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Astro on the AT 2019

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    • Astro wrote:

      IMScotty wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Completed to Grafton Notch today. Caught a break since rain doesn't start again until tomorrow. Drive to VT in morning and try to knock out 7 miles in afternoon and pick up the other 10 Thursday. A great reason (excuse) to spend two nights at the Inn at LongTrail. :thumbup:
      What is your Vermont section Astro?
      VT 103 to US 4. Plan Snowden Peak to US 4 today, and VT 103 to Snderderowden Peak tomorrow. Assuming I can leave car around Ski Lodge.
      Raining with thunderstorms today. So went to Calvin Coolidge Museum and historical village. Will do all 17.3 miles tomorrow.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • The climb up Killington is a slow one because the trail is so worn that the roots are 2 to 3 feet above the floor of the trail. It's like trying to step over track hurtles. The .2 side trail to the peak is like the climb up South Kinsman, maybe even steeper, but great views.
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • jimmyjam wrote:

      The climb up Killington is a slow one because the trail is so worn that the roots are 2 to 3 feet above the floor of the trail. It's like trying to step over track hurtles. The .2 side trail to the peak is like the climb up South Kinsman, maybe even steeper, but great views.
      I am wondering if it might be better (faster) to go SoBo. Planning on skipping the side trail to the peak. I have seen plenty of views the past month in NH and ME.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      Going SoBo also probably gets toughest parts of trail out of the way in case I end up having to finish in the dark.
      sobo might be the way to go. The trail between the Inn and the top of Killington was pretty good from what remember. You're still going to have to climb thru the roots. We did meet a few thru hikers who decided to do it sobo because they thought it would be easier that way. It's a pretty forest on top. That shelter on top is a rat hole, we were originally going to stay in it until we got there and then decided what's a few more miles to the Inn were we can get beers, food and showers. And more beer. In that order.
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • Day 14
      Caratunk House B&B to Pleasant Pond Mountain 8.3 miles
      Missed taking pictures on the two best things about Caratunk House B&B other than Paul (former thru hiker) who runs it, the milkshakes and breakfast. Best breakfast I have had in over 2000 miles on the AT. French Toast and the peppers (and onions?) In the potatoes are what puts it over the top. Did at least get a picture with Paul.
      Original plan was to spend night at Pleasant Pond Lean To, but do to how easy the trail was (at least for Maine), after getting water and making my supper decided to keep moving. Also it was July 4th and you really hear all the action going on at the lake/pond. I once I started climbing the mountain things got a little tougher. As you often see in Maine your ascents and descents are like a roller coaster. Made it halfway down elevation wise and about a fourth distance wise before I found a place to set up my tent. Closer to trail than I preferred, but it was starting to get dark.
      Met a Japanese woman hiking which is near because my second son is currently doing an internship with a software startup company in Tokyo.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 15
      Pleasant Pond Mountain to Moxie Bald Mountain 10.5 miles
      Big excitement this morning was getting two meet LIHikers (Paul and Kathy). Had very enjoyable conversation and took pictures. Really great people!

      Ate supper early again at the campsite near Bald Mountain Brook and then headed up to Moxie Bald Mountain. Set my tent up on the rock slab at the top. Decided not to use my footprint because with the strong winds I didn't want it flying away while I was setting up or taking down my tent. Forecast was for NO rain tonight, but lots tomorrow, so my plan was up early and get back down the mountain before it started. But after I was set up, sure enough it started to rained, which concerned me because the rain fly didn't have any stakes. But it quit raining before too long and everything thing was fine. Unfortunately the clouds hid what could have been a really nice sunrise.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 15 (cont.)
      Moxie Bald Mountain pictures in the morning.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • CoachLou wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      CoachLou wrote:

      I need Gorham to Grafton!!!
      If you are willing to cut your speed in half, I would love to do it with you next July. :)
      Ha Ha Ha!!!!!! You must have me confused with that young retired NYC cop that runs up and down the Catskills and Adirondaks.
      Maybe, but I probably hike more like that former NYC cop who had a much better career singing (Eddie Money). :D
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      Reward this morning for knocking out the 17 miles yesterday. I love the Inn at Long Trail. :thumbup:
      What? Too early for beer? You'd better stay for dinner too. I believe they have Irish music on the weekends.

