[at-l] Hike Report MA 2 to VT 9

[bcalkins at disaster-relief.net (Bruce Calkins)]

Friday evening my middle child/eldest son arrived with the weekends
babysitter for my daughter/eldest child's children freeing me for a weekend
to walk in the woods.  As pre-hike strategy sessions were lacking, the
evening was spent in reviewing/substituting/packing gear, selecting food and
choosing a destination.  My son wound up using my Eureka Zephyr as he had
forgotten his tent and carried/used his alcohol stove as his Coleman Peak
One was missing.  I chose to use my hammock for it's second outing.  Having
done the pre-trip stuff and packed the cars we turned in for a short night's
sleep.

I rose early, checked E-mail, fed Sam (My faithful canine companion.) and
the three of us loaded up in the two cars.  Breakfast was at Friendly's in
Bennington VT.  Then we went out to park Son's car at the AT/VT 9 crossing.
As we consolidated gear, Mouse Bait approached inquiring if we were headed
back to Bennington.  Of course we made room and delivered her to the motel
in Bennington, on our way back to Williamstown MA where we parked my car at
Haddad's Chrysler/Ford dealership.  (Ask permission.)  (We would have used
the Greylock Community Club again, but, the sign mentioned donations and we
did not want to wait for the bar to open to get permission and make a
donation.)

Cars parked, We loaded up our packs and set off, to the trail, then up the
trail.  The first few miles sort of flew by as we remembered a hike several
years ago where the two English speaking of us killed a overnighter, camping
at Eph's Lookout (Long, long ago, a listed campsite, now returning to it's
natural state.) and touching the MA/VT line. (4.1 miles)  Continuing on into
"new" territory we made it to the Seth Warner Shelter behind Easy Money who
was surprised to meet me again after our encounter last Tuesday/Wednesday at
and north of Tom Leonard shelter South of MA 23.  At the shelter (6.9 miles
for the day.) Easy Money and Charley were comparing notes, Both from Ohio,
both retired, both 64, do you know so-and-so, and so on.  Charley was taking
it easy after losing three days to knee pain.  (Both of these "older" hikers
were making strong mileages.  Having left Springer Mt. in mid to early
March.)  (Easy Money moved on to Congdon Shelter so as to get into
Bennington early.)   Several Long Trail/AT section hikers showed up over the
course of the afternoon for a total of 12 persons camped in or around the
shelter.  (Charley, Swede and Latin for Old Wing had trail names.  If the
others did we did not get them.)  The rain made a attempt to wet things down
but was pushed on by fairer weather that lasted through the night and into
the morning.

I slept well in the hammock, Sam accepted my sleep screen and seemed to
enjoy it's barrier from the few mosquitoes.  (His miserable experience at
Riga Shelter CT last week pointed out the need for something.  This dog
doesn't complain often, but that night at Riga was rough enough to get a few
whimpers out of him.)(And one more reason to find him a home off the trail
when I do my Through Hike.  Loyalty like this should not be abused or taken
for granted.)

Sunday morning We took our jolly sweet time getting ourselves fed, packed
and on the trail (9:00).  We met one hiker on our way to Congdon Camp. (7.2
miles)  While we ate our lunch a day hiker showed up (Ellwood) along with a
short sprinkle of rain.  Ellwood had done many pieces of the Long Trail and
a few of the AT.  After lunch we headed North again.  I estimated our
arrival at the car as 5:00 to 5:30 PM given our progress so far and was
pleased to find ourselves at the car at 5:15. (11.5 miles for the day)  On
our way back to the house, we had supper at Subway in Pittsfield MA, (Their
drink machine was broken so we picked up Snapple's next door.)  Desert was
next door to Subway's of course,  Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Sundaes!  From
there, back to the house, where my son picked up the babysitter and returned
to his home and I turned in as soon as I had checked my E-mails for
important messages.

Lessons learned: Pack a spare Pre-Filter for the Water Filter.  Find DRY
Wood for the Zip Stove.  Keep the head end of the hammock just barely above
the foot end.

Starting pack weights:  Myself=24, Son=34, Sam=8

Black Wolfe