Date: 2008-08-14
From: Mark Noepel Lean-To

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

No rain last night or today, 2 consecutive rain free days is a new record.Within the first 3 miles I reached Mt.Greylock. This is the highest peak in Massachusetts at 3,491 ft. Unfortunately the Bascom Lodge was closed until next year. The War memeorial that stands at the summit was closed as well. The view however was not disappointing, looking out onto the horizon , I saw my first glimpse of Mt. Washington which was approximately 270 trail miles away.Even at this distance it stood out and above the surrounding mountains. Impressive was how I would describe it. I thought about when I would be standing on that mountain in 2-3 weeks. Although clear, the temperature was quite cool and the wind made it even colder. Since the roads were being repaved there were no tourists. Here on Mt. Greylock I was joined by Sprite, Freckles, Medium Rare, John & Kelly, L.B.Dutch and a section hiker named "Green". Because of the heavy rains the past several days, the trail was more of a flowing stream. At the last road crossing at North Adams, we opted to take a half mile detour to a store and get a good lunch. I sat outside on a bench devouring fried chicken. It is really a strange feeling to come off the trail and then go into a large grocery store. I can feel my brain at times shifting gears and readjusting to the sudden shock of sensory and environment change.Heading back to the trail head, I was looking at the upcoming climb. I had also noticed the forming thunderheads in the distance. Another 5 miles, brought us to yet another victory milestone. I have just crossed into Vermont, the 12th state. In addition, the AT shares for the next 105.2 miles the southern portion of the Long Trail begining here at it's southern terminus. Beyond that the trails split and the Long Trail continues another 167 miles into Canada. Note to self- I must complete the other half of the LT at a future date.At the top of Prospect Mountain there was a small open area with a great view.I stopped here and had a second lunch just taking in the view of the valleys and adjacent mountains. Medium Rare arrived and joined me. It is moments like these, that make it all worth it. The feeling I have right now is so peaceful.I feel good from the inside out.These past several miles have been a nasty mud slog. It will be days before my boots will even begin to dry. From this point until I reach New Hampshire, I will always remember Vermont as VERMUD! Had my boots not been laced up tight, I would have had them sucked off my feet several times, from pulling them out time after time from deep black soppy goo.The Shelter tonight is small and full. The surrounding area in which to tent is mud and muddier. My tyvek ground cloth paid off here. I met the people at the shelter, as it turns out they are all from Indiana. Hiking was CareBear & Growler, I met them at the Bird Cage. Their friends Kevin & Jen had come to join them for a few days. The mud is unbelievable, it slow's you right down, and makes it difficult to walk. Occassionly there have been some split logs and boards to walk on. However the rotted boards break and a couple of times my feet have slid right out from under me so fast, I'm on the ground before I realized I fell? My feet have been wet for the past few days. They are holding up but I can see where they are beginning to break down. I always keep a dry pair of socks and set of clothes in my sleeping bag. No matter how nasty the day is, I always find comfort in being dry and warm at night.Although rain was in the forecast and it looked like it was going to happen, I was grateful that it hadn't. Hopefully I'll get a good night's sleep, because tomorrow will undoubtedly be a slow mud slog all day long.