      BTW, 17 miles on the Long Trail is super impressive. Looks like you have worked out all your aches and pains.
      “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
      the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


      John Greenleaf Whittier
    • IMScotty wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Reward this morning for knocking out the 17 miles yesterday. I love the Inn at Long Trail. :thumbup:
      What? Too early for beer? You'd better stay for dinner too. I believe they have Irish music on the weekends.
      BTW, 17 miles on the Long Trail is super impressive. Looks like you have worked out all your aches and pains.
      Daypack + "mostly" downhill + last day out = Opportunity. :)
      It was sorta like when AJ Hinch tells Verlander or Garrit Cole this is your last inning so don't leave anything in the tank.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      IMScotty wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Reward this morning for knocking out the 17 miles yesterday. I love the Inn at Long Trail. :thumbup:
      What? Too early for beer? You'd better stay for dinner too. I believe they have Irish music on the weekends.BTW, 17 miles on the Long Trail is super impressive. Looks like you have worked out all your aches and pains.
      Daypack + "mostly" downhill + last day out = Opportunity. :) It was sorta like when AJ Hinch tells Verlander or Garrit Cole this is your last inning so don't leave anything in the tank.
      What does Astro have in common with Rocky?

      There's Still Stuff in the Basement :)
      “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
      the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


      John Greenleaf Whittier
    • Day 16
      Moxie Bald Mountain to Horseshoe Canyon Lean To 11.0 miles
      Got up at 5am today so I could be hiking before 6am and get down the rocks of the mountain before it started raining again. Would have had some nice sunrise pictures if not so cloudy. Multiple streams/rivers to ford today. Really poured hard in the afternoon. Near dark when I got to the Lean To and possibility of more rain and more room in shelter than tent spots left, so I took the easy route tonight. Water wasn't that close, so I just waited till tomorrow morning for my Mountain House. Have been letting where the water is drive when I cook (or at least boil water) than the time of day.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 17
      Horseshoe Canyon Lean To to Monson, ME. 9.0 miles
      One more river to ford and this one was the deepest. In addition to switching to my Vivobarefeet, I pulled my shorts legs up above my pockets. I thought about taking a picture, but I figured it would be better to spare you my Daisy Duke look. Got Monson about 2pm and checked the Gorham weather and saw two days of sunshine and decided to go back and pick up Mt Madison. Unfortunately didn't take many pictures today. Will have to be sure to get some Shaw's pictures next summer.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 18
      Mt Washington to Madison Hut 5.7 miles
      With two sunny days in Gorham after grabbing a roast beef sandwich at the Monson General Store I headed back to my "base camp" of Pinkham Notch. Got to listen to Astros and Angel's game on way. This is he one where Lucroy stepped in front of Jake Marisnick at home plate leaving him no other option at that point but to plow through him. Ate another good dinner at Pinkham Notch and then drove back into town to do laundry.

      In the morning after another great breakfast, I drove my car to the Glen House and then walked across the street to catch the Mt Washington shuttle bus. By the time we got up to Mt Washington it was already after 10. Started down the connector trail and it was a lot rockier, or at least more difficult to walk than the Crawford Path on the Lake of the Clouds side. Actually little wind today of probably around 10 mph instead of previous 70mph. By the time I got to the bottom I was taking off my beanie, gloves, base layers, and jacket. Since I was by the Cog Train I hoped no one thought I was trying to moon it (which is illegal). But people who do that do not probably usually take there shoes off first.

      Was a beautiful day with lots of hikers with the locals take advantage of the weather mixed the usual AT thru hikers. With all of the rocks took a little longer than I expected. And was late for supper, but the AMC huts still take great care of you. I guess for those kind of prices they should. :)
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General

      The post was edited 2 times, last by Astro ().

    • Day 18 cont.
      Views, views, everywhere you look beautiful views! :thumbup:
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 18 cont.
      This is Ultra from Spain. I met him on Monday afternoon on Mt Jefferson. Then on Friday I would meet up with him again on Bemis Mtn in Maine. That is nearly 100 miles. He was just blowing through the Whites and some of the toughest parts of the AT.
      His trail name comes from him running ultra marathons. He complained about bugs, but I don't see how they could keep up with him. :)
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General

      The post was edited 1 time, last by Astro ().

    • max.patch wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Since I was by the Cog Train I hoped no one thought I was try to moon it (which is illegal). But people who do that do not probably usually take there shoes _ first.
      when i saw the pic of the train i was going to ask if you mooned it -- but you already answered that.
      i wonder; is that still a thing?
      I don't know, just read about it, never actually seen it from the train or the trail.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • max.patch wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Got to listen to Astros and Angel's game on way. This is he one where Lucroy stepped in front of Jake Marisnick at home plate leaving him no other option at that point but to plow through him.
      lol, you must have listened to the astro's radio team.
      i wonder how the angel's radio guys described that play. :)
      They did mention how upset Brad Ausmus was. When the Astros played them the next week (or so) in LA they threw at Marisnick's head. Automatic suspension for Ausmus as Manager, the pitcher who did it appealed his suspension.

      twitter.com/dtexanz/status/1151458817747628033
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 18 cont.
      So happy to finally make it to Madison Hut. Funny thing about today is that worst parts seemed to beginning coming down Mt Washington and then down to the hut. Supper was awesome! In addition to what you see is the soup I had already finished and the lemon poppyseed dessert. Ran out of water today so I drank nearly a pitcher of water and a couple of cups of lemonade.
      Usually with my knee I try to get a bunk on the first floor. But they sent me to a room with only the third level available. So I walked into another room and their was a second level bunk available.



