9/12/08 Isles of Shoals

Jenifer and I went out to the Isles of Shoals for the day.

We got on the boat at 7am and rode into the sunrise to the Isles.

We went out to letterbox and we got most of them on Star Island.

Then we took a row boat over to Smuttynose and got one more letterboxes.

After returning to Star, we explored the island.

Then we shared our first Lime Rickey and it was great.

We relaxed on the porch of the Oceanic Hotel while waiting for the boat.

From the porch, I could see Mt. Agamenticus and Monadnock.

The boat ride back was fun.

It was an excellent day out at the Isles of Shoals.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567451546ieTqqw

KTC ride 9/5/08

On Sunday morning, I did my usual ride to Kittery Traffic Circle.

When I went by the Vivian Hussey school, I noticed a bike sign with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction. Also there were many Poland Spring water bottles near the sign. (?)

I had no problems making it to KTC but on the way back, I experienced a head wind.

When I got back onto Rt. 4, I noticed Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival flags on the light poles.

When I got close to the junction with the Agamenicus Rd., I saw a police car with its lights flashing. Then I saw someone with an orange flag directing bike riders.

I stopped and asked the policemen what was going on. They told me it was the Pumpkinman Triathlon. When I left them, I joined a rider.

We chatted a bit and then we turned onto Blackberry Hill Rd.

While riding, I passed him. I looked back before taking a left on B H Rd. and he was way behind me.

I continued awhile and I saw another bike rider and I caught up to him. We talked a bit and then in front of the Hussey school, there were people giving away water, banana's, and sports gel.

I grabbed a sports gel and took a right onto Berwick Rd.

I was still riding with another bike rider but he took a right where I went straight to go home.

At that junction, there was a man flagging traffic. I stopped and asked him if he had any info on the triathlon. He said no.

I tried to clip into my pedal while going uphill and I fell down. On the uphill, I couldn't get started so I had to walk my bike up the hill.

Once at the top, I was able to get back on my bike for the short trip back home.

It was an excellent ride and I got psyched riding with others.

Next year I must compete.

Check out the pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/album/567463334HEkxcl

Bike Ride to Wells Maine

Early this morning I took a bike ride to Wells Maine. Several days ago I drove the route to see how far it was. I also checked out the route to see if it was safe to ride.

This ride is a good workout. It has many long inclines and descents.

When I got to the Wells Maine sign, I took a break.

By the sign, there were several wild blueberries, and of course, I ate them.

This was a 20 mile round trip and it was fun.

For the two picture slide show, go to:

http://community.webshots.com/slideshow/566106242wFrcne

8/31/08 Love Creek Mountain Bike Ride

I started off early this morning and rode to Love Creek Road.

On the way down LC, I saw a trail on the left before the trail I usually take so I tried it. This trail was in bad shape due to ATV's so I turned around.

Once back on Love Creek, I headed down a little ways and took a left onto the Trail.

I still had a problem going over a culvert on the trail. I almost made it but when I got to the other side, I hit a downed log, plus this section of the trail goes uphill.

I took a right when I got to the T Junction.

This section has several downed trees and several huge mud puddles on the trail. The downed trees have trails around them, so do the mud puddles.

Soon I came to another T Junction. The trail in front of me was marked with a "W" and the trail to the right was marked with an orange sign with a black arrow with letters N.E.T.R.A on it.

Following the NETRA trail, I soon came to a field.

I could see a road off in the distance and I thought it was Love Creek.

I rode to the road and found out it was Wentworth Rd.

Wentworth Road goes to Rt. 9 but I didn't want to go that way so I headed back through the field to the NETRA trail.

I stopped at the beginning of the trail and read the sign. It said that there would be a motorcycle race there in a couple of weeks.

I headed back to the T Junction and took a left to head back to Love Creek.

Again I almost made it over the culvert but I was in second gear and that was too low for climbing up the trail.

When I got close to the road, I thought I saw a deer. I found out it was a dog. It looked like a pit bull. I waited a few minutes to see if he would move but it didn't. I tried to back up but then he saw me.

He started to bark. I tried yelling at him but that didn't work.

He kept barking and he started to head towards me.

I turned my bike around and headed back to the field.

I made it back to the field with no problems.

So I had to take Wentworth Road to Rt. 9. If I took Wentworth Rd. the other way, I would be back on Love Creek.

Rt. 9 has a shoulder but it's not the best road to ride on.

I made it back safely home.

I can't wait to go again.

