Training Log Archive: MJChildsIn the 7 days ending Jul 20, 2017:
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Thursday Jul 20, 2017 #
Hiking (Long Trail) 4:00:00 [4] 5.0 mi (48:00 / mi)
Began hiking the Long Trail w Nancy G from Sherburne Pass (aka Killington) to Brandon Gap. Total Distance over 3 days about 20 miles. Shelters located at 5 miles, 13 mi and 19 mi, so, we planned for 2 nights with hiking days of about 5, 7.5 and 8 miles, respectively. Having not backpacked for about 15 years, and with my knees and hips complaining to me in the past few years, I was concerned about being able to go the distance, so our conservative plan seemed wise.
Day 1: Sherburne Pass to Rolston Rest via new LT route from Pico. Started at 8:30. Lovely open forest with mixed ground cover dominated by stinging nettles. They make a pretty bright green floor, and I was glad I had chosen to wear long pants (mainly anticipating mosquitoes and ticks). First mile gradual uphill on lovely trail with few boulders. At Maine Junction where the Appalachian Trail leaves the LT and heads east to Hanover, NH, we headed north. The climb was reasonable (400' difference from start to finish, not counting all the ups and downs in between), the rocks tolerable and we arrived around 12:30, having already stopped for lunch. Set up camp in the lean-to after visiting with a LT thru-hiker and an AT thru-hiker who missed the turn 4 miles back. Poor Guy. He started hiking last March. Seemed OK with his goof though. What's an extra 8 miles when you're hiking over 2000, right?
Soon after we got washed up, our pads and bags unrolled and our water purified, a huge thunderstorm came up (unpredicted by weather app). We gleefully enjoyed it from our dry cozy perch and were so glad we were not out there hking. About 5 min into the heavy downpour, another LT thru-hiker joined us--thoroughly drenched. He was staying for the night. Good thing, as the amount of rainfall saturated the ground and turned the trails into streams for the next few hours.
Felt a little tired but no knee or hip complaints, so it made for a good warm-up hike. Slept so-so as I usually do the first night camping out.
Heard lots of winter wrens, hermit thrushes, black-throated blue and black-throated green warblers. Encountered a young buck (deer) early on.
Day 1: Sherburne Pass to Rolston Rest via new LT route from Pico. Started at 8:30. Lovely open forest with mixed ground cover dominated by stinging nettles. They make a pretty bright green floor, and I was glad I had chosen to wear long pants (mainly anticipating mosquitoes and ticks). First mile gradual uphill on lovely trail with few boulders. At Maine Junction where the Appalachian Trail leaves the LT and heads east to Hanover, NH, we headed north. The climb was reasonable (400' difference from start to finish, not counting all the ups and downs in between), the rocks tolerable and we arrived around 12:30, having already stopped for lunch. Set up camp in the lean-to after visiting with a LT thru-hiker and an AT thru-hiker who missed the turn 4 miles back. Poor Guy. He started hiking last March. Seemed OK with his goof though. What's an extra 8 miles when you're hiking over 2000, right?
Soon after we got washed up, our pads and bags unrolled and our water purified, a huge thunderstorm came up (unpredicted by weather app). We gleefully enjoyed it from our dry cozy perch and were so glad we were not out there hking. About 5 min into the heavy downpour, another LT thru-hiker joined us--thoroughly drenched. He was staying for the night. Good thing, as the amount of rainfall saturated the ground and turned the trails into streams for the next few hours.
Felt a little tired but no knee or hip complaints, so it made for a good warm-up hike. Slept so-so as I usually do the first night camping out.
Heard lots of winter wrens, hermit thrushes, black-throated blue and black-throated green warblers. Encountered a young buck (deer) early on.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2017 #
Walking 30:00 [2]
The usual w Carl.