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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 18 cont.
      Awesome sunset at Mt Madison! :thumbup:
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      max.patch wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Got to listen to Astros and Angel's game on way. This is he one where Lucroy stepped in front of Jake Marisnick at home plate leaving him no other option at that point but to plow through him.
      lol, you must have listened to the astro's radio team.i wonder how the angel's radio guys described that play. :)
      They did mention how upset Brad Ausmus was. When the Astros played them the next week (or so) in LA they threw at Marisnick's head. Automatic suspension for Ausmus as Manager, the pitcher who did it appealed his suspension.
      twitter.com/dtexanz/status/1151458817747628033
      Wow, nasty pitch. Uncalled for.
      “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
      the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


      John Greenleaf Whittier
    • IMScotty wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      max.patch wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Got to listen to Astros and Angel's game on way. This is he one where Lucroy stepped in front of Jake Marisnick at home plate leaving him no other option at that point but to plow through him.
      lol, you must have listened to the astro's radio team.i wonder how the angel's radio guys described that play. :)
      They did mention how upset Brad Ausmus was. When the Astros played them the next week (or so) in LA they threw at Marisnick's head. Automatic suspension for Ausmus as Manager, the pitcher who did it appealed his suspension.twitter.com/dtexanz/status/1151458817747628033
      Wow, nasty pitch. Uncalled for.
      Angel's starting pitcher was a teammate with Marlins and refused to do it. So reliever got him later in the game.
      Key is if you feel you have to hit him, don't go for the head.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro wrote:

      IMScotty wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Reward this morning for knocking out the 17 miles yesterday. I love the Inn at Long Trail. :thumbup:
      What? Too early for beer? You'd better stay for dinner too. I believe they have Irish music on the weekends.BTW, 17 miles on the Long Trail is super impressive. Looks like you have worked out all your aches and pains.
      Daypack + "mostly" downhill + last day out = Opportunity. :) It was sorta like when AJ Hinch tells Verlander or Garrit Cole this is your last inning so don't leave anything in the tank.
      We miss Justin. My husband went to the Tigers game earlier this season when JV was pitching.
    • Trillium wrote:

      Astro wrote:

      Daypack + "mostly" downhill + last day out = Opportunity. :) It was sorta like when AJ Hinch tells Verlander or Garrit Cole this is your last inning so don't leave anything in the tank.
      We miss Justin. My husband went to the Tigers game earlier this season when JV was pitching.
      I work with a Tigers fan from Flint. When we made the trade in 2017, I asked him if we were getting an ace or a washed up former star. He said confidently said an ace, and he was right. While I wish they had given the qualifying offer to Charlie Morton this past winter, at least they did lock up JV for two more years. :thumbup:
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Day 19
      Madison Hut to Pinkham Notch 7.8 miles
      After another great breakfast I started the climb up Mt Madison. Yesterday I started off with my base layers, beanie and gloves and quickly took them off. Today just the opposite, with the strong winds, I made the adjustment and stopped and quickly put them on. Held my poles in one hand, but probably would have been better off just putting them away.
      But after that the real work began. Going down nearly 3000 feet in the next 3 miles. A constant rock scramble. The worst is opposed to climbing up, your momentum is against you, so you are constantly leaning back to keep from falling over. May have started later today, but definitely by the next day I felt a pain in my back that I had never felt before. So glad I did this section on a dry day. Doing it during the rain like I was originally scheduled to would have been a nightmare. So glad I moved up to Maine for a week and came back on a nicer day.
      Once past the Osgood tent site things finally leveled off, walked over/past some nice waterfalls. By the time I got to pinkham Notch it was dark, so I filled up a water bottle and started the 2.5 mile walk to the Glen House to get my car. By the time I checked in and took a shower it was nearly 11pm. Needless to say a very very long day.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Due to the strong winds on Mt Madison I couldn't wear my hat. Also being above treeline I got a lot of sun.
      The first picture was taken while hiking, the second the next day shows I got a lot of sun on my neck and ears too.
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      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Astro,

      A sunny day on Mt. Madison is a rare and wonderful thing. Worth the burn :)

      The views north from Mount Madison and Adams are among my favorites in the Whites. Down below in Randolph, NH I use to have a summer home. I miss it dearly.
      “Of all sad words of tongue or pen,
      the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”


      John Greenleaf Whittier