Long Trail Trip Report

“I've finally finished proof reading my trail journal entries. I still want to write a post-script, but the trip is done and my aches are mostly healed. Instead of using up bandwidth here cutting and pasting, I'll just post the link. But also, thanks to everyone for encouragement and support. To MarkO and Henry for joining in for a stretch and being generous with his time and energy getting me resupplied.

http://www.trailjournals.com/pedxingLT/

If you see any editing work that I missed, please let me know. BTW: I didn't take a camera - so the only pics are from MarkO's report on the section he did with me.
last edited: 9/11/05 7:15:48 PM”

“http://thebackpacker.com/pictures/album/lhp19amn.php

Here's a few pictures.

My knees are still a bit sore!!”

“Thanks for the link. I'll try to look it over.

I hiked up Camels Hump this past weekeend. Very nice! The weather was great and we could see all the way to Montreal! I have to do the part of the LT north of Grand Junction. It appears the AT misses some of the best things the LT has to offer. Maybe next summer...”

“Nice photo's..will get to read the trip report after morning chores... gotta love backpacking in the summer ..less gear and clothes.. your packs looked so small compaired to mine. I have a ways to go with my pack weight.”

“Camel's Hump is great. I agree with MM's assessment. The AT in Vermont covers some nice trail, but the most rugged roughest and most spectacular parts of the LT are north of Maine Junction (North of Brandon Gap, for that matter).”

“great pics!”

“Our packs, mine and Henry's, are 50 liter/3000 cu.in. and with full load were 30# and 25#.

We had a 2.5# Tarptent that we did not use......shelters are easy.

There was also food enough, barely enough, for a three-nighter.”

“My pack was about 26 pounds with full water and food, maybe a little more after my biggest re-supply stop. This was a little heavier than my last backpacking trip, because I had to take skin creams, meds and a few other items because of damaged skin).

BTW: The personal statement isn't part of the journal, it's only available by clicking the "about" button. I'm wondering what people think of it, and if I should move it to "prep#1"

http://www.trailjournals.com/about.cfm?trailname=3490”

“MarkO's original report for thosewho missed it.

I forgot to say: Thanks for the pics link MarkO.”

“It sure was green in those mountains!!!”

“Superb trip report, pedxing. I enjoyed reading each and every entry. Congrats on finishing the Long Trail!”

“Thanks Ski - and thanks for your offers to help out in a pinch. I did carry your phone #s just in case.”

“I read some of that.

Good stuff......gotta read the rest of it eventually.”

“Hey Pedxing, I've been reading your trail journal and wanted to know if I could pick your brain for some more trail info. My cousin gave me a call the other day and we would like to do a 5 day jaunt one the northern section of the trail. Our plan is to start a Lincoln Gap and hike north from there. Based on a fairly quick glance of the map, I was thinking we would be able to make it to about Hazens Notch. Do you think that is doable? Are there campsites exist along the trail that we could use? My cousin has a trail guide (I don't yet), but based on my conversation with him, it seems the guide only lists shelter.”

“Zac... pick away. I don't have my guides anymore, I gave most of it away to a Northbounder and trashed the rest. I assume the Map you are talking about is the GMC map of the Long Trail. I found it really useful.

I'd suggest getting the End to Enders guide in addition to the trail guide your cousin has.

In the meantime, the GMC website has a list of Campsites (below the shelter list) - you'll also find links to their bookstore with maps and guides:

http://www.greenmountainclub.org/page.php?id=54

Below 2,500 feet - there is camping permitted off trail, although the rules are stricter and more confusing in the North Section. My policy was to try to make it to shelters and if I couldn't I would look for a site that seemed legal and where I wouldn't have much of an impact and set up camp well off trail.

As for going from Lincoln Gap to Hazen's Notch in 5 days - I think it's just over 100 miles and there are pretty hard miles there. I probably couldn't do it in 5 days, but - heck - folks like Cave Dog who try for LT speed records try to cut it down to barely more than 2 days, so I'd be nuts to say it can't be done. Smuggler's Notch or Vt. 15 might be more in my range - but I can't speak for you.

You might checkout www.trailforums.com and other LT trailjournals for Long Trail info. You could probably get someone to shuttle you for gas money or a small fee if you asked for info/help on shuttles.”

“When do you think you guys are going, LZ? And is that part sorta near Montpelier, driving-wise?”

“Good info. Thanks. I'll probably have more questions as we get closer to hike time (some time in June or July). Hopefully we will be able to make this trip happen.”

““When do you think you guys are going, LZ? And is that part sorta near Montpelier, driving-wise?”
lyra
10:36:17 AM
2/03/06
ignore this user

Somewhat. It looks like the closest town to Lincoln Gap is Warren about 25 miles from Montpelier (South and West).”

“Cool. Well if you need a shuttle, let me know when you're going!”

“I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

“"I don't have my guides anymore, I gave most of it away to a Northbounder and trashed the rest."

Ha ha!!

Hey Zacky!!

Those are some miles I should pick up!
Henry and I did about 36 miles from Smuggler's Notch north.

I know it's pretty rugged around Lincoln Gap, I dayhiked a little there about 15 years ago with small children.

That section would cover Camel's Hump.....nice.....and rugged.
I've been to The Hump twice, once with a three year old Linus on my shoulders for about 3/4 of the hike up.
He did much better on the hike down.”