Check out the slide show at:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/slideshow/566062376EPvCJn;jsessionid=abc0HVUjF6IpceJMr6zWr

My Trek is fixed.

I brought my mountain bike to Tri-City Bikes and Mark told me that the freewheel was broke. He didn't have one in stock but he ordered it. The next day I got a call and the Trek was fixed.

Today, I did my usual mountain bike route (Berwick Rd., Blackberry Hill Rd., to Love Creek Rd.

When I was going down Love Creek Rd., there was a tractor going down, and it took up most of the road. While he was going through a puddle, I went to his left and said "Hello". He was surprised to see me but he did say hi.

I took a left onto a dirt trail. This is the second time I was unable to ride over a culvert that acts like a stream, too rocky.

Once I got past that, I continued a ways to the T intersection.

I took a left and rode a ways until there was a huge mud puddle, with many motorcycle tracks through it. I didn't think I could make it so I turned back.

At the intersection, I continued straight.

There were two trees blocking the trail but there were two side trails around them. After I went past the second one, there was a 100 foot long mud puddle. It looked deep so I turned around. I did see a small trail that may have gone around it but I headed back.

I got back to that culvert and I couldn't ride through it.

Heading back, there are some sections on Love Creek Rd. that has a really soft sand and the front and back wheels slips on it, but they are fun going through.

This years garlic.

On 8/4/08, I harvested our garlic. I planted 54 cloves and harvested 53 heads. I planted this years garlic on 9/3/07. When it starts to get cold, I put leaves in the garlic bed, that measures 15'x4'. The garlic overwinters in the bed and in the spring, I take off the leaves.

The garlic grew fast. When the tops start to turn brown, it's time to harvest the garlic.

This year I will be planting 90 cloves of garlic.

Maybe it's time to go into business.

My Trek is broken.

Today I went for a mountain bike ride. I ride a mile on a road, then about a mile on dirt roads.

When I got on Love Creek Rd. (Dirt) I went through some deep puddles, which was fun. Then I took a left onto a trail that I thought I've been on before. It didn't look familiar but I kept going. I was riding between tire tracks which were puddles. I slipped and my left foot went into the mud past my ankle. With a wet foot, I turned around and headed back to Love Creek Rd.

Once back to the road, I took off my left sneaker and got the debri out. I took a left and went to another trail on the left. This is the one that I've been on before.

Soon on the trail there is a small stream crossing. I got close to it but it was too rocky so I stayed on the bike but walked through it.

I continued on the trail further than before. Soon I came to a T in the trail so I thought it would be a good time to turn back. I'll explore it later.

So when I headed back, I went through those big mud puddles again, still fun.

I was about half way down Blackberry Hill Rd. when my chain was making noise while I was coasting. So I kept peddling.

When I started to pick up speed going down a hill, I could not peddle. I looked at it at the bottom of the hill and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. I would peddle forward, and it just went around in circles, not catching the gears.

So I had to walk 1/2 mile home, and of course, the last part is a hill.

I looked at my mountain bike and I still couldn't figure out what was wrong.

I'll have to bring it to Tri City Bike's and see what's wrong.

Stark's Nest hike on 8/9/08

Name of mountain(s): Stark’s Nest, Green Mountains, Vermont Name of trail(s): Long Trail (LT)
Hikers name: Farmer Bob and Gargoyle Girl (Jenifer)
Hike date(s): 8/9/08 Weather and trail conditions: Cloudy and windy to start. It rained when we were half way up. Partly cloudy on summit.
Total miles hiked: 5 Trip report: We left our house around 6 last night and drove to Waitsfield Vermont to the trailhead of the LT on Rt.17.
We got to the trailhead around 10:30pm and set up our sleeping bags in the back of our Vue. This was our camp.
We didn’t sleep to well.
We got up around 6am and ate breakfast. I brought my stove but I forgot the coffee (yes we were roughing it).
We geared up and were on the trail by 7am.
The trail starts out steep. There were many large mud puddles and a lot of running water on the trail.
Soon the trail had Mad River Glen Snowshoe signs next to the blazes.
The boulders on the trail started to get bigger with many tree roots on them, and very slippery. Soon we came to a ladder that made a steep climb much easier.
We came to a clearing and saw a chair lift. We thought this was Stark’s Nest. We checked out the ski map sign and found out this wasn’t Stark’s Nest, so we headed back to the LT.
The trail started to get steep again. There were several long ascents of slippery boulders.
We reached Dean’s Cave Bypass and a toilet for the Theron Dean Shelter. We took a short break and continued up.
There was another ladder to go up and some more huge boulders.
The last section before Stark’s Nest was small ups and downs until we saw part of a roof. We were at Stark’s Nest.
We took out the clue sheet for the Merry Pranksters Mad River Glen-Ski it if you can letterbox.
We followed the clues and found the box. First finders! Thanks for the patch.
After stamping the stamp and log book, we checked out the single chairlift and the views from the deck. Then I re-hide the Pranksters box.
We took a lunch break and hung out for a while.
As we were getting ready to leave, a dark cloud rolled in. We put on our rain jackets and headed down.
The hike back was slippery but we had no problems.
About halfway down we took a break and took off our rain jackets.
We past by many weekend warriors with their children hiking up the LT with little gear.
When we got back to the parking lot, it was full. People with camera’s, people on bikes, people making out on the guardrail, and people getting ready to hike on the LT.
We did plan on going over the Mt. Ellen after Stark’s Nest but we were pretty beat from the lack of sleep the night before.
Stark’s Nest was a pretty tough climb for a 3000’ peak.
I’ll never underestimate a non-4k in Vermont again.

