Stratton, VT to North Clarendon, VT

Stratton Mountain is a great place to pause, eat lunch and climb the fire tower! Stratton Pond, a few miles north (it's actually west, but north by AT standards), is a great place to camp. Our travelers had another fine hiking year, only raining when the fire was ready for steaks one night. Tin Man: "How do you like your pan fried steak?" Bartender: "Green side up." Tin Man: "It hasn't been thawed that long...well, maybe." Bartender, a short while later: "This tastes interesting. [pause] But good!"

The trail over Stratton misses the ski resort by 3/4 miles, but it goes right up the center of a ski trail on Bromley. Neat! Thank the maker they didn't need ski's though.

October 2004, 49.4 miles

North Adams, MA to Stratton, VT

Rain? What rain? Bartender and Tin Man finished their hike earlier than planned the previous year because it might rain. This year Mother Nature simply rained with all her might. The trail was a stream only where it was not a pond. Well, it was only one day out of 5, no problem. That was their welcome to VT!

They found hiking was easier with real hiking sticks, Leki poles to be exact. Thanks Mom and Dad! At least, they work well when you don't leave them in the rental car. No more picking up wood sticks until it was time to set the fire for the evening, or in the morning to dry out boots. Did I mention they had rain?

October 2003, 40.7 miles

Lee, MA to North Adams, MA

Left foot, right foot, repeat. Sounds easy? Try doing back to back 15+ mile days over some interesting hills, including Mt. Greylock. It's not so easy. 4 days, 3 nights, our travellers had a blast. How long can such fun last?

September 2002, 42.3 miles

Salisbury, CT to Lee, MA

Two interesting characters set off on a five day, 5o mile walk along the AT, hiking from Salisbury, CT to Lee, MA. Up, down and around mountains and through the woods, not to Grandma's house, but to a spot for a tent they went. The hiking was grueling, but not a bore. They were constantly parched, yet they kept drooling for more. Each night they setup camp, had a fire or sat by a lamp, and cooked with a scotch in one hand, you understand. The solitude gave them fortitude to celebrate brotherhood and manhood, as they could. This would be their first hike. Would it be their last?

September 2001, 48.7 miles

TRAIL NAMES: A hiker they camped with one night start calling one brother Bartender after his exploits pouring drinks around the campfire one evening. Bartender started calling his brother Tin Man, that would be me, after he banged an empty soda can, conveniently discovered in a cooler near a road (and subsequently drained), on his wood hiking stick to scare away any bears that might be in the area. (Well, they did see some bear sign earlier in the day.) Their trail names were born!

Brothers

Tin Man and Bartender started backpacking together in the 1990's. After aimlessly wandering the Adirondacks on annual fall trips, they decided it was time to take on something that had an objective with a start and end point - the Appalachian Trail! Could they have chosen a shorter trail with a simpler objective? Certainly, positively, absolutely, yes! Did they? Nope, nada, no way, no! What's a little 2174.2 mile trail between two brothers anyway? Don't attempt to answer that. Even they are clueless. They do know it will be a multiple year adventure and they will not now, or probably ever, try to do it all at once. They may be crazy but not that crazy!


So, our intrepid adventurers started this mindless odyssey in September of 2001. A short 50 miles was the goal over 5 days. No problem. Blisters and pain, mice and rain, would not deter these fellers on their way northwards towards Maine. They slept in 3-sided shelters, cooked simple meals over a small stove, filtered water from streams and simply had the time of their lives, don't you know. Year after year, trip after trip, they grow smarter on the ways of the AT hiker. They also have grown famous among friends and family who ask important questions like: when are you going this year, how far, where are you now?

The map shows where our travelers have hiked each year. (Click on the map for a closer look.) They started in Salisbury, CT in 2001 and have hiked between 42 and 63 miles each fall and will be picking up the trail where they left off again this year, in Franconia Notch, NH. In the summer of 2007, they finished the AT in CT through a series of day hikes dating back to 2005. They also began day hiking NY in 2007 and will continue to do more mileage here as schedules permit. If you look at the big picture, 2174.2 miles is a long way. At current annual mileage rates our friends will complete the AT in 36 years! Say it ain't so! Well the story goes that these two dreamers think retirement may offer more opportunities. We shall see, there are wives involved, you know.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

Novices can learn many things from experienced hikers... and vice-versa. Here are a few things Tin Man and Bartender have learned.


10 (or 12) things to remember...

1. Shelters are where the mice live and other hikers do whatever they please, which is likely to include activities you will not find pleasing. Don't sleep there, simply bring your own shelter - a tent, hammock, or even a tarp, will do.



2. Hiking sticks will help your knees on the downhills and have been known to prevent falling, use them.



3. Ration your food and save weight so you don't have to ration more important supplies, like your favorite libation.



4. A headlamp will make it easier to do things with your hands, like cook, setup after dark and wipe up after yourself.



5. Carry a map and compass, so when you are lost you can find yourself.



6. Cook your food on a stable surface, round objects tend to roll your meal into the dirt.



7. Water can be scarce, fill your bottles when you have a chance, filter if you suspect your source is below a cultivated field, beaver dam, or moose flop.



8. Contrary to popular belief, bears do not eat hikers, but if you are not careful you will get run over by a bus before you get to the trail.



9. Bring your own TP, there ain't none provided.



10. Hikers are nice folk, say hello, be friendly and by golly don't talk religion or politics with people you don't know!



11. Don't whine! Hiking and camping is rough outdoor work. It often involves strenuous climbing and descending tall mountains that require much huffing and puffing. It is supposed to rain or cold, and be extra hot or cold - it's call Mother Nature. Get over it!



12. Ask questions, learn as you go, don't hyperventilate over the best way to hike - there ain't no perfect way, just a few dumb ways, avoid those.

10 hiking terms to become acquainted with...

1. Blaze - No, it's not a big fire. It's the the vertical paint mark on the trees that tell you where to go. They come in a variety of colors to help guide you. White blazes signify the AT. Blue blazes lead to a scenic side trail, town or shortcut. Yellow blazes are the markings on the highway for when you want to skip a bunch of silly white blazes altogether. Brown blazes means it's time for clean clothes.


2. HYOH, or Hike Your Own Hike, is a saying other hikers use just after they finish telling you how to hike. Don't listen, just put one foot in front of the other and do what works for you.



3. LNT, or Leave No Trace, is an impossible goal. When you visit a place, you leave a trace, just don't leave any garbage. Pack in/pack out is what you need to do. And try not to burn the place down.



4. Privy, or Outhouse - the place where you go #2, they are now asking you do #1 in the woods, but not in or near the water sources, please. ALTERNATIVE: Cat hole - not for a cat, but for making a deposit when there ain't no Privy.



5. PUD, or Pointless Up and Down, is a long climb to a hilltop with no view. Suck it up and keep going, there will be another hill with a view, trust me.



6. Stealth - camping below the radar of other hikers, as in out of sight. A good way to avoid whining newbies at shelters.



7. Shelter or lean-to - Three-sided wooden structure used by amateur hikers and mice. Good for getting out of nasty weather, or hanging with others when you want company, but not much else. Carry and sleep in your own tent.



8. Trail Magic - an unplanned activity that helps you in an unexpected way. If you come across a stash of cold, fresh beer near a road, that is future trash, not magic. Stop and do the right thing - drink it before it goes bad.



9. Trail Angel - someone who stops by to spread some magic. If you have a specific requirement, go into town and pay for it yourself.



10. Yogi-ing - The art of pretending you are needy in order to score some food or a ride without actually asking for food or a ride, that's begging.

The Appalachian Trail - all 2174.2 miles!

Click on the picture to see full size