Date: 2007-08-05
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Glastenbury Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Mountain Climbing MachineI got cold last night and actually had to bundle up in my hammock. I haven't had to do that in quite some time, it was great! I would bet the temps were in the high 40's. That made the morning go a little slower. I wanted to be up and heading into town early, but I didn't get out of my hammock until 8:30. I packed up and was walking by 9:30, flying down the trail. I made the 4 miles quickly and was hitching into town at 11. I got a ride from this nice couple who dropped me off at the outfitters. I need some body glide badly, but they didn't have any. The outfitter let me borrow their bike so I could ride the 2miles to the grocery store. I was trying to be slick and take back roads instead of riding on the highway, but I ended up getting lost. Well not lost, I just took the scenic route. I peddled uphill to the Bennington war monument and found a map. Then I coasted down hill, over a covered bridge, and onto the highway. I eventually made it to the grocery store and got a 2 day resupply. Then I peddled back to town using the direct route and gave the bike back. I went to use the internet at the library, but it was closed on sundays. Next order of business was lunch so I went and sat at the bar of the madison brew pub. I had a burger and two very large ipa's and got friendly with the bartender, sarah. She offered a tent spot in her backyard to me, but I had to go run it by her mom first. I thought that was weird, but whatever. She had me walk a mile down the road to this deli where she worked. I walked in and found her mom and explained the situation. She actually said no! Her reasoning was that her husband wasn't home and I guess she didn't feel safe. WTF! My hopes of a free meal/shower/laundry were dashed. I stayed in town over an hour longer than I planned for nothing. Fed up, I hitched back to the trail and was hiking by 4:20. I realllly wanted to camp on top of Glastenbury mountain, 10 miles away. I wasn't going to let the town setback foil my plans so I hiked like I never hiked before. I listened to a Phish 03 Denver show and damn near jogged the 10 miles. I stopped only once to get water, but otherwise I was cruising. I passed ron, who said he was amazed at my speed, and made it to the shelter .1 from the top at 8pm. I got water and headed up to the glastenbury firetower at 3750ft and found my friend barry manilow there, about to head out. I convinced him to stay and camp in the firetower with me. I lugged all my gear up the metal stairway into the small cabin above the trees. The sun had just set and a full color show was in effect. You could see for days in all directions. I picked out the adirondaks, the catskills, greylock, and the entire green mountain national forest. It was my first full view of the green mtns and man am I psyched to walk through them. We were so high that the sunset la! sted for almost 2 hours. I felt like I was watching it from an airplane. Barry and I sat up talking drinking a 1/2 liter of wine I packed up. Once the sun set the stars came out and were some of the brightest I've sen since the smoky's. I saw about 5 streaking meteors. The only down side of being up in the firetower was the wind. The windows were gone and it was super drafty. I would bet with the wind chill it was in the low 40's. We just stayed bundled up in our sleeping bags and were fine. Hauling ass up that mountain was so worth it. That firetower is a top 5 camping spot on the entire trail so far. Possibly number 2 after mt Cammerer lookout in the smoky's. It is so great to be in the northern mountains with new flora and fauna. I also feel completely cut off from civilization. My cell phone doesn't work and I can't hear a single car. Life is GREAT!Today's StatsStarting Point:Congdon Shelter Ending Point:Glastenbury MtnMileage:14.7Elevation Gain:4310ftElevation Loss:2560ftHiking Time:5:24Weather:Cool sunny perfectPain Factor:2