Pictures at:
http://community.webshots.com/album/565292879OyeEBw

Killington Peak on 7/27/08

Name of mountain(s): Killington Name of trail(s): Bucklin, LT/AT, Killington Spur
Hikers name: Farmer Bob & Jenifer
Hike date(s): 7/27/08 Weather and trail conditions: Partly cloudy, 60’s. Several huge mud puddles on Bucklin Tr.
Total miles hiked: 7 Trip report: Jenifer and myself woke up early for the 3 hour ride to Killington Vermont. We geared up and were on the trail by 7:23am.
The first half of the Bucklin trail was pretty flat. As we were walking towards the sun, I kept walking through spider webs across the narrow trail. It got so bad I had to raise my LEKI poles in front of me as I walked so I could knock down the spider webs before walking through them. Once there was a spider in the middle of the trail and I had to try and skirt around him, but it didn’t work.
Soon we got to a right hand turn and the trail started to get steep.
As we were heading up, it became foggy. We stopped and took a break and we were in an area where all the pine trees had old mans beard on them and it was blowing in the breeze. Seeing it in the fog was cool.
Soon we were at Cooper’s Lodge. We took a short break and checked it out.
From the lodge, there were several trails to choose from. I checked the map I copied out of Hiking Vermont (outdated) and I figured that Killington was SE from the lodge. As yes, there was a trail heading southeast. We past the “Cooper Pooper” and ended up on Killington, but not the summit.
We hung out here for a little while, and then headed back to the lodge.
We took the other trail then found the blue blazed trail to the summit.
The last 2/10ths to the summit was the hardest two tenths we have done in a while.
As we headed up, a radio tower broke out of the fog.
When we got to the top, there was no view.
As we were eating lunch, the clouds broke for a minute and we could see a cloud over Little Killington and a cloud over Pico.
We learned of the café on Killington so we had to check it out. I was going to get a hot dog but not for $4.
While we were there, the clouds cleared and we had a great view of Pico. Also when we went back up to the summit, most the clouds were gone and we had views, but there were still clouds on the horizon.
The hike down the steep section went slow but we had no problems.
The rest of the hike down went pretty fast.
Soon we were back on the road heading home.

To check out our pictures, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/564662385IxLucD

A Ride to KTC.

I left my house in Berwick Maine this morning and rode to the Kittery Traffic Circle. It’s a 33-mile ride that goes through South Berwick and Eliot to Kittery.
In the beginning of the ride, on Berwick road, I go down a long hill. I went 36mph down the hill, my fastest yet. Then I take a left onto Blackberry Hill Rd. This road has several long ups & downs until I take a right onto Rt. 4. There’s one last hill before I get to Rt. 236.
Rt. 236 ends at the Kittery Traffic Circle. It’s very long and flat, with several small hills.
Just before the circle, I start to sprint.
I go around the KTC hitting 20mph. Once out of the Circle, I head back.
Once I get past the on ramps to Rt. 95 and Rt. 1, I take a break.
While still riding, I ate a Trail Mix bar and drank Gatorade.
The trip back is harder. Most of 236 has a subtle incline. Once off of Rt. 236, I have to go up the several big hills I went down earlier.
The hardest hill is on Berwick road, just before I get home. It’s a long incline and gets steeper at the end.
When I’m at the top, I coast down to my driveway, which is another hill.
This ride took me just under 2 hours and I did it 15 minutes faster than a few weeks ago.
The ride to KTC is a new part of my training. On Saturday mornings, I ride a 16-mile ride on my road bike, and then in the afternoon I do a 10-mile mountain bike ride, half on the road and half on a trail.
I’m hoping to join some of my friends and does a Century ride in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The 100-mile ride starts and ends at Lincoln Woods off of the Kancamagus Highway.

