The climb out of Killington, VT, and to the top of Quimby Mountain was as difficult as any climb I can think of on the whole AT. We climbed 1,300 feet in just over a mile on a day that was so hot the sweat on my hands made it harder to grip my poles. I was more than happy to rest awhile at the shelter after that climb, so Les and I napped for about forty minutes after the rest of the group left. When we resumed hiking, the heat had died down only a little bit, but we still had some significant climbing to do before dark. A few miles before the shelter, I followed a side trail to an overlook that was essentially a small deck built on top of the roof of an old cabin. Gold Bond and Cliffhanger were already there, and we enjoyed the break from walking and the great views from our perch.
When the sweat had finally dried off our clothes, we hiked the 2.5 miles to the shelter and soaked ourselves in sweat all over again.
Because hiking in 90+ degree weather was not much fun, I got up earlier the next morning and hiked 9 miles with Gold Bond to the Cloudland Market just off the trail. I didn’t know what to expect, but they sold ice cream, sodas, jerkey, and raw meats. I stuck to the first two and ate/drank in the shade of their front porch.
We resumed walking around noon and passed through some neat forest views.
We made it as far as the West Hartford Village Store and Full Belly Deli, where we stopped for some delicious sandwiches and drinks. They even had a spot designated for hikers’ packs!
After lunch, we headed across the street to the White River, where we cooled off and watched locals jump from the bridge into the water ~25 feet below. Gold Bond had to try it out for himself.
Since the weather was so hot and the location so nice (and Antsy and Drop were both feeling especially under the weather), we decided to eat dinner at the deli and accept the offer to camp in the backyard of a couple just down the road.
The next morning was another hot day, though not as bad as the days before. Gold Bond and I hiked together again until we caught the others on the section of trail that passes through Norwich, VT. In the first mile along the road, we passed two instances of trail magic set up for hikers (a cooler of watermelon and banana bread and a plate of homemade cookies) and a water dish for hikers’ dogs. It was hard to leave Vermont, but we were excited to enter New Hampshire!
We soon learned why Hanover, NH, is considered a much-beloved, hiker-friendly town. In the first 24 hours in town, I received a free Snickers bar from the outfitter where I bought my fourth (and hopefully last) pair of shoes, a free slice of pizza from the pizza place down the road, free drinks courtesy of a couple sitting next to us at dinner, and free French toast, bread, and pastries at a bakery thanks to a nice girl that works there! We tented behind a softball field by the trail and then took a zero in town today. It was a relaxing day of eating, sleeping on the Dartmouth green, and rehydrating.
Loving New Hampshire so far!
Slower Than That Bear, But Faster Than You 