Make it count: Day #113

Friday, July 3rd - Day #113 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 12.3
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1585.8/2,193 (72.31%)

Dalton, MA (1573.5) to Mark Noepel Shelter (1585.8) - tent at Mark Noepel Shelter

Total ascent - 3,379’
Total descent - 1,751

Total States Completed - 10/14

**Rain Day - Rained all afternoon and into the evening. 75-high. 58-low

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Coming to you from a “relatively dry” tent at the Mark Noepel Shelter. It’s 8pm now - it’s been raining since about 3pm today. I’m setup on a wooden tent platform. Some campsites have these. I actually prefer the ground. The platforms give you a nice, flat spot - but it’s difficult to get your rain fly setup because the tent pegs can’t be pushed into the ground (you have to find space between the wooden slats to secure the rain fly). I don’t mind the rain once I have the tent setup - but setting up while raining or just after a big rain event - no fun.

There’s a bunch of people here tonight (8+). Lots of new people. I spoke with Slow as Molasses and Bone Shoes for a little while. Because it’s been raining nonstop - I got in my tent pretty quick for the night. There’s even people sleeping in the shelter itself tonight. I haven’t seen this much since the mosquitoes and bugs have been out. Most people are in their tents or hammocks now.

I actually closed my eyes to rest before writing the blog and I ended up falling asleep over an hour. That’s unusual for me - I guess it shows how tired I am right now.

Today was a pretty relaxing day - except for the 1700’ climb this afternoon in the pouring rain. I slept in this morning and only got on trail around 10am. Nice!! I knew I was only going 12.3 miles - so I took advantage of the hotel stay. I got lucky and was able to get an Uber to take me back to the trail so I didn’t have to walk 2.2 extra miles. (I walked over 24 miles yesterday if you include my search for the mosquito net).

About 8 miles into the day - the trail passed through Cheshire, MA. I knew there was an Outfitter here. I called them asking for a mosquito net. Awesome - they have one. Even better - they told me to grab a seat by the post office and they’ll bring it to me. This was amazing! I got to rest on trail on a bench in the shade and the Outfitter brought me a new mosquito net. Often times on the AT - I’ve been amazed by the kind acts of people catering to AT thru-hikers. I gave the guy a little extra money for his troubles. Now I’m able to throw away my fish net and poncho hood (the poncho hood worked well for me this morning).

Before leaving Cheshire - I grabbed a sandwich at Dunkin Donuts and some water/Gatorade from the adjoining gas station. I sat outside on the ground and ate my lunch. This is not something that happens very often.

After lunch - the 4-mile, 1700’ climb to camp - in the pouring rain - happened. All good. I got setup quickly in the rain, cooked under my rain fly, and will be calling it an early night here in about 15 minutes.

Tomorrow is a big day. Lots of climbing (around 4,000’). I’ll climb to the peak of Mt Greylock - the highest peak in Massachusetts. I’ll also get into Vermont by the end of the day.

Wishing everybody a fun, safe 4th of July!! I’ll have my favorite female country singer welcome us to Vermont tomorrow - and it may even seem appropriate for the date on the calendar.