We made it back home this afternoon after getting the last three seats on the flight.
We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and good wishes during our time on the trail.
Turtle and Navigator
P.S. Stay tuned for continuation for more posts as we get ready for next years adventure!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Round 2: June 21, 2009 – Day 9
Starting from Stratton Pond Shelter
Hiked 10.7 miles
The morning started with a wood pecker banging its head on the back of the shelter what a way to wake up don’t you think.
Overall the terrain for our last day on the trail was mild with fairly small uphill and downhill which also allowed us to make fairly good time. We made it to the road crossing meeting up with Terri, Dick (Dale’s cousin), and Dick’s kids Bridget and Trevor just after 1pm.
We then drove a short way down the road and got some real food at a local diner and then it was on to Dick’s house to pack things up and to get a much needed shower.
Total miles hiked: 360.3
Hiked 10.7 miles
The morning started with a wood pecker banging its head on the back of the shelter what a way to wake up don’t you think.
Overall the terrain for our last day on the trail was mild with fairly small uphill and downhill which also allowed us to make fairly good time. We made it to the road crossing meeting up with Terri, Dick (Dale’s cousin), and Dick’s kids Bridget and Trevor just after 1pm.
We then drove a short way down the road and got some real food at a local diner and then it was on to Dick’s house to pack things up and to get a much needed shower.
Total miles hiked: 360.3
Round 2: June 20, 2009 – Day 8
Starting from Goddard
Hiked 19.3 miles
The night sleeping at Goddard Shelter was somewhat eventful. Along with dealing with heavy rain a raccoon decided to visit the shelter in the early hours of the morning. This created a mad house of people trying to get the raccoon back out of the shelter.
The days hike went well it did not rain but due to the rains the day before the trail was wet and muddy. Towards the end of the day we went over Stratton Mountain which by the time we made it to the top it was full of black flies and light rain.
We got to Stratton Pond Shelter at about 7pm and proceeded to filter water and get the other necessary things done before we went to sleep.
Total miles hiked: 349.6
Hiked 19.3 miles
The night sleeping at Goddard Shelter was somewhat eventful. Along with dealing with heavy rain a raccoon decided to visit the shelter in the early hours of the morning. This created a mad house of people trying to get the raccoon back out of the shelter.
The days hike went well it did not rain but due to the rains the day before the trail was wet and muddy. Towards the end of the day we went over Stratton Mountain which by the time we made it to the top it was full of black flies and light rain.
We got to Stratton Pond Shelter at about 7pm and proceeded to filter water and get the other necessary things done before we went to sleep.
Total miles hiked: 349.6
Friday, June 19, 2009
On the Plane Again
While the hikers are blazing the trail someone has to be home to keep things going . . . so it is on the plane again for me. I will be heading to pick them up and with any luck at all will get on the flights without a problem. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they finish this years adventure.
Round 2: June 19, 2009 – Day 7
Starting from Congdon
Hiked 14.4 miles
It rained hard most of the night so the trail was a watery mess. The steps of the trail dance continue to evolve. There is the “avoid the puddle” step which consists of doing everything that you can to go around the puddle. There are many reasons why this step is a good one, but the most notable one is that if you step in the puddle your foot will sink three (3) inches or more in the mud, creating the next step the “cement boot shake off.” Other steps include the “trail straddle” which consists on either stretching your legs out on either side of the trail or walking on the raised edge. Slipping from the “trail straddle” usually results in the "boot soak stream blazer" which needs not explanation.
Remember the earlier posts about boot issues? The boot repairs and blowouts have caused major water leakage for both Navigator and Turtle. When they take their boots off in the evenings they find that their feet are wrinkled and water logged. The good news is that even in the humidity their feet are able to dry over night. From what they say their feet are probably a C- on the foot health grading scale.
The shelter was full when Turtle and Navigator arrived so they had to erect the tent. The other hikers were fine with them setting the tent on the walkway or porch in front of the shelter. The tent was still damp from five days ago!
Note to self, day hiking is good . . . hiking in water soaked conditions and sleeping in a five day old wet tent is not good! More power to the DIE HARD DUO!
