Miles: 17; Elevation gained: 1,900

Day 3 we fell 5 miles short of our goal, owing to withdrawals made by the energy gods the day before. In our defense, Goddard was a pristine shelter, clean and new and with a big deck to cook on. Plus the sun was out and we still had the summit of Glastenbury to get over. We were beat, and called it quits. We tried the solar charger but it needs direct sunlight and progresses pretty slowly. The idea of strapping  it to the top of Cliff’s pack so it could charge while we walked was a silly dream: we are under forest canopy 95% of the time so even sunny days don’t help. We had chicken and mashed potatoes. That’s Cliff with freeze dried chicken breasts. They look like about what you’d figure, no?

We get resupplied on Sat. More than enough food as it turns out, but not crazy more so looks like we guessed about right. Fascinating blog material I know!

Day 4:  I am writing in the shelter the night of, so getting caught up. We had originally planned only 5 miles today, so falling short yday meant we had about 9 miles today.

It was our first rain day – started about 11:00 and kept up a steady downpour till 5. Pack covers seemed to help – all our stuff is dry – though they have a spotty reputation. We of course got wet. It doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing- if you hike for hours in rainy woods you will not be dry at day’s end. And the mud is endless. There are some spots that could have taken the House of Usher and more. Sometimes there are rocks poking out and you can ballet yourself across those using your trek poles for balance. Would be no problem at all w/o 40 lbs on your back of course.

The Freedom Step – one guy asked if we knew the concept. The idea is, when you come to your 100th mud pit of the day, you say the hell with it and step right in the middle of it – feel the cold, black water and partially decomposed pine needles seep over the top of your boot and saturate your sock – and your FREE to keep doing so for the rest of the day.

When we got to this shelter (Story Spring) there were maybe 7-8 thru-hikers waiting the rain out. Hand rolled cigs again. This time a Kentucky dude whose goal it is to hike every long distance trail in N America (really there are three biggies: the AT, the PCT, and youngest one, the Continental Divide Trail. You are a “triple crowner” if you do all 3) No idea what he does for money as he seems to have been doing this for years. Anyway, we sat here packed in like soggy, smelly sardines until the downpour eased a bit and they all trudged off, some of them wearing Crocs cuz they heard it’s nothing but mud for several miles. I’d turn my ankle in 50 yards. I took a pic of everyone’s muddy legs waiting at the shelter.

Now there’s a big crowd outside at the picnic table. They’re all Nobos and they’re ranking on Sobos. One excerpt: “from GA to ME they say we hike, like, 32 Everests. So they’re hiking, like, DOWN 32 Everests. It’s fucking cheating!”

Both Cliff and I fell today – slipped on wet roots. Got muddy is all. Gonna happen a lot so good to get the first ones out of the way ( the Freedom Fall?).

Stratton Mountain tmw – gonna try to push beyond that, making it 16 for the day. And it will rain again. Gettin’ real!