[at-l] Long Trail Speed Record Attempt

[david horton <runhorton@juno.com>]

Thanks go out to all of you who helped me with finding lodging near the
Long Trail.  Starting on June 8, 1999, I will be attempting to break my
very good friend Courtney Campbell's Speed record of 5days and 14 hours
to cover the 271 miles of the Long Trail.  As most of you know the Long
Trail is the oldest hiking trail in the U.S.  It runs from the Canadian
border down the middle of Vermont to the Mass. border.

I will have the outstanding crew of Fred Pilon ( editor of Ultrarunning
magazine ) and Peter Gagarin ( former editor of Ultrarunning magazine ). 
They are very experienced ultra-runners and outstanding orienteers.

We will be driving to the Canadian border on June 7 and camping on the
border that night and starting very early the next morning and heading
south. 

The following is a tentative schedule. The goal is to beat Courtney's
time and if possible finishing on the 5th day.

Day 1:  Canadian border to Smuggler's Notch; 64.2 miles. Smuggler's Notch
is on VT. 108 outside of Stowe  
              Lodging:  Vermont State Ski Dorm and Hostel ???

Day 2:   Smuggler"s Notch to Appalachian Gap; 45.3 miles.  App. Gap is
west of Irasville.
              Lodging:   Tentatively:  Mad River Inn which is 3 miles
east of App. Gap.

Day 3:   Appalachian Gap to Sherburne Pass; 59.1 miles.  Sherburne Pass
is on VT. 4
              Lodging:   Sherburne-Killington Motel

Day 4:  Sherburne Pass to Manchester-Peru Highway;  48.1 miles,  This is
on VT. 11and 30 east of Manchester
              Lodging:  Sutton"s Place in Manchester    ???

Day 5:  VT. 11 and 30 to the Mass.-VT. border,  54.4 miles
             Expected finishing time: ???????????? LATE

Concerns:

        1.  I'm concerned about the section between VT. 15 and VT. 108
over Whiteface Mtn. and Madonna Peak.  Courtney got lost there last year
at night and I will be going through this section late on Tuesday night.
This will be on day 1( June 8 ) 
 
         2.  In the 18.2 mile section between Jonesville and App. Gap (
over Camel's Hump )  Courtney and I had a lot of trouble following the
trail especially afer it got dark.   This will be during the second day (
June 9 )

         3. Water availability seems and was very limited between USFS 71
and VT. 9.   This will be on day 5 ( June 12 )
         
          4. Places to eat late at night in these towns???????

           5. The best way to deal with blackflies????????


I know the challenge that lies ahead is going to be very difficult.  With
God's help ( Phil. 4: 13 and 19 ) and Fred and Peter and many of you
helping out it is possible.  If you are in that area try to catch up with
us and tell me how bad I look!!!!!!!

We will be calling back to Gary Trittipoe daily and giving him updates to
put on our website ( http://davidhorton.simplenet.com     We hope that
you enjoy the reports.

In Christ 
David Horton
( The Runner )
A.T. 1991
L.T. 1999 ???????????
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