Despite the fact that I have been systematically checking things off my bucket list (marathon, ultra, Ironman, and so on), it continues to grow. The newest addition? Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.
The latest desire is a result of a training run that John and I took last weekend along 20 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Apparently, the bucket list is a little bit like knowledge: the more you know, the more you realize you want to know. The more we do, the more we realize we want to do.
We had traveled to Vermont seeking a training weekend in preparation for the Vermont 50 ultramarathon, which we are planning to do on September 26. We figured what better way to prepare than on the granddaddy of all trails: The Long Trail (LT)/Appalachian Trail (AT).
According to the Green Mountain Club, which created the LT in the early 1900s, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, running from the border of Massachusetts, through Vermont, to the border of Canada. The section that we ran, out of Bennington, VT, is also part of the Appalachian Trail. (The LT is coterminous with the AT for about 100 miles in the southern part of VT.)
So, last Saturday morning, we awoke and drove about 45 minutes to Bennington to hop on the trail. We decided to head north, which took us up Glastenbury Mountain. And, when I say, “up” – I mean it. According to my Garmin, we climbed a total of 4,340 feet over 10.1 miles. We then turned around and descended 4,340 feet over 10.1 miles, giving us a total of 20 miles on the course with over 8,000 feet of elevation change. No wonder I was so sore this ENTIRE week.
The particular section of trail that we hiked was incredibly challenging and exhilarating. It was quite technical, with large boulders covering most of the trail floor. And at some points, the grade was so sharp, I had to actually pull myself up holding on to tree limbs or rocks. At other points, magnificent large stones formed steps up the side of some of the steepest sections. Tree roots jutted up everywhere, demanding full attention to the trail. And, even with that full attention, John and I did a fair amount of tripping, but luckily, no face plants. And, going downhill was no easier than going up. Because the trail was so technical, we couldn’t really hammer the downhills for fear of tripping on a root, or slipping on a boulder.
The views were spectacular, as were the thick areas on the trail, where we were nestled in the trees. Given how beautiful it was, I was happy that we couldn’t run that fast. It gave me more time to enjoy the natural energy that comes from the trail.
Along the way, we ran into others who were
on the trail for the day, as we were. Some who were section-hiking for a few days or weeks. And, then, we met the thru-hikers. The people who started on Springer Mountain in Georgia, and were headed 2,179 miles to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Those people. The people that I envy and now want to become. We stopped and talked with one couple for about 20 minutes, asking them questions about their journey–which at that point was already over 1,600 miles! They estimated that they had about 40 days to go, through some of the most difficult terrain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I hung on their every word.
Before we even finished our run, I was set on thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. It’s on the bucket list. It must be done.
