Date: 2016-08-15
From: Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am holed up at the Inn at Long Trail. I have been here since the kickoff of Dudefest 2 on Monday afternoon. By all accounts Dudefest 2 was a big success with a rough estimate of 100 hikers in attendance. I zeroed here yesterday which was well planned as a major wind/rain storm blew through last night! I was humbled that so many hikers would show up. I hiked into Kilington with Sky and Muwinn that last few days before the party and we shamelessly promoted the event along the way. Half way we started hearing a lot of noise from other hikers and we knew it would be well attended. Our thoughts were confirmed when Pretzel (a thru hiker Class of 2015) handed us cold Genesee Cream Ales at a cross road and further confirmed out estimates of hiker numbers. Pretzel would also show and he was kind enough to bring a group of northbounders who are some miles back to to the party. One hiker, Three Times, I had not seen since Kelly dropped me off after July 4th and I gave him a leftover cold Blue Moon beer.To get to Dudefest 2 I had to cover a lot of miles and I owe Sky and Muwinn a nod as they pushed me on Sunday. We covered 20 miles and did it the mellow way. We did not stop hiking until 10:30 at night. We thought we passed the shelter and stealthed camped in a four wheeler road bed next to a stream. In the morning when we woke up we realized we were 100 yards from the shelter!!! In the end setting up in the road was better. Shelters are packed because of rain and the number of sobo, nobo and Long Trail Hikers on the trail.Speaking of rain the night before I walked 2 miles in the dark in the driving rains Sky and Muwinn got out ahead agree our trail magic with Pretzel. I stayed with Time Warp and Greyhound and considered all options then launched off into the quickly darking woods. I passed Wanderer and Chicago setting up and when I saw them yesterday they said they were worried when I passed them that night as the rain and wind really kicked in. The reality was I came to the AT knowing I would have to rely upon my outdoor skills and I did that night. At one point I was worried I was off trail as there was so much water pouring down the trail looked liked a creek. A cooler head saved the day and when I arrived at the shelter I was relieved and very wet. I wish I could name all the characters that attended Dudefest 2, but I can't. Here are some....Haiku, Cake, Peace Foot, Sailor, Blue, C Sharp, Sky, Muwinn, Time Warp, Greyhound, Fireball, Pluto, I am Liquor, Sphagnum PI, Pineapple Express,Freemont, Wallet, Eagle, Lt. Dan, Jack Rabbitt, Lee, Frolic, Mace, Daddy Long Legs, 1%, Thanks Alot, Blade, Sarah Lee, Dutches, Tucan, Tri State, Pupply Mill, Karma, Sunshine, The Long Trail Kid, Nathan, Lazereth, Cyndi Loopers (2015), Pretzel. (2015), Miss Janett, Joy Ride (who certainly went for a joy ride at Dudefest 2), Hippie Toes...the list goes on. We are all excited to move forward into New Hampshire! I hope to make it to Hanover in a few days. Tri State, who is off trail, lives there and offered me his place. I look forward to the hike and cross my fingers it dries up. Kelly sent my cold weather gear to Hanover. This was the right choice as it is cooler. When we came over Mt. Kilington on Monday it was wet and cold up there... The kind of cold you feel when you first get off s ski lift "at the top"! And we are in ski country. Funny, it's mid August and back home it's blazing.Sky, Muwinn and I hit the 500 miles to Katahdin sign the other night. It was surreal. I only have 500 miles (actually less now) until this amazing journal is over. I am going to cherish every step and I am having the time of my life!