July 31st
I got all my town chores done yesterday, but still woke
up at 4:15 Am. I got on the computer in the living room of the hostel and looked
at the possibility
of getting a lighter pack. The longer I am on the trail the more I realize
I have one of the heaviest packs of those hiking a long distance. My pack
would be great for a weekend or even a week of short hikes, but it is about
2-3 pounds heavier than those being used by thru-hikers. I'll make a decision
soon.
At 7 AM the diner across the street opened and I went to have breakfast.
I enjoyed blueberry pancakes and home-style potatoes. About 8:30 I was ready
to be taken to the trail and Don (the motel owner, thru-hiker in 2002 and former
Marine) drove me to where I had previously left the trail.
I began hiking south about 9 AM and, as normal when leaving a trail town, it
was all uphill. I climbed almost 3,000 feet to go over North Crocker Mountain,
then down and up again over South Crocker Mountain. When I reached the Carabasset
River ford the water was low enough to walk across on rocks. Then another 2,000
foot climb up Sugarloaf Mountain. I decided to stay in the Sugarloaf Summit
House for the night. It is an old skier hangout converted to ski patrol training
use. It is an enclosed hexagon building with very large windows looking out
360 degrees. You can see one-sixth of the AT (over 300 miles) from the building.
Since the building is about 75 feet in diameter, I was guaranteed to have a
dry space to sleep. It could hold at least 100 hikers. There is a portable
radio and electricity so I listened to a Red Sox game. The cell phone tower
is only about 100 feet from the tower so I will be making calls this evening.
Three other hikers came to the Summit House--the young high school age couple
I have seen several times before and a northbound thru-hiker.
(D’s Note: 10.6 miles today)
Date Modified: Wed, August 3, 2005