Days 102-103: A Wonderful Zero

Day 102, 8/8/23

VT Route 9 to HOME

0 miles, mile 1,619

Today was AMAZING. I slept in, woke up in my own bed, made scrambled eggs and coffee for breakfast, and sat with Fritz on the couch most of the morning. Then I put some water in the bathtub and put my sleeping pad in it to try to find the leak. I found where it was because bubbles come up when you submerge the sleeping pad in the water. It took a bit to get the glue dot to stick that thermarest provided in their repair kit. I was hopeful this fixed it, and have a laundry basket put on it now with some books in it so it’ll be clear if it deflates at all. To my despair it did deflate. So there is either another hole, or the repair didn’t work. Unfortunately for me I am taking my 1/4 inch foam pad to sleep on until Friday. We are getting picked up again to go home so we can also bring Ethan back with us to the trail Saturday morning so he can join us hiking for the weekend! I figured Friday I will take another look at my sleeping pad. We have quite the chill week of hiking planned with every day being less than 16 miles from tomorrow through Sunday. Then we will get to NH as quick as we can and enjoy some slackpacking! I have the most supportive parents and am so thankful I live in NH.

Day 103, 8/9/23

VT Route 9 to Kid Gore Shelter

14.4 miles, mile 1,633.4

I was sad to wake up this morning knowing I had to go back to the trail after such a great day at home. We had yummy breakfast and coffee and then got on the road around 8:00 a.m. The drive to VT from NH is pretty, and we got there around 10:15 a.m. and started hiking about 15 minutes later. Instantly the trail was a mud pit and stayed that way for the 14.4 miles. Thankfully, it was such a short day that the thought of just lying in my tent was motivation enough to get through it. There was a fire tower that we climbed up to get a view! The views seem to be few and far in-between but now that we are in New England, I anticipate they will become a lot more frequent. It was super windy up there and I didn’t stay long. On the fire tower I met another person with celiac! He had just gotten diagnosed on trail and started to eat the same granola bar that poisoned me back in Virginia. I immediately let him know that wasn’t gluten free, but he had already eaten the first square. It always sucks to see that happen.

We continued on the last four muddy miles and got to camp really early at 5:30 p.m. I plan to do the same tomorrow because it seems some rain is coming through, and I would rather be in my tent than hiking when it starts to pour. I’m hoping my foam pad is enough to keep me comfy and warm tonight.