START LOCATION: Seth Warner Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: VT-9/Arlington, VT
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 11.5
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,601.3
MILES TO GO: 577.8
It would have been tough to wake up early this morning with our late
arrival into camp. But, when you leave your rainfly half open and it
starts raining at 5:30AM, you perk right up. Fredo, Smoke and I met
many of the Long Trail hikers this morning around breakfast. We
chatted it up with them and answered more questions. All cool peeps.
Smoke and I said bye to Fredo and hit the trail just after 8AM. We had
a rendezvous with Panda and my dad at Vermont Rt. 9 for noon. This
meant we had to book it. Smoke felt great, but I was dragging. I had a
light dinner and little sleep the night before, which I think were the
culprits. We had a quick break at Congdon Shelter about 7 miles in.
Ioaded up on water and had a couple of cheese sticks. That did it.
Smoke and I cranked the next 4 miles. We were looking to be about 10
minutes late... Until we hit the top of a rollercoaster. The 1/2 mile
down to VT-9 was one of the steepest descents we've had on the AT. It
cost us about 10 minutes and almost cost us our knees.
As we came around a corner near the road, Panda, my dad and the pup,
Bemis, were hanging out about 100 yds south of the parking area. It
was great to see them. We were sopping wet with sweat, so fist bumps
sufficed in lieu of hugs.
We grabbed some BK on the way back to my uncle Jeff's house for some
instant food gratification. Jeff was home from work early, so he was
there when we arrived. Long and short, we spent the afternoon and
evening telling stories, catching up and eating... Lots of eating.
Good times. It was also great to catch up with my Mom and west coast
family on Skype while my sister and brother-in-law await the birth of
their first.
A fun and busy zero planned tomorrow. Errands, some computer chores,
laundry, resupply and some downtime with my aunt and uncle coming out
from Gloucester. It'll be a great day.
-natedog
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