7/14/08 Dorset/Pico hike

Name of mountain(s): 3770’Dorset/3957’Pico

Name of trail(s): Unsigned, unblazed. Sherburne Pass.
Hike date(s): 7/14/08 Weather and trail conditions: Overcast, sunny, overcast.
Total miles hiked: 12.6 Trip report: It rained all night. I didn’t get much sleep, if any.
Around 1:30am, I started packing up Base Camp. I took my time and I was back to the truck by 3am. I tried to sleep but that didn’t happen.
At 3:45am, I ate a Trail Mix bar and Ibuprofen and was on my way to Dorset, Vermont.
I found it with no problems.
I was able to go up the road further with my truck.
I parked in a clearing on the right around 4:30am.
I dropped the tailgate of my truck and cooked breakfast. I cleaned up, geared up, and was on the trail by 5:30am.
The trail starts out as a gravel road, then turns into a grass road. Soon I was in the woods.
I crossed a small stream then the trail was eroded. The trail looked more like a dried up stream.
Soon I passed a cabin on the left and the trail got steep.
After a long, slippery ascent, the trail leveled off with ferns on both sides.
I reached a T in the trail and took a right.
This is where my memory slips.
Heading up the trail, I took a right at either the first cairn or the second cairn.
Anyway, the right hand turn I took was an overgrown, steep, slippery trail up to South Dorset.
After reaching the summit, I headed back down to the (snowmobile) trail.
Here at the junction, there was a sign to N. Dorset, and also a new pile of moose dropping. There was also a doorknob on the tree where the sign was (?).
The 3/10ths hike over to North Dorset was easy. The only problem was avoiding the moose dropping piles and big mud puddles.
I saw the summit canister and I knew I made it.
I took a short break and headed down.
The hike back was a bit slippery but went fast.
Once back to the truck, I headed over to Killington.
I parked at the Sherburne Pass trailhead.
I geared up and was off.
Once on the trail (this trail is the old Appalachian/Long Trail) my legs started to hurt.
The trail was easy going all the way to the Pico Junction where the Pico camp is.
From here it is 4/10ths to the summit, and it was a tough one for my sore legs.
I eventually got to the building covered summit.
I was cloudy and I could only see parts of Killington, and maybe Mendon off in the distance.
I took a couple handfuls of GORP and headed down.
The descent went fast.
I got back to my truck and the sun was out.
I took a short break and headed back home, which took me over 3 hours.
The original plan was to bag 6 Hundred Highest peaks in 5 days but after hiking Stratton, Equinox, and Dorset, I decided to finish my journey on Pico.
Originally, I was going to head over to hike Breadloaf Mtn. and Mt. Wilson after hiking Dorset but I wasn’t up to the 15.6 mile round trip. Maybe next time.

67 of 100

To check out the photos from this hike, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/564119226ZWmUKv