Total miles hiked: 330.3
Hiked 14.4 miles
It rained hard most of the night so the trail was a watery mess. The steps of the trail dance continue to evolve. There is the “avoid the puddle” step which consists of doing everything that you can to go around the puddle. There are many reasons why this step is a good one, but the most notable one is that if you step in the puddle your foot will sink three (3) inches or more in the mud, creating the next step the “cement boot shake off.” Other steps include the “trail straddle” which consists on either stretching your legs out on either side of the trail or walking on the raised edge. Slipping from the “trail straddle” usually results in the "boot soak stream blazer" which needs not explanation.
Remember the earlier posts about boot issues? The boot repairs and blowouts have caused major water leakage for both Navigator and Turtle. When they take their boots off in the evenings they find that their feet are wrinkled and water logged. The good news is that even in the humidity their feet are able to dry over night. From what they say their feet are probably a C- on the foot health grading scale.
The shelter was full when Turtle and Navigator arrived so they had to erect the tent. The other hikers were fine with them setting the tent on the walkway or porch in front of the shelter. The tent was still damp from five days ago!
Note to self, day hiking is good . . . hiking in water soaked conditions and sleeping in a five day old wet tent is not good! More power to the DIE HARD DUO!
Total miles hiked: 330.3
Round 2: June 18, 2009 – Day 6
Starting from Wilbur Clearing Lean-To
Hiked 17.1 miles
The weather today was decent. It was cool and humid. The trail was still sloppy. And the day was long!
The hikers called me around 3:00 p.m. at the top of a long climb. They were taking a break before they headed into the home stretch to the shelter. They were in good spirits.
They shared the shelter with Hot Wheels and Spokes again!
In the morning Turtle and Navigator made it into Vermont!
Total miles hiked: 316.9
Hiked 17.1 miles
The weather today was decent. It was cool and humid. The trail was still sloppy. And the day was long!
The hikers called me around 3:00 p.m. at the top of a long climb. They were taking a break before they headed into the home stretch to the shelter. They were in good spirits.
They shared the shelter with Hot Wheels and Spokes again!
In the morning Turtle and Navigator made it into Vermont!
Total miles hiked: 316.9
Round 2: June 16, 2009 – Day 5
Starting from Dalton
Hiked 20.3 miles
The morning brought decent hiking weather with cool temperatures and only light sprinkles. The hikers made terrific time the first 10 or so miles to Cheshire, MA. Then they got to Mt. Greylock, which was seven miles of uphill with multiple steep climbs. The highest peak is 3,491 feet. It was grueling terrain. The cherry on the top of the cake was that there was a stone observation tower at the top of Mt. Greylock.
From the hikers:
Navigator, “There were some steep climbs. It was hard. There was a stone observation tower at the top. We didn’t go up. We saw all we wanted to see from the ground.”
Turtle in the background, “What do you mean hard? I wasn’t going to climb up that tower. The only way I would go up in that tower is if I could drive up the mountain.”
It must have been bad! Think about this . . . when I ask if they took pictures of people they usually say no or we forgot but they never forget to take pictures of the scenery!
They made it to Wilbur Clearing Lean-to where they met two thru hikers, Hot Wheels and Spokes who were typical, down-to-earth folks!
Total miles hiked: 299.8
Hiked 20.3 miles
The morning brought decent hiking weather with cool temperatures and only light sprinkles. The hikers made terrific time the first 10 or so miles to Cheshire, MA. Then they got to Mt. Greylock, which was seven miles of uphill with multiple steep climbs. The highest peak is 3,491 feet. It was grueling terrain. The cherry on the top of the cake was that there was a stone observation tower at the top of Mt. Greylock.
From the hikers:
Navigator, “There were some steep climbs. It was hard. There was a stone observation tower at the top. We didn’t go up. We saw all we wanted to see from the ground.”
Turtle in the background, “What do you mean hard? I wasn’t going to climb up that tower. The only way I would go up in that tower is if I could drive up the mountain.”
It must have been bad! Think about this . . . when I ask if they took pictures of people they usually say no or we forgot but they never forget to take pictures of the scenery!
They made it to Wilbur Clearing Lean-to where they met two thru hikers, Hot Wheels and Spokes who were typical, down-to-earth folks!
Total miles hiked: 299.8
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