[at-l] Hike Report part 2

[ARTCLOUTMN@aol.com]

Sunday, April 16.

    Awoke at 6:00 AM to a blue sky and promise of a great day.  A group next 
to us consisting of 3 women and one man where asleep when I started our stove 
to boil water for oat meal and hot chocolate.  Everyone got up pretty 
quickly.  They were not yet trail tired having only hiked 3 miles yesterday.  
Lori complained that she got wet during the night.  Said her brand new 
ClipFlashlight CD leaked.  I checked it over.  The two girls did not zip the 
inside tent bottom and did not stake out the rain fly properly.  I hadn't 
check that tent last night because Rachelle was in it and I expected her to 
know better.  She just didn't want to bother.  I guess she is still learning 
like all of us.
    Breakfast went smoothly with no complaints.  We were out of camp before 8 
AM.  By that time the 3 ladies and the gentleman where up preparing for their 
day on the trail.  We headed north hoping to hike 8 miles to Mount Algo 
Shelter.  Near Bull's Run Bridge we saw fisherman out early for 2nd day of 
fishing season.  There were kayakers on the Housatonic River enjoying the 
great weather. 
    We stopped about 11:30 AM some place on Shattichoke Mountain near a 
stream for lunch and a water refill.  The women and man caught up with us at 
this point.  They were full of praise for the behavior of our group and 
amazed that anyone would bring a High School Group back packing.  Mandi and 
Laura were mother and daughter.  Together with Sara and Tom they were members 
of the Conn. chapter of the Green Mountain Hiking Club out for a CT hike of 
the AT.  Sara suggested the hike at a recent meeting and the others thought 
it was a great idea.  We left them at the stream to continue our hike.  It 
was not long before Laura caught up and passed us.  Eventually we reached the 
Mount Algo Campsite very hot and sweaty from our hike.  We used bandannas to 
clean the trail grime off our bodies then began preperations for dinner.
    Tom had to leave the trail.  He needed to get home to finish preparing 
his tax returns.  Since he returns his paperwork to Andover Mass.  he had 
until MidNight on Tuesday the 18th (17 Patriots Day legal holiday in MA) to 
send his return.  He offered to help us shuttle cars so we did not need to 
leap frog them on Monday as planned.  You never know when Trail Magic will 
strike.  After moving the cars he dropped us off back at the trail head.  An 
UltraLight AT Thru Hiker from 99 was walking up the trail to spend the night 
at the Shelter.  He did not have a trail name.  He used a Nomad, wore running 
shoes and a pack with no waist belt.  He had all kinds of gadgets he was 
trying.  The most impressive was a flashlight with 4 LED bulbs.  It was like 
having 4 PHOTON lights turned on at the same time.  All the bulbs were blue.  
They lit up the trail so well that you could make out colors of rocks and 
plants.  
    By the time we arrived back at camp my kids had made friends with a man 
and two boys using the shelter.  Bruce and his son Travis were out doing 50 
miles for a Boy Scout Merrit Badge.  Hans came along for the walk.  They 
carried pretty heavy packs with all types of extra equipment just to be 
prepared.  Bruce was not at all impressed with UltraLight's Nomad.  But a lot 
of people don't get it.  They are not really into long distance hiking.  
Camping is their usual persuit.
    John and I had a late dinner of Mashed Potato, beef jerky, hot chocolate, 
tomato soup, and instant pudding.  We hit the hay about 8:30 PM.
     
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