Make it count: Day #106

Friday, June 26 - Day #106 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 18.9
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1480.3/2,193 (67.50%)

Ten Mile River Shelter (1461.4) to Silver Hill Campsite (1480.3) - camp at Silver Hill Campsite

Total ascent - 4,104’
Total descent - 3,563’

Total States Completed - 9/14

**Rain Day - Had an afternoon shower. Clear the rest of the day. High - 82. Low - 62.

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Already about 1/2 way through the state of Connecticut. A solid 18.9 mile hike today - with 4,104’ vertical ascent. The vertical numbers have steadily been climbing - this will be good training once I get into NH.

I started the day with a 1.3 mile walk to a country store. I resupplied there for an additional 3 days into Great Barrington. The store only opened at 7am - so I arrived right at the opening. The rest of the crew (the 9 folks from yesterday) showed up a little after me. We all had some breakfast on the picnic tables outside the store. The big group was slack packing today. They asked me if I wanted to join - but I decided to just carry my pack. I went on trail a little early - because I was sure they would catch me. It was crazy - because only Dirty Jobs caught up to me today. Him and I ended up walking the last 5 miles together. He’s a really cool guy.

About a 1/2 mile from camp (down the hill - the camp required a steep 1/2 mile climb) - the group had to wait to get their packs from the shuttle driver. Dirty Jobs stayed down the hill and I walked up to camp and setup. 2 hours went by and nobody showed. I thought they all decided to go into town. Then - I could here Punchline and Chickweed coming up the hill. They hollered out for me when entering camp. Dirty Jobs knocks on my tent and hands me a beer. While they were waiting on their packs - they had a delivery of pizza and beers. These guys are solid!!

Tomorrow- all these guys are going into Fall Village - about 14 miles away. I’m probably going to go to the next shelter about 18-1/2 miles away. They are planning on being in Great Barrington on Monday (like me) - so I’ll see what’s in store down the road. I really like the fact their group is larger - you get a chance to talk to a bunch of different people each day. I think if you’re hiking with 1 person - your differences can be exposed easier and make it more difficult to always get along. I really like the respect these guys show each other. If you recall - I mentioned this about Punchline and his group when I met them several weeks ago. It’s so tough to find the perfect connection on the AT (and in life for that matter - maybe reason I’m still single). These guys are fun, personable, and I’m really comfortable around them. But - they leave camp later than me and hike lesser miles. Caruso and Sherpa Mike had similar miles in mind and wanted to leave early - but the personal connection was never strong there. I could hang with them - but they never would have yelled out my name once into camp and brought me a beer. I barely know this group and they have welcomed me in. But - I’m taking my time here

Body and gear check
I’ve been feeling better the past few days - but still pretty tired. I could have almost fell asleep while walking the last 3 miles (because it was on a flat road). Besides my shoulder - the body is hanging tough. My heel pain has almost fully gone away. It’s unbelievable the difference this makes later in the day. My shoulder is still an issue - but I’m dealing with it OK.

Both my CNoc bags have developed a pin hole in them over the past week. I can’t store any water in these bags to carry with me on my pack anymore - because they’ll leak dry while I’m hiking. Today - I decided to purchase 2 additional 1-liter smart water bottles. I collected the water in the CNoc bags and then filtered it directly into the 3 - 1-liter bottles I have. Once I get into Great Barrington - I’m going to search for the 1.5 or 2.0 liter bottles. I’d like at least 4L carrying capacity. So - moving forward - I’ll collect in the CNoc bags - filter immediately - then carry the smart water bottles in my pack. I think this system is workable.

Another big day tomorrow with over 4,000’ vertical. Here’s to being safe and healthy out there. Have a great night!