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Started strong from Williamstown and powered up to the southern terminus.
With the intense pace we originally set we pushed for Melville and finished the climb to it at dark.
We werenAAATMt done however, we pushed for wardsboro road and again made it by dark.
2 long days done.
We would have died trying to make it up Stratton after a 20 mile day.
We powered up it and realized that it was no hill.
The nice caretaker told us we should probably get a new book.
Our moto has been AAApositive and flexibleAAA.
7/18
Day 4 started good.
With our new guide book mom and I did work summiting bromley then styles back to back.
We continued rolling through the woods until we finally got to big branch.
The caretaker was very nice and itAAATMs been a mellow evening so far.
Over 22 miles today.
Going to governor clement camp tomorrow!
7/19
We made it to cooper lodge on killington!
Today started really poorly with my blisters getting uncontrollably gnarly.
We woke up at 6 and were hiking by 7.
Got to clarendon shelter by 3 and my feet were throbbing.
Blisters the size of quarters and one that wrapped around my toe a few mmAAATMs off the skin.
We re-mole skinned, I doubled up on socks and took some advil.
Mom kept up all day with a slower but strong pace.
Hiked like 13 hours today and 23.5 miles.
Hope these blisters keep feeling alright or go away.
Meeting up with Theresa and Jon tomorrow to re-up on food.
O and mom started getting blisters but pushed through because, like Theresa, sheAAATMs tough.
7/20
Today went by quick and was pretty uneventful.
Came down from cooper taking our time, pretty cool alpine area.
Filled our water and waited for Theresa and Jon.
They came early because weAAATMve been killing it on time but we still had to wait a little while.
Sucks to be weighed down though.
Mom and Jon hiked with us up to the road just before rolston rest which looked sick.
Powered at 5pm from there to david logan which is pretty nice and we met a few cool guys.
Full day tomorrow and middlebury!
7/21
Today started good, had an early start and mellow morning.
Hit Brandon gap and sent it up Horrid which was intense.
Got down to sucker brook which took a while then the rain started.
My boots are soaked, it was light at first then picked up.
We kept strong over wentworth then came down middlebury ski bowl really wet.
The start out of the gap was real steep and it didnAAATMt get much easier.
We passed burnt hill without realizing itAAATMs the half way marker!
ItAAATMs nice here and ThereAAATMs a cool pond but itAAATMs pouring and everything is soaked.
It was still misting a little but it didnAAATMt matter we were drenched.
We went into Bristol where we got pizza and dried our clothes/boots at a Laundromat.
I NEED the weather to be good.
We got an early start but also a slow one.
The cloudy weather made it seem darker then it was.
Mom was real tired but we made it and ate lots and are ready for the hump tomorrow.
We filled our water and headed to camelAAATMs hump which was only 2 miles to the summit.
What they say about the south side is true.
But they did put up a new rope swing there which is sweet!
O and it didnAAATMt rain!!
The weather was nice althoughAA I heard it wasnAAATMt in Burlington.
Hope itAAATMs nice tomorrow!
Got a solid day of hiking.
7/26
A lot has happened since I last wrote.
IAAATMm already north of Johnson and the Lamoille river.
Yesterday sucked, me and mom were going real slow and the day started out real wet.
Regardless, Mansfield was sick.
I figured since IAAATMve seen it before it wouldnAAATMt excite me but it was awesome!
And one of the caretakers on top was a girl I went to highschool with.
WeAAATMve gotten some good photos this trip.
It was super nice and there was even a couch suspended from the rafters hanging.
Ate a big breakfast then reluctantly headed back out into the wet and cold.
Though by the time I made it to bear hollow it was super sunny out!
They were ambitious and psyched.
DidnAAATMt think IAAATMd see anyone today but IAAATMve been seeing lots of people.
From there it was a super easy hike to the Lamoille and the new bridge so no road walking!
Just some rail trail, a field and a graveyard.
ItAAATMs been SO buggy and IAAATMm pumped Theresa gave me her bug bivy.
Camping food for 1 is also awesome and easy to carry.
Ate lots of pasta and IAAATMm a little nervous for tomorrow.
23 miles to tillotson.
IAAATMve done it before but IAAATMm still real nervous to do it alone.
After that a mellow day to Jay camp where I meet Theresa and then just 11.5 to the END!
7/27
It was a good day today!
Made it to Tillotson, 23.1!
Many of which are staying here tonight and itAAATMs a little crowdedAAA psyched to meet Theresa tomorrow.
Just enjoying the view now.
7/28
Had a good mellow day today.
Tons of thru hikers up here!
We all did Jay together and it was pretty mellow.
Made it to camp okay too, nice little shelter.
Had a nice sunset from atop Jay and psyched to be 8.7 from the border!
