AT from Kent, CT to Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Part 2: FT Montgomery, NY to Vernon, NJ
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Day 9, 05/10/2003- I cheated and lost. Thought that I would make up
miles today by taking side trails around Bear Mountain, NY and directly to
Lake Tioratti, NY. It almost worked. I picked up 5 miles by doing this.
However, the rest of the trail was all rocky and crappy ups and downs. I
ended up camping a half mile before the Fingerboard Shelter. I'm bummed!
Day 10, 05/11/2003- Worst day yet. Had to endure 'The Lemon Squeezer' and 'Agony's Grind' today. Because of these (see pictures), more tough 'ups' and rain, I only did 7 miles today. Have to do 7 tomorrow, 12.5 the next and 6.2 the next so that I can stay in the Appalachian Motel in Vernon, NJ, get my next mail drop and get cleaned up. Day 11, 05/12/2003- Decent day. Did 8 miles. Had lunch at Bentley's Deli, passed 3 section hikers, 2 day hikers and am now staying at Wildcat Shelter with 'The Kantishna Bush Pilot', 'Red Baron' and his dog 'Coffee'. Kantisna Bush Pilot was a wealth of information. He has hiked the AT as well as sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. He is 71 and has hiked with Earl Shaffer and Ed Garvey. He gave me lots of advice and some shortcuts for the upcoming trail that I have left. Day 12, 05/13/2003- Good start, good finish. The middle part of today was lousy! Lots of 'boulder flow'. Did 12 good miles and made it to Wawaywanda Shelter. Am staying there with section hiker 'Fantasy Feet' and thru-hikers 'Magic' and 'Zen Monkey'. Day 13, 05/14/2003- Good day. Did 5.3 miles on the trail, then 1.8 miles along NJ94 to the Appalachian Motel, then another mile along NJ94 to Vernon, NJ to pick up my mail drop and get something to eat. 53 miles to do in the next 4 days! |
Bear MTN from West MTN, NY.
By Mike Calabrese
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