Smuggs ’14 Chronicle, Day 7: July 31, 2014—the Hike

The shuttle bus pulls into a parking lot for the Long Trail somewhere out of Johnston. We stretch, introduce ourselves and set off. Pat sets a pace we weren’t used to.

The forest closes in. Ascent follows ascent, each sapping a little more of our energy. Still, we carry on the usual small talk with other hikers. A snack break at a lookout offers us a view of Jeffersonville and the Lamoille, a snake of blue winding through a sea of green.

Happy chatter snapping another couple’s photo

More ascents follow. I fall behind with Mira, Mike and Martha. The trail eventually levels out as we pass a fallen giant. We break for lunch at a shelter, where Mira and I take in another view.

PB&J lunches Thunderheads roll in way too soon

The first drops fall. I put on my hat. Drizzle becomes rain, then the deluge. Mira finds my poncho—the one I failed to put on before getting soaked. We descend, cross a road, the ascend again. That’s when Martha announces that the hike is over; a shuttle bus is in route. We descend and ascend to keep warm, while the rain falls.

Returning home wet Jacuzzi bath to warm up

Photo by Ethan Robertson