Storm Chasers

I had town on my mind today, but I was not walking until 6:45AM. After completing a small climb out of the shelter, I was shot down to MA route two. At this road Cookie and I walked half a mile off trail to a Super Stop and Shop for resupply and some real tasting food. After consolidating food, eating donuts and relaxing around, we were walking north once more at 11:30AM. When we left town, it was unclear how much farther we intended to go. The climb out of the road was fairly gradual and not that difficult until just north of the Sherman Brook Campsite and the bad weather trail. In our path came a steep rock scramble leading to an underwhelming view. This is also where we met Greylock, the MA ridge runner. A little later I came upon the MA/VT border, which for NOBO's is marked by a sign declaring the start of the Long Trail. The LT and AT share the same corridor for 104 miles to Maine Junction, where the two venerable trails split. I was at the junction for the Seth Warner Shelter at 2:25PM. I deemed it was to early to stop and that I had not covered enough millage to justify stopping. Onward I went with Cookie leading the way. Then it began exploding. It first started with some distant rumblings of thunder. Then it began to lightly rain, which became heavy after a little while. Then came the pebble sized hail and powerful shocks of thunder and lightening. At this point Cookie and I were practically sprinting down the trail to get to the shelter as rapidly as possible. I rolled into the shelter at 5:00PM, physically exhausted. I had not hiked that fast in a very long while.Tomorrow I shall walk 18 miles. Steady feet don't fail me now. Good night, and good luck. Kirby

Ga>ME 2008