Date: 2018-08-08
From: Hopewell Junction, NY

To: Killington, Vermont
Miles today: 201.0

The past few hundred mile have proven to be a new barrier for thru hikers to push through.  Connecticut brought us back into the mountains with climbs that we have not seen in a long time, adding a toughness to the trail also not seen since the south.  Although brief, Connecticut was challenging.  Even though climbs rarely exceeded 800 feet, there were SEVERAL of them.  However, the end of New York and beginning of Connecticut revealed wildlife to me I have yet to see.  In my last few miles of New York, I saw two solid black squirrels!  Never seen one before.  Then one night, while night hiking alongside the Housatonic River under a full moon in Connecticut, I had a flying squirrel dazzle so close in front of my face, if I had been thinking sharply enough I literally could have reached out and grabbed it from the air before it landing on and ascending up a tree close by.  At first it confused me as it floated down in a way a feather or piece of paper would drift if it were dropped in a windless environment.  A fantastic moment and night on the AT.  The transition into Massachusetts was a beautiful one with Race Mountain (see pics) greeting us close to the border for our first real mountainous view since Virginia.  Beyond this point we were in a constant battle with mosquitos the rest of the state, as it was dominated by swamps, marshes, and beaver ponds.  However, the trail was in great shape for our feet.  Days of rain saw us out of Massachusetts and sent us into Vermont, also known as, and totally deserving, of the nickname Vermud.  This included the climb over Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, as well as the mountain that inspired the book Moby Dick, as the mountain resembles a large whale.  The first 80 to 100 miles of Vermont was spent in ankle deep mud and water of which there is no avoiding.  You just have to accept that for days you are going to have wet and muddy feet, shoes, and calves.  Mud is also exhausting to hike through, as each step is a battle against gravity and friction (or lack there of).  Finally in Killington we have exited the mud.  Although challenging, Vermont has brought us back into the rugged mountains with spectacular views and 4000 foot mountain tops.  Also interesting is that at 3500 feet at this latitude brings the same biome that 6200 feet brought in the south, dense pine forests which bring the freshest air.  Absolutely beautiful.  Not easily accessible, we are getting a preview for what is to come, The White Mountains and Southwestern Maine, argued to be the most challenging parts of the trail.  There is an excitement among the hikers as we have reached 1700 miles and have less than 500 miles left, yet we are remaining humble and patient as we have a lot of challenges, yet amazing experiences, that still lie ahead.  Some hikers are continuing to battle current challenges which may prevent them from continuing, such as mental and/or physical exhaustion.  One hiker had to take a few days as he started to find blood in his urine, a sign that his body is eating itself.  I have also heard of a few cases of Lymes disease preventing others from continuing.  And some are simply reaching the end of their mental endurance concerning lack of societal comforts.  Every day I am super thankful for my health and continued strength that I hope will allow me to finish this journey smoothly.  The past few hundred miles have been difficult but I have found strength in numbers with surrounding myself with other hikers.  I am currently taking my first day off since July 14th, 450 miles ago, in order to prepare for the White Mountains of New Hampshire which I will be starting next week.  The beauty of the Northeast continues to inspire and humble us all.  We are all amazed that we may only have another month remaining of this journey.  I continue to miss each of you and carry you with me.  Wishing you all well.