![]() ![]() I sensed a strong connection with my father here. It seemed like I was getting better at sensing when to ignore my inner drive to push for more miles, and just embrace places that felt right. Assuming that this was likely where my father camped in the Stark Mountains, I decided to stay. This can was in my pack for over five days.Īfter writing for a bit and reviewing maps and my father’s diary at the shelter, it was time for a decision – hike on or stay. The only downside to carrying this beer up and down the mountains is that after drinking it, you still have to pack out the empty. To this point my writing had been a little sloppy, disjointed, and incomplete, because most nights I had been arriving late and exhausted to camp. But I took out my journal, started writing, and was able to fill in the gaps in some of my journal entries. That would put me in striking distance to cross to Bamforth Ridge Shelter on the north side of Camel’s Hump tomorrow. It was early afternoon, certainly enough time to make it to Cowles Cove in time to get there and have dinner without rushing. The terrain between Birch Glen and Cowles Coves should make it a quick walk. I figured after spending some time here, I’d move on to Cowles Cove Shelter 2.9 miles closer to Camel’s Hump. His mileage suggested that, but Birch Glen just felt right. It’s also possible he might have stayed at Theron Dean Shelter which I passed yesterday on my hurried descent into App Gap. ![]() Well, Birch Glen sure fit that verbal description. He didn’t name the shelter in his journal entry for this day, just stating that it was a nice camp near the top of the Stark Mountains. The mileage didn’t exactly match his description. If my goal was to try to match up with the places he camped, his description of this stretch made that difficult to figure out. My plan for today was to stop at Birch Glen Shelter and spend some time there to look over the maps and read my father’s description of his journey again. I planned to just snack while walking to save time.Ĭould those clouds be a harbinger of things to come? So I was up early, and on the trail just after 6:00, skipping coffee and breakfast. And there were afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast. Today would be a race to get to App Gap by 2:30 to meet my prearranged shuttle to town for a needed resupply. My father nailed it in his diary, it really was one mountain after another in this Division. I was so sore and lame tonite that all I had for supper was a cup of cocoa. So far we just took our time and though the average mileage per hour is 1½, we have averaged nearly 2 miles per hour for the entire trip. I’m going to make Camel’s Hump tomorrow or die in the attempt. I am so dirty and bug bitten that you probably won’t recognize me. The packs weigh about 20 lbs each, 7 of which is bacon. The camp here is the best we have struck so far, near the top of the Stark Mountains. We passed a burned camp and an abandoned one. The little bit that was left from dinner was luke warm. ![]() We had a four-mile hike over the mountains without water. Abraham we could see the length of the state. Got first glimpse of Lake Champlain from Mt. If my boots last the rest of the trip, I’ll be lucky. ![]() Spent two hours on top of Mt Abraham for dinner and to rest our feet. Climbed one mountain after another today. Notes from 1937, Long Trail Division VIII This series chronicles a comparison of hiking experiences on the Long Trail from 19. ![]()
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