Mad Tom Notch
6/5/2001 ~ Mad Tom Notch (12 miles hiked)
(This section was done SOBO. These are in NOBO order for consistency)
Not bad mileage for a start after 12pm.
I was worried about the bugs, so of course it's something else. Mud. Thick, black, sticky, boot-sucking mud that covers about 50% of the trail. I was very lucky that I never sunk in to the ankle, and I've never been so happy to see rocks and roots on the trail as I was today.
I saw a woodpecker today. The only reason I saw it at all was because it was so vocal that I looked around until I found the source of the noise. I saw many red efts, and I even saw one swimming. Where? On the trail, of course. At least water is easy to come by. It seems like I cross a "seasonal" stream every 10 minutes or so.
I always forget something, and this trip was no exception. This is the first time I've forgotten to bring any cash, ID or a credit card. I haven't so much as a penny on me. There's really no use for money out there, but I like to have something in case I need it. Also, this is going to force me to cut my trip short since I have no money to resupply. I wouldn't have made it to Great Barrington to link up to my southern mileage anyway, so I'm not mad about that part of my mistake.
I should make Bennington early Saturday. I will then have to call Steve collect and hope he's home and can come get me. God, I hope he's home, or I'm really screwed. All the towns (and phones) are at least 5 miles from the trail up here, which will suck up most of a day to make the round trip. If he's not home, I'll have to call Tino collect and get him to wire me money or something. Really though, I'll just have to wait around for Steve because he has my purse, and I'm not going back to DC without that, now am I?
Anyway...I'd rate today's hike as moderate. Peru Peak shelter was nice, but I really wanted to make some mroe miles, so I could make Stratton tomorrow. I made 4.5 between 6 and 8:30pm, including Styles and Peru Peaks, so I'm pretty happy with that. I wish I could make those miles early in the day, but I'm quite sluggish until 2pm or so. Yeah, I know. It sucks to be me, right?
I also saw more deer scat that I've ever seen in one place EVER on the trail up on Peru Peak and Styles Peak both. Weird. It was all over the trail itself too. I also saw a small garter (or ribbon) snake today at the base of a rock pile. I guess that's enough babbling for now.
