Date: 2005-06-30
From: The Birdcage Hostel - Dalton, MA

To: Bascom Lodge Hostel
Miles today: 17.5

Miles hiked today : 17.517.0 AT miles + 0.3 mile of side trail + 0.2 roadwalk mileI managed to sleep in until 7:30 a.m. this morning and awoke well rested, having slept in the basement. I went upstairs to pack my food bag, during which Turtle brought me an egg and cheese sandwich from the general store down the street. I was straightening up the kitchen when Rob asked whether I wanted to stay another day or slackpack southbound from Mount Greylock, which would also let me stay another night at the Birdcage. I opted just to head out of town and, as I was leaving, Rob told me that I was welcome back anytime. Rob is quite the nice guy. Opa and I hiked out together at 9:30 a.m. While walking out of Dalton, I saw several baby frogs on the sidewalk. They must have very recently been tadpoles as they were about the size of a pinky fingernail and were hopping every which way to avoid me. Amazingly, I counted more than 30 of them before I entered the woods.I hiked steadily for 4.3 miles until the base of my shoulder strap slipped out of the buckle and I was forced to take a break at 11:15 a.m. I knotted the strap so that it wouldn't be able to slip through the buckle and wondered why I hadn't thought of that over 1,500 miles ago. After 10 minutes, I continued up the trail.At 1:10 p.m., I arrived in Cheshire, having covered 8.8 miles. I spotted a small ice cream and sandwich shop, so Opa and I stopped for a 30 minute break. The shop didn't accept credit cards, though Opa was kind enough to buy me ice cream. After the break, I continued on and began a steep climb through an exposed field with the temperature in the mid 80s.At 2:40 p.m., I had covered the steepest part of the climb and took a much needed 10 minute rest break. It was quite hot out and I was sweating profusely. Moving on, I reached Mark Noepal Lean-to at 3:55 p.m., stayed for a 25 minute rest break, and then pushed on. The 3.3 miles from the lean-to to Mount Greylock were trying, as I was tired and my feet were sore from being wet. The last 0.5 mile, however, was the most difficult, with a very steep 241 foot climb over mud, roots, and large rocks.I arrived at the summit of Mount Greylock at 5:55 p.m. and proceeded to the War Memorial Tower. I dropped my pack outside and climbed the 89 steps to the top of the tower to check out the view. Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy, so I was unable to see any of the mountain ranges which were listed at each window. After climbing the tower, I went to the shelter at the summit, though there was a sign saying that camping was not allowed except in emergency situations. As such, I proceeded to Bascom Lodge, also on the summit, to pay the $10 fee to stay in the hostel. I also opted to pay $7 for an AYCE breakfast at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.The lobby of the lodge itself is available to sit in, which is nice because the hostel is little more than a musty smelling garage a short distance down the hill with some bunks and mattresses; no linens. I cooked dinner outside the lodge, watched clouds roll in in a matter of seconds, and listened to thunder claps, noting that I was currently on the tallest peak in Massachusetts. I wasn't extremely worried about lightning, as the summit is home to a very tall radio tower and another tall metal structure which would probably be hit before me. As I began to eat, rain began to fall, so I moved inside to eat and journal. While finishing my tuna and noodles, the lodge employee on duty, Tim, brought me a loaf of sourdough bread, which will be good for pb&j sandwiches. Then Opa brought me an ice cream sandwich for dessert, what a guy! These are but a few of the many times on this trip where I've been graced by kind acts.At 8:00 p.m., after eating, I took a shower and spent the rest of the evening reading in a very comfortable chair. Tomorrow, I'll be crossing the 600 miles remaining threshold and will also be entering Vermont, the 12th state of the AT.Bedtime at 9:45 p.m.