Hitching outside of Williamstown, MA. We took turns putting our thumbs out. Canada was the winner. The driver's van smelled of drugs, but we got in anyway. We took what we could get.
A view from the bed of a truck. This hitch was outside of Manchester in Vermont.
A view from the bed of a truck as we headed back to the trailhead. This hitch was outside of Manchester in Vermont.
Looking out from a shelter in Vermont. Feeling sick in addition to the rain and cold temps encouraged us to stay in the shelter all day.
Muddy trail in Vermont...nicknamed "Vermud."
A view from the bed of a truck as we headed back to the trailhead. This hitch was outside of Manchester in Vermont.
Looking out from a shelter in Vermont. Feeling sick in addition to the rain and cold temps encouraged us to stay in the shelter all day.
Muddy trail in Vermont...nicknamed "Vermud."
In the clouds in Vermont.
Butterflies mating.
Gorgeous woods in Vermont.
We came across this interesting art in the woods...hundreds of cairns.
Hiking through foliage in Vermont. It left us wet and itchy.
A creek we passed over in Vermont.
A cow escaped from its farm and decided to hike the trail with us.
"Dirty Mess" and "Canada" make themselves comfortable. A guy offered to let us crash at his place.
Vermont pasture.
Vermont woods.
"Canada" and "Too Klean" take a dip in river after an extremely hot day of hiking.
The VT/NH border.
While passing through Hanover, we stopped by the Dartmouth dining hall to grab a bite to eat.
Mountains in NH.
Sheep on Scott & Joanies' farm.
The sheep think "Too Klean" is going to feed them.
"Canada" and "Dirty Mess" fording a river. It was the beginning of the Whites and such a *nice* welcome.
"Canada's" friends Scott & Joanie from Dartmouth. They were amazing and so kind to us. They cheered us up with their humor.
The trail down Mt. Moosiluake.
A waterfall on Mt. Moosiluake.
A warning sign in the Whites. Yes, it was extremely difficult. Even thinking about the trail there makes me anxious.
Scott and Joanie let Britt and I sleep in their fancy treehouse.
This is actually the trail in the Whites. We couldn't believe it either. It was basically a rocky waterfall.
Franconia Ridge in the Whites.
The cairns helped us stay on trail in the bad weather.
Franconia Ridge in the Whites.
Setting up for bed in the Whites. As thru-hikers we were allowed to do work-for-stays in some of the huts. This entailed working for 2 hours. In return, we were able to stay on the floor of the dining hall in the huts as well as fed the left-over food.
Mt. Washington engulfed in clouds.
A view near Mt. Washington in NH.
Sunset in the Whites. It was our only clear afternoon while we were hiking it.
Warning sign in the Whites.
A view from the Whites.
Atop of Mt. Washington in the Whites. This is the highest peak on the northern AT.
Butterflies mating.
Gorgeous woods in Vermont.
We came across this interesting art in the woods...hundreds of cairns.
Hiking through foliage in Vermont. It left us wet and itchy.
A creek we passed over in Vermont.
A cow escaped from its farm and decided to hike the trail with us.
"Dirty Mess" and "Canada" make themselves comfortable. A guy offered to let us crash at his place.
Vermont pasture.
Vermont woods.
"Canada" and "Too Klean" take a dip in river after an extremely hot day of hiking.
The VT/NH border.
While passing through Hanover, we stopped by the Dartmouth dining hall to grab a bite to eat.
Mountains in NH.
Sheep on Scott & Joanies' farm.
The sheep think "Too Klean" is going to feed them.
"Canada" and "Dirty Mess" fording a river. It was the beginning of the Whites and such a *nice* welcome.
"Canada's" friends Scott & Joanie from Dartmouth. They were amazing and so kind to us. They cheered us up with their humor.
The trail down Mt. Moosiluake.
A waterfall on Mt. Moosiluake.
A warning sign in the Whites. Yes, it was extremely difficult. Even thinking about the trail there makes me anxious.
Scott and Joanie let Britt and I sleep in their fancy treehouse.
This is actually the trail in the Whites. We couldn't believe it either. It was basically a rocky waterfall.
Franconia Ridge in the Whites.
The cairns helped us stay on trail in the bad weather.
Franconia Ridge in the Whites.
Setting up for bed in the Whites. As thru-hikers we were allowed to do work-for-stays in some of the huts. This entailed working for 2 hours. In return, we were able to stay on the floor of the dining hall in the huts as well as fed the left-over food.
Mt. Washington engulfed in clouds.
A view near Mt. Washington in NH.
Sunset in the Whites. It was our only clear afternoon while we were hiking it.
Warning sign in the Whites.
A view from the Whites.
Atop of Mt. Washington in the Whites. This is the highest peak on the northern AT.
