Make it count: Day # 116

Monday, July 6th - Day #116 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 14.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1628.2/2,193 (74.25%)

Bennington (1613.8) to Kid Gore Shelter (1628.2) - tent at Kid Gore Shelter

Total ascent - 3,936’
Total descent - 2,559’

Total states completed - 11/14

**No Rain. Nice weather day. Mid 70’s - high. Mid 50’s - low

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Coming to you live from the Kid Gore Shelter - in southern Vermont. I just had dinner with Slow as Molasses, Bounce, Good Will, and Bone Shoes. It’s nice having people around at night. The discussion over dinner was how everybody is pretty beat up right now. It makes me feel a lot better when I hear this from others - unprovoked. It makes me feel more normal —- how my body is being shredded out here.

Examples: Bounce is back this year for a second try at the AT. Last year - he was attempting a flip-flop. He ended up breaking his foot and tearing his MCL. He did the Whites in NH with a broken foot - but once he tore his MCL in Maine - he had to come off trail. Slow as Molasses took a nose dive yesterday and broke her glasses - luckily no broken body parts. Good Will was chugging Motrin - indicating his body felt like someone beat him. Bone Shoes rolled in after we were almost finished eating. We said: “How goes it Bone Shoes?” He just said: “I’m still living. 2 major climbs today - I just need to go to bed”

So - the reason I bring up these stories is that everybody is struggling out here. I feel bad sometimes when I write down my pains, fears, etc. But - I’ve learned that it’s normal to feel this way. And - the people that act like they are not struggling - they’re just putting on an act. The AT is no joke - it very well may be the most physically demanding thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Today was actually a pretty good day for me. We got the earliest shuttle back to the trail at 8:15am. Slow as Molasses and myself took the first shuttle. We ended up hiking the whole day together. She is a bit slower than me - so I was able to go at a much more relaxed pace today. (Only issue here - we were out there 9+ hours for 14.4 miles). Mid way through the hike - we climbed a fire tower which led to spectacular views. A challenging 4,000’ ascent day - but nice conversation along the way. She is a college professor at Framingham State College - in food and nutrition. I’m not sure her age - but I’d put her between 50-65. She’s an interesting person - undergraduate degree in Mathematics, went to culinary school, and then went back for a PHD in food/nutrition. We have a similar schedule to Hanover - we’ll see if we stay together.

Looks like no cell signal tonight - so hopefully I’ll be posting this atop some mountain tomorrow. Goodnight from the rugged state of Vermont!