Heat, and Running Low on Food in Southern Vermont

We made it through Manchester Center, VT.

 

Kaya and I have hiked over 180 miles so far and I’m feeling good. My Achilles issues have not been giving me much trouble yet. My ankles are stiff and painful in the mornings but once we get moving they loosen up. Kaya, on the other hand, is having some foot issues. We had to buy her a new pair of hiking shoes yesterday to replace the Chacos she’s been hiking in. I’m afraid she needs rest but we’re trying to get to Rutland next Friday to catch her flight home so she insists we continue on. I’m blown away by how tough she is.

We had to deal with some heat last week and had a day in the 90s, with high humidity.

Water was scarce that day and hard to find since the streams are a bit dry. We ran out of water about three miles from town so by the time we started seeing houses I was parched and overheating. I was getting a little desperate so I decided to get water from a garden hose at a house that looked empty. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong house. A nosy neighbor came out and started verbally harassing me. When I started apologizing it seemed to upset him more and he finally told us to get the f#ck out of there immediately because he’s calling the police. When I begged and pleaded with him not to call the cops he admitted it’s too late; he already called! So we walked away flustered and guess who showed up a few minutes later? Yep, the cops. Needless to say we got the hell out of town quickly.

We also did not bring enough food on this last stretch.

Weight is an issue and we’ve been bringing way too much food so we cut back a little. Our appetites are soaring and by the third day of a six-day stretch we realized we were in trouble and would run out of food. However, as usual the trail seems to provide what you need. 

First we found some uncooked pasta someone left in a shelter. Then the next day we came to a road crossing where someone left a cooler full of trail magic and I was able to grab a jar of peanut butter, a packet of ramen and a bag of chips. 

 

This week was also the first time I got to wear my rain kilt.

We had to do laundry and all our clothes were disgusting, so after getting into town the first thing is a shower. Of course, we didn’t want to put our dirty clothes back on so in true hiker trash fashion I wore my rain kilt and rain coat to the laundromat. The looks we got were priceless!

Cheers,

Mr Maps

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

What Do You Think?