Journal Entries

Dirty girl gaiters

So fun to be with my mom @karentogo

Camp at Congdon Shelter

Good morning sleepy. Oh I do love my sleep. Was chilly last night so I slept with my beanie and sleeping bag hoodie. Ah...

Congdon Shelter AT thru-hikers End of first day. Weather overcast. Miles: about 11.5 Start: 11:30am End: 6:00pm

Great hiking, cool conditions, great trail and good company.

When my family thru-hiked the AT in 2014 I completed about 1600 miles, to southern Vermont, when I had to leave the trail because of a stress fracture in my foot. It was a very difficult time for our family. I am back on that same stretch of trail where I struggled so much with pain and loss. They are hard memories but they are healed and I am happy to be here.

@hammerhead & @karentogo crossing Broad Brook Trail. We didn’t start at the exact southern terminus of the trail, because that would mean hiking and extra few miles in Massachusetts, instead we hiked Broad Brook Trail to meet up with the AT/Long Trail.

Broad Brook Trail is aptly named as it goes back and forth, multiple times, across Broad Brook.

Back on the trail together

Meeting and reorganizing gear before taking one car south to start the trail. But first, we need to get coffee in Rutland.

All packed and ready to hike. My packweight with 5 days of food, no water, is 22.5 lbs. That includes my hiking clothes.

The pack feels great, less weight than I took on the AT, no camera or iPad.