oconee joined us around 7 and it was good to see him and he is also joining us in the shelter. The number of old timers continues to be smaller than the kids. I saw some Moose poop on the trail today in several different places. Either that or Vermont has some huge bunnies. Kind of excited to think that we could possibly see some moose soon. This has kind of restarted my enthusiasim for the trail a bit. I also saw one hoof print and will keep a special eye out for one around the beaver ponds that have become more frequent. I also jumped one deer early this morning but didn't get to see if it was a buck or doe. I did bleat at it and had it huffing and blowing back at me trying to see what I was or where I was. No berries today though one more day - tomorrow and then into Manchester for a break and a chance to catch up on my journal which I am typing now (7/15) since as I had said before my battery is quite low and I am nursing it to make it last. Around 1 am Cardinal showed up after having a confrontation with a couple and there angry threatening dog that they had in the shelter. Felt bad for him as he tried to put together his cot and get into the shelter with us. Woodstock and Oconee were gracious enough to make room - after waking up and realizing what was happening- as this could have been any one of us and after all we are all in this together whether we realize it or not.