Rutland, VT (USA)

I'm so tired!!! Didn't set an alarm clock, so didn't get out of the house until 0830. After breakfast in Rutland (McDonalds) and some backtracking (trying to locate the trailhead), I started NOBO from Cold River Road near North Strewsbury (0930). Like yesterday, the weather was great and the trail conditions were Varsity-level (mud, roots, rocks, cliffs). I did feel a breeze a few times but I was mainly in the trees (out of the sun). In fact, I couldn't see where I was headed (Killington peak) until I was almost there. I encountered more hikers (NOBO and SOBO, Long Trail and Appalachian Trail) - they were all in a huge hurry ("Hi", "Hello", "Have a good hike" & done). One NOBO blew by me in the climb but made me chuckle when I realized he was wearing a kilt. Also had to marvel at the "Reagan-Bush '84" hat I noticed (on a young guy) - it's certainly a collectors item at this point (must be a story there). I ended up talking to only one hiker all day ("Trek" from Leesburg, sporting a ZZ Top beard), who told me that the Main Bubble is about a week to the south. When I reached the summit, I found out the view (and restaurant) required an even farther climb - I didn't want to do that so I turned around at the Cooper Lodge Shelter and headed back down as fast as I could. In the ascent, I wasn't impressed with my stamina or conditioning. On the descent, I nearly broke bones with slips down reverse rock scrambles. But it turned out to be a tale of two hikes: on the way up, I nearly gave up a few times and wondered if my water would last - on the way down, I felt energized and confident. Made it to the bottom at 1715 (much later than I'd planned) after nearly 16 miles (backtracks and views). Water ran out just as the car came into view. A hiker was waiting for someone to give him a ride there and I took him back to his car on VT-103. It felt good to give some trail magic! My passenger's name was Dominic, from Montreal, and he'd been hiking with his friend for several days until the latter blew out his knee (I passed him a few miles from the trailhead without realizing the situation). Dominic told me I needed to visit the Gaspe Peninsula so I could hike on the bald hills there - spectacular views, apparently. After I dropped him off, I drove into Rutland for dinner and a sundae at Friendly's: mmmm (finished at 1800)! More tomorrow - if I recover tonight... AT Today = 7.20 miles / G.T. AT = 948.06 miles