Day 139 – Winturri Shelter to West Hartford VT

“I never said it’d be easy

It’s just a part of life that I had to go through

Oh yeah

To make it to the top of the mountain

It’s gonna be a steep climb

It’s gonna be a steep climb” – Eric Gales

Up at 6:45. Headed to the farm stand 4 miles away at VT 12. It’s a .2 mile road walk to the stand. Will pick up lunch and a beverage and possibly call Dana if there is service. Should be there by 10:15. On trail at 8:15.

Sunny, 51 going up to 74. Looks like a very nice day.

One of the tent campers had to scare off a bear in the middle of the night last night. 

Stopped at On the Edge Farm Stand at 10:30 for lunch and WiFi. They have the cleanest porta potty I have ever seen. Had a nice chat with the owner. Back on trail at 11:10.

Ascended Dana Hill immediately after leaving the farm stand. OMG very very steep! Getting my climbing legs back.

Cross a nice meadow at 12:30. This weather is spectacular! Topped off water at a stream not far past the meadow. Followed by another nasty steep climb at 2:00. Very steep!

I’ve been seeing plastic tubing running through the trees on and off all day. Finally figured it out. Maple syrup harvesting in progress!

Made yet another very steep uphill climb at 2:30. Good exercise I suppose, but slowing me down for the day. 

Stopped at the top of the last hill at a nice wooden bench and took a water break. Met 3 NOBO hikers separately plus Uno while sitting here. The 3 I had not met before, including Full Moon and Mockingbird, all surprised me by saying “I’ve heard of you”. They had all hiked with either Legend or Uno and some of the other young group I had been hiking around for the past month and a half. Almost all of them are marathon hiking as close to Hanover, NH as possible today so they can get packages at the post office tomorrow before it closes at noon. 

My new best friend, Cooper Cab, picked me up about 4:00. Stopped at a market in Woodstock for frozen dinner and snacks. Super expensive!! Got to Wise Pines hostel at 4:30. Nice place. Got showered and settled in. Will make dinner later. Started laundry and had a snack.

Joined the weekly happy hour video chat at 6:00 then talked to Dana at 7:00 while I made dinner. Took care of some household administrative tasks. Headed to the bunk room to settle in at 9:00. Cooper is picking me up at 8:30 a.m.

Technical Notes:

• Pop Tarts 370
• I’ve Cream Sandwich 250
• Dr Pepper 150
• Doritos 260
• Roast Beef Sandwich 450
• Dr Pepper 150
• Oreos 160
• Pepperoni 620
• Doritos 800
• Seltzer 600
• Burritos 680
• Hot Pockets 620
• Water 4
• Miles 17.4
• Time 8
• Elevation Gain 4011
• Calories Consumed 5500
• Calories Burned 5500