Day 88-19 Miles today from Mark Noepel Shelter to Seth Warner Shelter, 4,800 Feet Up, 4,800 Feet down, 1609 AT Mile Marker (MM)

Too Much Time on my Hands

I stared at the logistics last night. I did it again this morning. With designated camping spots the logistics of the daily hike including the miles and the elevation make it difficult to plan ahead.

I really wanted to make it three more miles yesterday but I didn’t want to pay $175 for a bed at the lodge on Greylock. So I had plenty of time yesterday at the shelter by myself but didn’t want to use my phone battery because I need to stay out in the woods several more days. At 7:30 I decided I would just lay on the mattress. It didn’t take me long to get to sleep. It is a bit odd being by yourself for the first time in a while. And I’ve spent many nights in the woods by myself.

I woke up a few times last night sometimes hearing noises. I kept thinking some kind of critter was going to try to get into my pack and find some wrapper I forgot to remove and put in the bear box.

Logistics Just Don’t Work

The sun started to slowly diminish the night sky sometime before 5:00. At 4:55 I woke up and knew it was time to start my day. I once again stared at the logistics.

I think I was hoping I had missed something. But it just doesn’t make sense for me in the next day. I have a 3 mile climb remaining up to the top of Mount Greylock. Then a steep 6 mile descent into town. The town has a few hotels but I really don’t see a need for a hotel tonight.

This morning I put on a clean hiking tight and clean hiking shirt. In addition I still have plenty of food left over for several more days of hiking. My options however are limited.

I could push my longest ever day to get to a shelter. My other option besides a hotel in town is to go only 12 miles today to a campsite. That seems the most logical destination. My mind tells me that is a better option than pushing hard today. But is it?

Lonely

It is still sad to know that Knockerz is no longer hiking with me. That is compounded by the fact that I have jumped ahead of the Nobos I was hiking with and had become friends with. I probably won’t see them again. I suspect many of the people I had been hiking with are at least three weeks behind me now.

I see very few people on the trail now and last night I was the only person in the very large nice shelter. I don’t want to say I’m lonely but I have to believe that I am feeling alone.

No Fun Being Wet

This morning started out as a cool morning probably in the mid-60s. Low lying clouds dampened everything. My socks actually feel wetter than when I laid them out to dry last night.

My bedding, sleep clothes, and sleeping pad felt moist. Not wet just moist. I just feel wet all over not soaking wet sweat just annoying dampness. Being wet this long starts to wear on you.

The final climb up Mount Greylock went quickly. Unfortunately the clouds had set in below the summit. Above the summit it was clear but the clouds shrouded the views. The forest is a spruce Forest that has a lovely Christmas tree scent to it.

Background Noise

I’m also acting as Spider-Man this morning because I’m the only one out here. I am capturing all the webs recently laid across the trail. It’s kind of like the circling gnats on my head, just something that is background noise continuously tickle my face.

The only thing I really watch out for is an ambitious spider that actually put a web across the trail and it’s hanging out waiting for a treat. You can tell when you run into those fully formed webs because they give you a little bit of resistance. And it’s more of a net across your face as opposed to a single tickling strand.

Happiness Only Counts When it is Shared

Yesterday I finished the book Into the Wild about Christopher McCandless and his fateful expedition into the backwoods of Alaska. I should have been listening to something more uplifting but I watched the movie at Angels Rest hostel many moons ago and I thought it would be good to listen to the book on trail.

In the end McCandless, who tried to escape society by heading out into the wilderness realized that we are wired as humans for connection.

His final quote in his journal was “Happiness only counts when it’s shared” suggests that while individual joy is important, its true meaning and impact are often amplified when shared with others (AI quote). I feel that quote now as I hike alone.

Quick View Below

Although Mount Greylock was above the clouds and the views were mostly shrouded, there was a short break in the cloud ceiling. I was able to catch a quick glimpse of the valley below. I was shocked at how far down it was.

It has been since the Roan Highlands I have seen such a dramatic elevation change between the summit I was on and the valley below.

“Mount Greylock is a the highest point in Southern New England. Greylock rises above the surrounding Berkshire landscape for views as far as 90 miles”, but not today. The trail then then descended off Mount Greylock.

Another Mountain to Climb

The next climb up to Mount Prospect ledge from the trail junction was only two tenths of a mile but it was at an elevation of 1,000 ft per mile. That slowed me down tremendously. Then there was a 2 mile long, 750 feet per mile descent into the town of Williamston which also slowed me down.

One of the first things I always notice about approaching the developed world is the sound of lawnmowers. As I’m descending down this deep drop I am now starting to hear lawn mowers off in the distance.

Trail Magic

It was 11:30 when I rolled through the little town of Williamsburg. I had not seen a single soul on the trail since yesterday.

Then at the old Greylock school was trail magic! Lisa walked by and explained about the different people in town who donate to these five coolers.

I was able to grab some food for lunch, cold drinks, and a few supplies. It was so well appreciated. I was just thinking about how I haven’t really had a lot of trail magic lately.

1,600 Miles

After Williamston the trail went over an old AT crossing from 1958 over the river and then even higher up to cross railroad tracks. A short road walk later and the trail then basically went up somebody’s driveway.

The trail continued to climb the next two miles over a thousand feet in elevation. I passed the 1600 mile from Springer mark. That means less than 600 miles to the big K.

Fell In A Creek

The trail meandered next to a really nice creek with lots of little waterfalls. The water also made it to where the woods were really heavy with gnats now buzzing my head.

I stopped at the creek to rinse off and I slipped on a rock and fell in. I was in waist deep water.

Soaking wet from the waist down, I continued to climb when I saw Pete’s spring. I have been walking on a lot of walk boards lately through swampy areas so seeing a good cold mountain spring was too much to pass up.

It was then that I ran into Weedingit is traveling with Mrshorty. Knockerz and I had seen them several days ago near Upper goose pond.

After continued climbing the trail then climbed up a very steep rock scramble called the Rock Garden. I hiked on until I got to the shelter. It was my longest miles and most elevation I’ve done in one day . I was exhausted.

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