Congdon Shelter to Goddard Shelter

Day 15

Monday, May 15, 2017
Congdon Shelter to Goddard Shelter
14.4 miles

Hard day today.  Left Congdon shelter about 7:30 in the rain, after pulling on wet socks and clothes from yesterday.  It was pretty cold.  We reached VT 11 at 10:30 after a steep, wet downhill. The good thing was there were stepping stones.

Immediately after crossing VT 11 there was a parking lot, a privy and a bridge across a creek. Then we began a 10.2 mile climb up to Goddard Shelter on the side of Glastenbury Mountain. Although we were constantly gaining elevation, there were many dips. It seemed that we were on high ground just long enough for our shoes to stop gushing water before we went down again and were slogging through mud and water. Once we had a pretty wide creek to cross and the water was over the stepping stones so our feet were totally under water. At least it washed the mud off our boots, but that didn't last long. 

We thought we would never reach the shelter. Every time we saw a mountain in front of us, we thought that would be it, only to be disappointed.

We saw a sign saying we were leaving the Glastenbury Forest, which seemed strange since we had not topped the mountain yet. 

At the end of the day, there was a very steep climb up. We began to see snow along the trail, and it began to sprinkle rain again.  Then we finally reached Goddard Shelter. Snow piles were in front and behind it. The wind was blowing up the hill into the shelter, and since we were wet, it was very cold.  We had hiked 14.4 miles, just a little further than yesterday, and we had started an hour earlier this morning so I was surprised that it took us 10 hours to finish today.

We hung our tarp over one side of the front of the shelter and got behind it to eat dinner.  We hung a clothesline for our wet clothes since we were (finally) the only ones in the shelter.  We got into our sleeping bags as quickly as we could.

 

North Adams (MA 2) to Congdon Shelter

Day 14

Sunday, May 14, 2017
Mother's Day
MA 2 to Congdon Shelter
14.1 miles

Before meeting our shuttle driver, Vic, at the parking area on VT 11 & 30, we stopped at Bob’s Diner, just up the road from our hotel, for a breakfast sandwich.  We had found out that everything at Bob’s is big—and we weren’t disappointed again this morning.  A big breakfast sandwich with two eggs and sausage on a bagel, with home fries and coffee.

We left our vehicle at VT 11 & 30 parking area and Vic took us down to North Adams to hike north to the vehicle. 

We are starting out with a heavy pack on this leg of the  trip, our heaviest yet due to us carrying food for 4 ½ days out.  A heavy pack  makes for a slower pace.  In spite of that, we hiked over 14 miles a day for the first two days.

It was a pretty good day today. Started out with a small section similar to Albert Mountain - extreme but short-lived. After that the day was relatively moderate. We made better time than we expected.
After 4 miles, we crossed the Massachusetts/Vermont State line.  Yahoo!  Entering our third and last state!  We were warned in the hikers’ guide that May is the muddy season in Vermont and we found out it is really true!  However,  I remember remarking in Massachusetts that if Vermont is muddier that this, I don’t think I want to go to Vermont.  Water, mud, mosquitoes and black flies abound in both states! Vermont itself is longer than Connecticut and Massachusetts together so we  have not even gone half way in our hike yet, but it is nice to be in the  third state.

Early in the day a thru-hiker named Four Seasons came up behind me quietly while we were slogging through the mud. I began to hear mud-sucking sounds that I didn't think were mine. I turned around and was eye to eye with him. I jumped sky high.

The trail is extremely wet and muddy. We finally gave up trying to keep our feet dry and just walked through it. The mud was very sticky it would almost suck your boots off your feet. I've lost two sets of trekking pole tips already.

We walked along a raging white-water creek for awhile. I can't even fathom trying to cross one like that.

We reached Congdon Shelter at 5:30--a little later than expected since we reached the half-way point in 4 hours. My feet didn't hurt much today, so we did well.

Four Seasons was at Congdon Shelter when we got there.  Another hiker named Pastor John came in right before dark. He seemed to be exhausted. He had intended to make camp earlier but couldn't find a suitable place due to all the rain and mud. He said last time he was here he crossed the creek to camp. We were in the same predicament, therefore we came on to the  shelter too.