Date: 2011-07-15
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge (Killington, VT)

To: North Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 94.8

07/11: I wanted to leave before normal breakfast time, so MML made up a breakfast the night before, and left it in the common area fridge. I asked for ice cream as part of it (sugar high being great way to start the day), and they provided that too! Eating (what I do best) delayed my start to 0620. It was a long hot day, started with a steep climb, then lots of short up and down, but mostly clean trail tread so I could make good progress. Once again rain in the forecast, but didn't happen. Reached the Thistle Hill shelter, got some good cold water (the sign says .2 to water, more like less than 100 yards), then proceeded a bit farther, to and old roadbed that crossed the trail, and tented there (Thanks to the SOBO who told me about the spot.) 27.2 miles for the day, puts me in good shape for reaching Norwich/Hanover tomorrow.07/12 One hot and stuffy night, and another hot day expected. Hit the West Hartford Village store for refreshing treats in the AM. There is a place two doors up from there, it is a sign company I think, where you can get water and tent. Onward to Norwich to Dan and Whits general store, not that great but as it turned out chewy granola bars were cheaper here than at the co-op at Hanover. Simply astounding :-) Then into NH and Hanover, where I asked at Mountain Goat outfitter if they had any insights into how to pitch a non-freestanding tent on a wood tent platform. It comes down to finding one of those things and seeing if I can get my tent up. Wood platforms are taking over the tenting environment now. Free Snickers bar at MG! Used the computer at the Dartmouth Outing Club building, then bought some more food at the co-op store.   Shower and laundry at the Rec Center were timed to coincide with a thunderstorm that blew through. Hiked on after the storm cleared. After you leave Hanover, the 'Forest Protection Area' signs start to kick in, can't tent within 200 feet of the trail. I had been debating all day whether to try staying at the Tigger's Tree House hostel, and when the skies clouded right back up and looked threatening, decided it might be good idea. Called when I reached the Etna-Hanover Center Road, but they were full. Continued on, unsure where I could tent, and wondering if the skies would cut loose. But I found an old roadbed just after EHCR, walked down 201 feet (in a FPA) and pitched the tent. 20.3 miles for the day.07/13: Rain never happened another hot and stuffy night. Couple of thousand foot ups, that followed by 2K up to Smarts Mountain. Feeling a bit dizzy all day, am I getting sick? Up top the mountain by 1545, early but I decided to stay as I figure I can get to Glencliff by 5pm tomorrow, so as to pick up box at PO and then stay at the hostel. Plus the skies are now looking more ominous than I have seen in a while. Tent sites here, but really only one grassy flat one, and I claimed it. Also a fire tower with commanding views. So I hung out up here, something different for me. Note: There is a note posted at the kiosk before starting the big NOBO climb that says the water is iffy here, and indeed it is minimal and brackish. So glad I carried extra up, even though it was more work. Anyway the rain struck in earnest at 1830, much thunder and lighting, and was over by 1930. So glad to be in my tent but found out while I seemed to have plugged the leak at one end, now there is a leak from one or two other places. Important to alway have things to worry about, keeps the mind occupied. 17.5 miles for the day.07/14: A cool night for a change, way up here at 3K feet, put my jacket on in the morning for the first time in a long time. Fair easy getting down off the mountain, but then the climbe to Cube Mountain commenced and turned into a rocky boulder and slab walk. Lived through that, and though it took me an hour longer than 'regular' walking, I made up the time later and got to Glencliff and the PO by 1545. Successfully retrieved my box, and then over to the Hostel for refreshment, and computer time. Decided not to stay, went one more mile to the shelter and tented. About 21 miles for the day.07/15: 8.3 miles in 6 hours. That's what it took me to get over Mt. Moosilauke. It was a tough chug up, some good views at the top, and then heavy concentration and care, tiptoeing down the other side. Of course the younger set just flies by me. When I finally got to the bottom, fellow had just set out trail magic in two styrofoam coolers. He offered me a ride into town. I needed to call to check prices so he went to the parking lot nearby to wait for me. I then tried to sit on one of the coolers and it immediately fell apart. Sh*t! Next tried to put all the spilled stuff from the exploded cooler in the other one, and at a certain load it too blew apart. So then I went and found the trail magic guy and told him what happened. He still gave me a ride to town. And loaded up the trail magic, to be replaced in sturdier coolers I hope. I offered to buy them but he wouldn't accept. So now I am at the Carriage Motel. Have arranged for a ride back to Kinsman Notch, to slackpack to Franconia Notch, and then I will call the shuttle service to come get me. The shuttle part is only $10-12 total! But of course I will be paying for another motel night. It's only money.