Date: 2008-08-18
From: Northern Vermont -- Stumpknocker goes Sobo...

To: Tenting near Laura Woodward Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Long Trail 10 miles I can't believe I'm finally walking the Long Trail. It's one of those Trails I've wanted to do, but never got around to. That's why when Mrs Gorp said yesterday, that there,s no better time than right now, I said "yes". :-) It took me about 30 minutes to be ready to walk the Long Trail. I like not planning things too much...just letting them happen. We were dropped off about half a mile from the parking area that leads to Journey's End Camp and on to the northern terminus of the Long Trail. We ended up walking 1.8 miles to the start of the Trail. We did stop by Journey's End Camp and I found evidence that my ol' buddy Chief and Xmas were there. We got a few pictures at the northern terminus and were off on a mini adventure heading back to Killington which is about 173 miles south of here. Mrs. Gorp and I both just finished walking the southern 105 miles of the Long Trail about a week ago. I was enjoying a sunny day, but there was a forecast for severe thunderstorms later. I also was on the lookout for what my ol' buddy Chief said that was so "horrible" when he was up here 10 days ago. I haven't found it yet...but I still have another mile left to walk to get to where he bailed. Hey Chief...see anything that looks familiar in this picture? I'm tenting near Laura Woodward Shelter....the shelter my ol' buddy Chief stayed in on his third day on the trail. ;-) We climbed to the summit of Carleton Mtn, then descended to North Jay Pass. Next was a climb up Burnt Mtn, then we stopped at Shooting Start Shelter. I signed the register and used up a smiley face sticker. I saw where Chief said the "Bourbon Boys" were back on the Trail again. It was a nice 1,100 foot climb to North Jay Massif, then down a little and up to the summit of Doll Peak. We could hear the thunder in the distance and it had started raining s cold rain on our way up North Jay Massif. I kept looking for some tent sites...and I found a few, but we were having fun and ended up walking on. It got really dark out and a strong storm hit. I even had to get out my headlamp just to see. It was getting late in the day too. We made our way slowly down the slick rocks and mud and got to Laura Woodward Shelter. It felt good to get inside where it was dry and warm and I decided to do something I never do...I decided to stay in the shelter and not set up my tent. There was no one else in the shelter. If there was, there's no way I'd have even considered staying inside. It was 9pm and I was a warm and dry in my sleeping bag when a couple walked in. I made room for them and told them about the food bag someone left. The guy said that we had better get to sleep because he snores. I couldn't believe he said that. It was obvious they planned on staying in the shelter, so I got my tent and went out in the rain and set it up, took all my stuff out to it and crawled in for the night. I still can't believe someone would come into a shelter that late and tell the person that was already in there that they better hurry and get to to sleep because they snore. I'm writing this entry on the morning of the second day. It rained hard all night and it's cool out now. I think the rain is over for now. I slept great in my tent! :-) Another great day on this year's Appalachian Trail walk! :-)