7/13/08 Stratton/Equinox hike

Name of mountain(s): 3940’Stratton/3850’Equinox Name of trail(s): AT/LT. Red Gate/Blue Summit
Hike date(s): 7/13/08 Weather and trail conditions: Sunny to start. Became cloudy near summit of Stratton. It was cloudy the rest of the day.
Total miles hiked: 14.4 Trip report: I woke up at 3am and was on my way to Vermont by 3:50am. Leaving Berwick Maine, I was on the AT/LT by 7:50am.
With all the gear I needed, my pack weighed 47lb. It took a little while getting use to the pack, but my new LEKI Carbonlite trekking poles helped tremendously.
After I crossed the International Paper Rd., I looked for a campsite. I found a site and it was way off the trail.
I made Base Camp and I put a few things inside the tent from my backpack so I could lighten my load.
While I was heading up the trail, the clouds rolled in. When I got to the summit, it was overcast.
Going towards the summit tower, there was a guy and girl heading up.
I dropped my pack and looked around the summit.
When they came down the tower, I went up. The higher I went up the tower, the windier it got. I had to take off my hat and clip it to a carabineer so I wouldn’t lose it.
The top of the tower is enclosed with glass. There were good views but I couldn’t see too far towards the horizon.
After a couple of minutes, I headed down, grabbed my pack, and went down to Base Camp.
When I got back to BC, it was 11:30am.
I thought to myself, I would go nuts if I spend the rest of the day inside the tent. So I decided to pack up BC and headed back to the truck.
I decided to head over to Mt. Equinox.
The ride over was awesome. There were great silhouettes of the Green Mountains and they were great.
I drove to the last parking lot on W. Union and parked next to the green gate.
I threw back on my pack and hiked the Red Gate Tr. to the Blue Summit Tr.
Just past the junction where the Red Gate Tr. turns right, I saw a sign stating that it was private property. So from here I found a campsite.
After setting up Base Camp again, I headed up the Blue Summit Tr.
The trail starts out as a wide road, very eroded. I was starting to get tired and sore.
Soon the road turned into a narrow trail, still eroded. Then after a right turn at a junction, it got really steep, with several steep drop-offs.
The trail became ruthless/relentless. It would turn right, then left, then around, then through, getting steeper as I progressed.
Towards the top, there was a blue arrow pointing to the right, so I took a right.
There were no blue blazes and it was going down hill.
I turned around and went back to the junction.
I went straight and after this point, the trail is a free for all to the summit.
When I finally got to the summit, I saw the old hotel. I went to the porch and checked out the view north. Then I went to the parking lot and looked south. Good views.
The trip back down was rough and very slippery.
I couldn’t find any water on the trail so I had to head back down to my truck to get some.
By the time I got back to BC, I was beat.
I made dinner, did the dishes, and hung my food bag.
It started to rain but the leaves on the trees were keeping me dry.
By the time I got everything into the tent, it started to downpour.
The leaves became saturated and didn’t provide cover anymore. Soon I discovered that the rain fly leaks. Great.

To check out the photo’s, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/564120099tdggkQ

On a bike ride.

7/3/08 Parker Mtn. backpack

After coming home from work, I grabbed my backpack and headed to Parker Mountain, Strafford, NH. Shortly after starting up the Carter Smith Tr., I started to look for a camp site. Halfway up the steep, eroded trail, I looked to the left and saw a small clearing. I checked it out and it was too small. I continued to look around the area and I saw a perfect spot. It was about 10' from a rocky ledge with a good view.

When setting up the tent and fly, I couldn't get a few stakes in. Oh well.

After the tent was up, I made dinner. I found a spot about 20' from the tent.

Just before I finished eating, it started to rain. I put on my rain gear and finished dinner. I cleaned up my mess, then hung my food bag.

I needed to get water so I grabbed my water filter and 2 1-liter water bottles, then I put it all in a Marker Basket bag.

I knew where there was a stream so I headed up the Carter Smith Tr., then down the Link Tr. I went all the way down the Link Tr. and didn't find the stream.

I remembered that the stream crossed the Mooers Loop Tr. so I took a left at the end of the Link Tr. When I found the stream, there was no stream, just a few puddles. The water was flowing slowly so I knew it was safe to filter.

After I filled the liter bottles, I headed back to camp. It was a pain carrying 2 1-liter bottles in a Market Basket bag. Next time I'll bring my pack.

Halfway up the Link Tr., the sun came out.

When I made it back to camp, I wanted some Pistachio's out of the food bag. When I pulled the bag over the branch, it came down and hit a boulder and cracked my coffee cup. Oh No! I will not do that again.

I got into my tent and changed. I hung my wet clothes on a few clothes lines I put inside the tent. Hopefully they will be dry by morning.

I woke up at 10:30pm and I had to use the bathroom. Shortly after getting back in the tent, I heard voices. Some guys and girls were heading down the trail, talking up a storm. After that, I could not get back to sleep.

By 12am, I decided to head down. I couldn't fall back asleep and I was all tensed up.

I broke down camp and headed down the foggy CS Tr.

I got back to my truck with no problem and headed back home.

I felt defeated.

After waking up on the couch, I tried to figure out what went wrong.

Is it too peaceful out in the mountains? Do I need daily stress to sleep?

After reviewing the evening, I realized that when I can't sleep, I should do something (multi task). I should eat if I'm hungry and read if I can't sleep.

Hopefully it will be different when I attempt 6 Hundred Highest peaks in Vermont in 5 days.

Go to: http://community.webshots.com/album/563994440ZpUknd

to see the pictures.

