8/2/99 Tom Leanard Lean-to   Miles Today : 17.7 Miles to Katahdin : 656.1

Oh, I am officially lazy. I could have done big miles today. I could have covered a good bit of trail. Only problem was that I stopped for a break almost every mile for the first 5 miles. The morning at the camping area was great. It got quite chilly last night so I slept very well, and the sunrise turned the horizon all sorts of brilliant colors.

Our first task of the day was Race Mountain. Not much more than a bump on the ridge, it provided some of the best views in a very long time. We follow a rocky ridge on the east side with fantastic views for almost 2 miles. Now THIS is hiking. I could walk forever with views like these.

Our second challenge: Everett Mountain. While the total vertical was under 1000 ft, this was a climb. Steep, tough, blood pumping climb. And the view from the old firetower was worth it. Since today is actually under 90 degrees and not too humid, we could see for over 50 miles. The Adirondaks loomed large to the west while greylock was clearly visible to the north.

My spirits were very high as I have not been treated to these kinds of views in a long time. Soon, we were off the ridge and going through lowlands when we came upon route 7 and some great trail magic. DB needed to head into Great Barrington to the left. I wanted to head to Shea's pub with Guinness on tap and good food. DB quickly scams a ride from someone who had just dropped a hiker off while I headed to the pub. The pub was a very cozy little place adorned with local color and sports memorabilia everywhere. I ordered a Guinness and a turkey sandwich while chatting it up with the locals. While I was waiting for my food , DB shows up with Jim, the guy that gave him a ride to town. Jim bellies up to the bar with us and has a Guinness as well. Not only that, he bought the first round!

DB and I had a good time at this place, and I wish I could have stayed longer, but we still had 6 miles to hike so away we went.

As I am sure you have already imagined, drinking with more hiking yet to do isn't the best we walked. My legs felt like lead, my head large and my mind unmotivated. Still, I pushed on while. drinking ample amounts of water. Soon, I have arrived to the shelter and all was fine, so I thought. DB and I went to get water, which was quite a ways away. After we had just about finished filling up, DB noticed a dead rat floating just upstream. So we dumped everything and started all over again, joy.

We have the shelter almost all to ourselves tonight. There is just one southbounder here with us and we have been sharing stories all night. Apparently we are about to catch up with another large group of northbounders around 12 traveling mostly together.

Well, I have to hit the sack. The mosquitos are absolutely relentless tonight and I have been alternating between writing and swatting for sometime now. Looking at 21 miles tomorrow into Grove Pond Cabin which sounds like an absolutely wonderful place to stay, but that's tomorrow's journal.

-Chomp

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