Trans Adirondack Route Day 17
August 16, 2016 8:00 amDaily Recap: Stephen’s Sunrise, Wild Turkeys, Rain, Rain and the Cedar Lakes
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No Headlamp
August 15, 2016 9:00 pmI Guess you could file this under gear failures, or brain failure. I left my headlamp at a Motel in Long Lake. I carry a multi tool with a compass, safety whistle and small led light. Not ideal but a few things you always need to have a backup for, water treatment, socks, and light! Lets hope I don’t need to scare off any bears with my little LED light!
No Hammocks at Lake Durant & Stephen’s Pond
August 15, 2016 8:27 pmAfter making nearly 20 miles today from in town at Long Lake I arrived at the State campground in Lake Durant. It is supposed to rain very heavily tomorrow and my plan was to reserve 2 nights, take a zero miles day tomorrow and head into the nearby town of Blue Mountain Lake to visit the Adirondack Museum. When I arrived at the booth I was told there were no hammocks allowed at the campground. In some respects I can see why they might have such a policy but I use tree straps for my hammock so the ropes don’t damage the tree. Seems like a bad blanket policy.
I am very disappointed as I was looking forward to seeing the Adirondack Museum. Short of staying at Lake Durant and hitching into town I’d be going pretty out of my way. So I pushed on another 5 miles or so and made it to Stephen’s Pond lean-to.
The rain is supposed to start pretty early and I’m shot from nearly 25 miles today so I’m spending my very first night ever sleeping in a lean-to after 70 or so nights in the woods. Lean-to’s are generally dirty, attract rodents, and no where near as comfortable as a hammock but I’m super exhausted and well, don’t knock it till you try it…Mosquitoes are horrendous here so I’m using my hammock and its bug net like a bivy. I can hear a army of them buzzing around me right now.
Gear Failures So Far
August 15, 2016 1:29 pmEvery trip has its gear failures. So far I’ve suffered a broken water filter bag, critical but I always carry treatment tablets for backup and I have a rescue replacement on the way. I have also had several tears in my packs outer pouch. I’ve used safety pins and tried my hand at sewing with a tent repair kit. Pathetic attempt at sewing but only needs to hold a couple of weeks at most.
Leaving Long Lake
August 15, 2016 11:57 amGeorge has had his fill of r&r so we’re headed back out!
Trans Adirondack Route Day 16
August 15, 2016 10:00 amDaily Recap: Leaving Long Lake, Gear Failures so Far, No Hammock Lake Durant, Stephen’s Pond
Hiker Pro Tip – “Bouncing”
August 14, 2016 10:47 pmI learned the term “bouncing” from some fellow hikers on the Appalachian Trail. It refers to mailing things to towns ahead of you as you go down the trail. I am “bouncing” some clippers and razors ahead on the trail for a good clean up once in town. I am also bouncing toothpaste, soap, and a few other things. Very helpful!
Trail Appetites
August 14, 2016 9:10 pmI read once that distance hikers burn and average of 3000-5000 calories per day. I know I’ve had higher days recently especially bushwacking uphill! Over periods of weeks of hiking all day your metabolism just skyrockets. Anyhow it’s difficult, if not impossible to carry that much calories over a 5-7 day run between resupply. So my theory is carry as much as you can and make up the rest in town. Truth is a majority of my town time is usually spent either sleeping or eating. Not one of these dishes had a crumb left and this was only a fraction of what was consumed daily.
Trans Adirondack Route Day 13-15
August 14, 2016 10:01 amToo many town days? Most distance hikers tend to avoid spending too much time in town. A quick resupply, laundry and a shower and get out. I understand, as you tend to spend money when you are in town. I like my town days though. The creature comforts get you through when life is dirty, sloppy, tired, hungry and painful on the trail.
I’ve ate, showered, done laundry, slept ate, showered, updated my journal, slept, ate, showered slept and again. Definitely have had my fill of comforts.
Admittedly also I loath rain hiking and we’ve had a good bit of rain the last 2 days so I’m avoiding sloppy trails. Who wouldn’t want to stay here? I’m good and rested though. I’ll head back out tomorrow.
Cold River to Long Lake, Run to Town
August 11, 2016 4:34 pmI woke up at first light today (around 5:15). I knew I had 15 miles to cover getting into Long Lake. I had a resupply to pick up at the post office there and I was hoping I still had a hotel reservation despite being a day later than I had originally estimated.
I was looking to make it to town by noon and would need to move fast. When you are anticipating getting into town and all of the things associated with that, a hot shower, good food etc. It can seem to take forever to get in, sometimes made worse by being able to hear traffic with miles to go. I cruised though, making it to Long Lake by just after 11am.
A few scenes from the way in. The light was great!