6/22/08 Crocker Mountain hike

Jenifer and myself sent Saturday night at Dolly Copp campground. We woke up at 4am, broke down camp, and headed to Crocker Mountain.

We were on the trail by 8am.

The trail was wet and the bog bridges with moss on them were slippery. As we were heading up, we saw many piles of moose droppings, like they had a convention or something. We saw their footprints in the mud and we also saw small tracks that may have been a young moose following its mother.

Soon it started to rain so we took a break and put on our rain gear. Shortly later, it stopped.

The first view that we had was of Stony Brook Mountain just before the AT takes a sharp right turn.

Shortly after, Jenifers ankle was bothering her and she was tired so she said that she was done but I could continue up to the summit.

For the last mile before the summit, I walked the fastest I have ever (peakbagger).

When I got near the summit, the view opened up and I had some views east. In no time, I was at the summit. I took a couple of pictures and finished my Snickers bar.

I started back down very fast so I could catch up to Jenifer. When I stopped back where the view was, I saw S. Crocker, but I couldn’t figure out the names of the two peaks that look like pyramids.

While I was gone, Jenifer had lunch and waited. After a while, she started down the trail.

About a half hour after leaving the summit, I caught up with Jenifer. I took lunch and she continued down.

The descent was slippery in some spots but we had no problems. Jenifers ankle pain started going up to her knee so she slowed down.

By the time we got back to the Vue, it started to rain.

Shortly we were on the road for the 4 hour ride home.

For pictures, go to:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563881330tkJfNI

6/20/08 Parker Mountain backpacking attempt

I loaded up my pack with all the gear that I will bring on July's AT section hike. The pack was 40 pounds. I hiked up Parker Mountain then continue on the Carter Smith Tr. to the end. I was looking for a place to camp but I could not find one. The last time I was on the Carter Smith Tr. was last winter, when I saw a bunch of good camp sites, but it's much different after all the trees get there leaves back and new plant growth.

I ended up coming home and pitching my tent in the back yard. I made dinner on my camp stove and did the dishes, like I was in the woods. I watched a movie, then I spent the night in the tent.

After a night of little sleep, I got up at 4:30am and made breakfast in my back yard.

One of the problems I may have on my section hike is that when I leave camp in the morning, the tent fly will still be wet. Hopefully mold will not start to form on the fly.

Another hobby

Also another hobby of mine is riding road bike. I ride on weekends doing between 12 and 33 miles a day. Someday I'll get a picture of me on my bike, and not in back of my truck.

I would like to do a 100 mile ride around the White Mountains but that will have to wait a while.

July's AT Section hike.

I just bought the 10th edition of the Appalachian Trail Guide for New Hampshire-Vermont. The original 132.4 mile section of the AT I'm planning to hike changed to 134.8 miles. What's a few extra miles.

I have a good idea on the gear that I'll need for the hike. I packed it all in my backpack and it was 32 lb., that was without water and food. The pack felt bulky but I can get use to that. Now I'm trying to figure out what food to bring.

I am planning on camping off the trail every night. I've made plans on where I want to camp but it will be interesting to see if the topo maps and the trail are the same.

It's still a couple months away but I can't wait.

This years hiking schedule.

Besides making plans to hike mountains from the NE67 list, I'm also planning a section hike of the AT.

I'm planning on starting in Vermont from Vt.9 near Bennington and hiking to Hanover NH. It's 132.4 miles and I hope to do it in 7 days. While I'm section hiking the Appalachian Trail, I'll will be going up Stratton Mountains, which is on the 100 Highest list. I'm starting to plan for it now and there's a ton of things I need to get ready.

Killington/Pico hike on 3/6/08.

I was planning on joining several others and hiking up Killington and Pico in Vermont on 3/6/08.

I need Killington for my NE67 list and Pico for my 100 Highest list.

Researching the hike, I found information about the "Spring Mud Season" between early March and late May.

It suggests that you avoid higher elevation trails since snow melt makes trails extremely muddy and hikers avoid the mud by walking off the trails. Plus, I didn't want to drive 3 hours to find a trail too muddy to hike.

I am planning on going up this summer with my wife Jenifer (she is also working on the NE67) and we can bag Pico and Killington.

Welcome to my blog

I have created this blog to share my hiking experiences. I have finished the Four Thousand Footer Club of the White Mountains. I am now working on the New England 67 and the Hundred Highest. I am also section hiking the AT. I have done sections in New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.