I spent 5/31 - 6/18 hiking between Kay Wood Shelter (Dalton MA) to Manchester Center VT and back. I went 14 miles the first day, and mostly 10 or under the other days, except for one long day between Goddard Shelter and Congdon Shelter via the West Ridge Trail, and another long day from Stratton Pond Shelter to Manchester Center and back to William Douglas Shelter.
I fetched water at William Douglas Shelter, treated it with Aquamira, and drank it. The next morning I used the two-walled "privy" with no roof, and found it full of water. It is uphill from the water source. From what I hear, Aquamira solves problems with bacteria, but not viruses. I paid the price at Stratton Pond Shelter, where I used the privy 3 times, but should have used it a fourth time the following morning. I thought it was safe to pass gas, but got more than I bargained for. I took a zero at Seth Warner Shelter and did laundry in a couple of one gallon plastic bags, a fifth of a mile from the water source.
I avoided crossing Stratton Mountain a second time by taking the Stratton Pond Trail. That cut out 4 miles and was flat as a pancake, at least until I climbed USFS 71 and the AT up to Congdon Shelter.
On the northbound leg, I resupplied in Williamstown at Stop & Shop, since the Price Chopper in North Adams is closed. I bought some refrigerated spring water at the general store in Cheshire.
I took a shortcut into Manchester Center by continuing on Old Rootville Road instead of taking the right on the AT/LT at Prospect Rock. I carried about nine days of food out of Manchester Center, and did not resupply until I returned to Dalton, where I ate a box of raisin bran with whole milk at Market 32 (Price Chopper). I took the BRTA 1 bus from North Adams to Pittsfield so I did not have to go over Mount Greylock twice.
I did laundry in Manchester Center and Pittsfield, and on the trail at the Melville Nauheim and Seth Warner shelters.
I saw plenty of mud and flies in Vermont. I used full-length pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sometimes a bug net around my head. The mosquitos were bothersome at Kay Wood Shelter, so I set up my tarp and bug tent.
I have some miles left to do between Tyringham and Kay Wood Shelter in Massachusetts, but other than that I have now seen the AT between Springer and Prospect Rock near Manchester Center.
I fetched water at William Douglas Shelter, treated it with Aquamira, and drank it. The next morning I used the two-walled "privy" with no roof, and found it full of water. It is uphill from the water source. From what I hear, Aquamira solves problems with bacteria, but not viruses. I paid the price at Stratton Pond Shelter, where I used the privy 3 times, but should have used it a fourth time the following morning. I thought it was safe to pass gas, but got more than I bargained for. I took a zero at Seth Warner Shelter and did laundry in a couple of one gallon plastic bags, a fifth of a mile from the water source.
I avoided crossing Stratton Mountain a second time by taking the Stratton Pond Trail. That cut out 4 miles and was flat as a pancake, at least until I climbed USFS 71 and the AT up to Congdon Shelter.
On the northbound leg, I resupplied in Williamstown at Stop & Shop, since the Price Chopper in North Adams is closed. I bought some refrigerated spring water at the general store in Cheshire.
I took a shortcut into Manchester Center by continuing on Old Rootville Road instead of taking the right on the AT/LT at Prospect Rock. I carried about nine days of food out of Manchester Center, and did not resupply until I returned to Dalton, where I ate a box of raisin bran with whole milk at Market 32 (Price Chopper). I took the BRTA 1 bus from North Adams to Pittsfield so I did not have to go over Mount Greylock twice.
I did laundry in Manchester Center and Pittsfield, and on the trail at the Melville Nauheim and Seth Warner shelters.
I saw plenty of mud and flies in Vermont. I used full-length pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sometimes a bug net around my head. The mosquitos were bothersome at Kay Wood Shelter, so I set up my tarp and bug tent.
I have some miles left to do between Tyringham and Kay Wood Shelter in Massachusetts, but other than that I have now seen the AT between Springer and Prospect Rock near Manchester Center.
I am human and I need to be loved - just like everybody else does