Date: 2009-07-24
From: Story Spring shelter

To: Prospect Rock
Miles today: 16.2

Squeegie got up and got going early, despite the rain, as she was due in Manchester (21 miles away) to meet her family at 5pm. I felt no incentive to push myself that much, especially as the twins had found out the day before that the Green Mountain Hostel was already booked! We never had to make reservations at a hostel before, so I didn¢t even think to look into this. So, I waited for the rain to let up before getting up. I took my time and looked the register as I ate my breakfast (my entries from last year were still there). Sunbeam and Halfmoon were the last of their group to leave. They also intended to get into Manchester.         The trail today was very familiar to me, as I had hiked it both north and south last year. In the morning hours, I listened to my ipod, and decided to listen to some music that a friend of mine (who I had not talked to since Virginia) composed. When I got to Kelley Stand Road, I checked my messages and got one from him! It seems that we both wanted to reconnect at the same time! I told him I was standing at the AT sign where my journey started last year, and he thought that was pretty cool. Then, I started my way up Stratton Mountain. I remember how easy the climb was for me last year. This year, it was the opposite. It was much muddier than last year, the skies were overcast, and I was tired. The summit seemed to take much longer to reach, and I did not have the same sense of excitement that I had last year. I passed by the caretaker¢s cabin, where Jean and Hugh seemed to be occupied with company. I climbed the tower and sat down to eat some lunch, just as I did last year. However, it did not feel the same being alone. Sitting with a friend was more fun. I thought Jean would come over to say hi, but she did not. I made a couple of phone calls, and then decided I better go say hi to her. She and Hugh welcomed me into the cabin and I asked Jean if she remembered me from last year. I reminded her of our conversations and she said that she did remember me and expressed her pride in the fact that I undertook this journey. She said that a lot of people say that they will hike the trail and never do. Her guest seemed amazed that my first backpacking experience took place just over one year ago, and that I set out alone to tackle the entire trail so quickly. Hugh gave me the weather forecast (afternoon storms) and asked me how I had found this rainy year. I told him that it really hasn¢t been bad, to which he replied that I was an optimist. He told me how much the other hikers have been complaining and then told me a story of one hiker¢s strange attitude. That hiker was the one I had trouble with in the beginning of the trip. I told him what I knew and Hugh said that the word I used to describe him was the same one he had been thinking! It was so nice to be validated and supported! These are good people! Jean gave me a hug when I said that I better get going. I still had a good number of miles to cover.      Luckily, the downhill went much more quickly than it had last year. However, the mud was trying. It takes more energy to hike through the mud (trying to skirt around it, getting stuck in it, slipping) than it does to climb hills. I fell twice descending Stratton. One time, my left side just pulled me over, but it was a good fall with minimal impact. The other time, I fell right down into the mud on my skirt. I knew that I would not be out here in these conditions on a day hike or a small section hike. It was just not fun. A thru-hike, however, forces you to push through whatever the trail throws at you. It might not be pleasant at times, but you get through it and keep moving on. I feel that my mental state is strong and that any disgruntlement I feel about the trail conditions lasts only a few minutes.          I stopped in at Stratton Pond shelter for a little break and met a group of southbounders. They were surprised when I got up to head back out (they thought it was a northbound thing to just keep hiking). One of the guys wanted to impart some advice: make wise decisions, eat your vegetables, brush your teeth before bed... I thanked him and off I went to Stratton Pond. I stopped to take a break there, as well. I didn¢t swim, as I didn¢t have time, but I did wash the mud off my legs. I was surprised to see Johnny Thunder and Freefall who were hiking south through this stretch (they had gone to the Xtravaganza trail magic in Manchester). After I put back on my shoes and socks, they wished me well, thinking they wouldn¢t be seeing me again (I told them, I bet they would!), and off I headed into the woods, and into new territory (I wished the trail took us around the pond, as the landscape on that path was much prettier). A few miles in, I encountered another southbounder who asked me where I was headed. I told him I didn¢t have a specific destination for the night- that I would just camp anywhere. He said he does the same thing.       When I arrived at the path leading towards the William B. Douglas Shelter, around 7 pm, I had a big decision to make: should I hike the half mile to the shelter and have a sure place to stay during the expected storm (meaning I would have an extra half mile to hike the next day, as well), or press on and stealth camp. (Hugh wanted me to get to a shelter and be safe). I cooked and ate my dinner at the intersection, wavering back and forth. Two giddy guys who were hiking south seemed ecstatic to reach the shelter path. I finally decided to keep moving. I didn¢t want to hike an extra mile.    Before long, the AT turned onto a wide dirt road that kept going and going. There weren¢t any places to camp on either side. I felt rather unsafe and began to regret my decision. How long was this road going to go on? I saw a trash can to my left and decided I might as well dump off my trash. There was a large rock behind the trashcan, and I wondered if I might be able to camp behind it... Then, I saw a small trail in the woods behind it! I followed it to find a rock ledge with a view of Manchester! And there was a patch of woods nearby that was perfectly suited for my hammock! Wonderful! I strung up my hammock, changed, and went back to the rock to take out my contacts and brush my teeth as darkness fell and the city lights glimmered.