On our drive north, I read the Green Mountain Club Long Trail Guide, Hiking Vermont’s High Ridge. It divided the trail into twelve divisions. Each corresponding chapter included a profile map, descriptions of the route, and its side trails. Though the book offers a lot of information, we will not take it with us. It is too heavy. Instead we will take a corresponding map, and note points of interest on it.
What I learned from the book
- There are no poisonous snakes in Vermont (VT), but there are porcupines, mice, raccoons, squirrels, peregrine falcons, black bears, and deer. We need to take precautions against the deer tick.
- Water is abundant. It just needs filtering.
- The Long Trail is marked with a white blaze, as is the Appalachian Trail (AT), which it follows for the first 100 miles.
- After the Long Trail separates from the AT, there are more four-sided lodges than shelters. Depending of the weather, we intend to use our tent, for the most part.
- We may encounter winter conditions at higher elevations during the spring (Oh, my!)
- Spring and Fall are the mud and bug seasons (black flies and mosquitoes). To prevent erosion of “extremely muddy trails,” we may be rerouted.
- Be prepared for quickly changing weather and prevent hypothermia, which can cloud judgement, Which Dennis might say is already impaired.
- The Long Trail goes through three arctic-alpine areas. These have fragile eco-systems with indigenous plants.
As the van struggled up the Pennsylvanian hills, I envisioned climbing similar hills. If a 130 horse-powered engine found it difficult, how much so will I?
In Wilkes-Barre, we stopped for coffee. Sitting outdoors at the cafe, the panorama spans approximately five miles. I think that it would take me most of a day to hike up and down those hills. My conscientiousness is changing to hiker mode. With this perspective shift, time and distance become more relative to how long it takes me to walk x number of miles, with x amount of elevation. ( A rough calculation is to allow 30 minutes for every mile, plus 30 minutes for every 1,000 feet of ascent).
A few days later, Dennis, Aine (daughter), and I walk three miles in the Plaistow Town Forest. We spray ourselves against the mosquitoes, but I fail to put the repellent under my skirt and the pest quickly sting my thighs. (I never had to worry about mosquitoes while hiking in a skirt in Europe.) We diverted around a few muddy areas, but the forest is dry. After being cooped in the car for three days, it feels good to get moving. I plan to hike here with a full pack next week.
Sunday the temperatures plummeted from the mid 80s to the 40s. It pours like Florida rain and I am thankful for not yet having started the hike. In two weeks, I hope the weather is more stable and a lot warmer. In spite of the rain, I am looking forward to the hike.
Hiking with long or short hair
For the last month or so, I have been trying to decide if I should cut my mid-back-long hair. If I keep it long, I can put in a bun, out of my face. If I leave it loose, it can help against the bugs. If I cut it short, it would fly in the wind and be easier to wash and dry. I am still flip-flopping, but I really love my daughter’s new short do.
What have been your experiences with hiking with long hair? Please comment.