A warning sign in the Whites. While we were hiking these mountains, a hiker found a man who had been missing for a month. This man went for a hike and sought shelter under a rock when a thunderstorm blew in. Unfortunately, he passed away likely from hypothermia. Weather is scary as it changes extremely quickly in the mountains.
Our title is a direct quote from a fellow thru-hiker "Just Ron". He believes that if the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) cannot properly maintain the trail they need to "shut this operation down." This phrase has become a running joke of ours. Everytime we fall, have to ford a creek or have a rough moment, we yell, "Shut it down!"
The great "Spirit Fingers" wrote this message in a shelter journal, "Why is there so much wetmsess in this world."
With 16.5 miles left in New Hemphsire (or New "Damp"shire as "Canada" refers to it), we're preparing for Maine. The Whites were extremely challenging because of the weather. Also, because of The White's popularity as hikers/campers you are expected to pay for tent/shelter sites ($8-$10) or huts ($80-$120). As thru-hikers, you can do a "work-for-stay" at the huts. This means, as a hiker, you work for 2 hours and then are provided with left over food from dinner & breakfast. At our first hut, we folded blankets & swept the bunk houses. At our second hut, we washed dishes. Fortunately, we summitted Mt. Washington on a fairly clear, warmer day.
We want to thank to amazing couples who lifted our spirits & pushed us to continue. You'll never know how much you meant to us! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Scott & Joanie: We had an amazing visit! Your hospitality was above and beyond. Can we have your cookie & bread recipes;)?
Francine & Louise: if you ever visit Chicago, we'll visit dog friendly establishments. Like Matt said, "Do you have any questions or do you need anything?" We'll be skyping soon!
We'll continue to live each day by the motto, "We'll quit tomorrow!"
Don't have time to update you further or upload pictures. We hope to do so in the next week. Thanks for continuing to read.
The great "Spirit Fingers" wrote this message in a shelter journal, "Why is there so much wetmsess in this world."
With 16.5 miles left in New Hemphsire (or New "Damp"shire as "Canada" refers to it), we're preparing for Maine. The Whites were extremely challenging because of the weather. Also, because of The White's popularity as hikers/campers you are expected to pay for tent/shelter sites ($8-$10) or huts ($80-$120). As thru-hikers, you can do a "work-for-stay" at the huts. This means, as a hiker, you work for 2 hours and then are provided with left over food from dinner & breakfast. At our first hut, we folded blankets & swept the bunk houses. At our second hut, we washed dishes. Fortunately, we summitted Mt. Washington on a fairly clear, warmer day.
We want to thank to amazing couples who lifted our spirits & pushed us to continue. You'll never know how much you meant to us! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Scott & Joanie: We had an amazing visit! Your hospitality was above and beyond. Can we have your cookie & bread recipes;)?
Francine & Louise: if you ever visit Chicago, we'll visit dog friendly establishments. Like Matt said, "Do you have any questions or do you need anything?" We'll be skyping soon!
We'll continue to live each day by the motto, "We'll quit tomorrow!"
Don't have time to update you further or upload pictures. We hope to do so in the next week. Thanks for continuing to read.
6 comments:
Hey ladies!! I've been to The Great Wall & back!! China was amazing! Can't wait to see you!! Less than a month right? I need to catch up w/ your blog but the pics are great!!
Love ya
Shelly
Hi Sisters !
Glad you have finally seen the view after so many days in the fog and rain.
Sunday on our way down from Lake of the clouds when the sun made his way throught , we were thinking about you and were very happy for you
See you in Chicago or on skype
Take care
Lou
Hey hey! In case your phones have died, which to me seems like the only reasonable excuse you gals have for not returning my texts - nevermind the whole hiking everyday in the maine woods thing - I'm going to be driving and hiking around maine over the next couple days doing trail magic. If you want in, send me a line.
Splinter
3037266907
arensberg@berkeley.edu
no pain, no rain, no maine
Hey girls! I love "watching" you two do this! Keep up the updates :)
I had a dream last night that I joined you guys for the last 2 hours of the trail and we ran it to the finish! :)
Love you both. Stay safe.
Kara
Hey Sistas,
Just got back to the good ol usa after crossing the pond.
send me tips to my 571 cellphone number.
glad to see you're still truckin'
you trailmate
canada
ps back on trail on the 16th hopefully
under a month until the CHICAGO SISTAS SHUT THIS OPERATION DOWN!!!! i bet you are so excited and so proud of this amazing accomplishment.... i know i am excited and proud for you!! you two have truly amazed me during this whole adventure... your persistence and dedication is admirable. you girls ROCK. seriously. LOVE YOU.
ps. britt... mr. jersha asked how you were today... i said you were still on the trail and he laughed. YOU GO GIRLS!
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