Bennington, VT (USA)

I left Danby at around 0800 (later than I'd planned).  Drove south to Manchester (via VT-7A) and picked up breakfast at McDonalds (0820).  From there, I drove south on US-7 until I reached VT-279 (bypass of Bennington).  Used that road to reach VT-9 and then (using my phone's GPS through the car display) located the back roads I needed to use to get to the AT Trailhead.   When I bought the Outback, I hoped it would provide an extra level of off road capability for my hiking weekends. Nessie may already rue the day I chose HER for the mission, though... Without worrying everyone, I’ll just say that I foolishly took my brand new car on a route that was impassable (according to some four-wheeling locals, who I met after I’d already done it). Overall, this is a boneheaded driving story, far surpassing the nail biting qualities of a legendary trek with the Twins on the McKendry Road in WV... And yet, there I was at the AT Trailhead on County Road (just west of Stamford) - the car wasn’t smoking and I didn’t see any damage. I was damn lucky - I can’t repeat this. After my heart settled back into its proper place, I started NOBO (1010). I immediately had to climb 1000 feet up a steep hill that had no name in the AT guide (I learned later that it was called Billy Lagalo Mountain). On the way, I passed an older gentleman who was out on a five day backpacking trip - he was taking his time in the climb. The temps were pleasant (50s) and it was mostly cloudy (it never rained on me, though). It was very muddy and there were countless rocks and roots - ugh. After reaching the summit, I got a little view and immediately dropped down more than 500 feet into a ravine. This repeated throughout the day - I counted 10 significant drops like this on the outbound lake (some without corresponding climbs). Essentially, the section was oriented downhill and I started dreading the backtrack, especially the climb back up to Consultation Peak... I passed 12 other hikers (mostly weekend backpackers) in the first half of my hike but only exchanged pleasantries. I didn’t see any wildlife but there appeared to be evidence of bears and beavers in the area. View highlights included a couple of pretty lakes and a panorama vista when I crossed a power-line slash. About a mile from my turnaround point (Congdon Shelter), I met a young lady who was taking a snack break - we didn’t talk much but I spoke with her when I encountered her again a bit later (in a different place, taking another snack break). She said she was Thru hiking the Long Trail. I told her that one of my friends was doing the same thing (opposite direction) and to say “hi” for me when they passed. On the way back, I “counted down” the 10 hills - it helped me overcome the depressing feeling each time I started up another steep climb. I passed a total of 6 more hikers (almost all Long Trail Thrus) on the way back. After more than 14 miles, I reached my car (1625) - I was exhausted, sore all over and drenched with sweat. Nessie was waiting for me - I’m sure she was filled with trepidation that we’d have another “adventure” but I took some smoother gravel roads down the east side of the mountain this time. Soon, I found myself in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts. I was still waiting to see if I messed something up, but my Subaru appeared to have been manufactured to anticipate Jim’s stupidity...  Bonus: I discovered that my drink hadn't spilled through all the bouncing on the bad roads!  After using MA-8 to reach Dalton, I called Jignesh (at the hotel) to tell him I was still going to stay with him for the night.  Before that, though, I stopped for a Reeses Pieces Sundae at Friendly's and soothed my nerves while I tried to plan a toned-down hiking day tomorrow.  At 1815, I left Dalton and drove to Great Barrington, where I checked into the Mountain View Motel (1905).  At the hotel, I discovered that the front bumper tabs had come unseated - I pushed them back in that appeared to be the extent of the damage from my ill-advised off-road adventure...  Was very glad to have one more chance for an AT Hike - can't beat the pleasant September weather!  AT Today = 6.90 miles / G.T. AT = 1462.96 miles