Day 145 - Saturday, September 4, 2021

Temperatures were unseasonably cool again last night as I had to put on my gor-Tex shell and gloves to start our hike this morning. I prefer this weather than hiking in 85° plus heat anytime.  Within 5 minutes I took off my outer layer as our typical  morning uphill climb had me all warmed up 🥵. 

Recent rains have really made the trails one big huge quagmire with nothing but mud, roots and wet slippery rocks to slow you down, making every step an adventure. And the forecast for tonight and tomorrow afternoon is more rain which will make hiking about as much fun as walking barefoot on a hot tin roof 🥴. I keep telling myself… “it’s just a walk in the woods”.


Today we are continuing hiking in the Green Mountain National Forest from Stratton-Arlington Road (1636.5 NoBo) to VT 9 Bennington, VT (1613.9) equaling 22.6 miles. 


We started hiking at 6:00 am under cloudy skies and the temperature was 49°.



Daylight is coming later with each day. 




Low cloud cover over Porcupine Ridge, elevation 2816.0.




The Goddard Shelter.




Glastonbury Mountain lookout tower.




Meet “Little Foot” and “Zacksquatch” who are from North Carolina. They left Katahdin at the end of June. Happy Trails!







Trail conditions have been horrendous the past few days. Mud and water is everywhere. I slipped and fell around 12:15 pm breaking another trekking pole. I “jury rigged” it to finish hiking. I’m done to my last set 🥴😳. This evened the slip/fall count… but Turtle Power gave me the lead back falling himself later in the day 😬🤭!




The footbridge over Black Brook was a welcomed sight ending the hike for the day.


Till next time... Happy Hiking  🥾 

😋  


“Acts of generosity in this wild and primitive setting…where basic amenities…are intentionally absent–are often received in a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude by hikers. These acts of generosity are referred to as “trail magic.”

                  (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)







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