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Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain

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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Sep 22, 2024, 11:50 AM
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 186 m
- United States Great Falls Dam 41.962711, -73.37215341°57’46” N 73°22’20” W
Day 83
Day 81 - Problem and lunch with friends
September 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
First photos are of the the most beautiful part of the day. I've googled around for the name of the falls but they just seem to be called Great Falls. Not a name that will help differentiate them from other falls that are also great, they need to work on their branding. Anyway they are east of Amesville, NY.

Spectacular looking falls. Would recommend (name aside). A lot of fun to walk out into the river area along the rocks. The whole Housatonic river is gorgeous and nice to walk along.

I was warned not to drink the river water though, even with the filter. Apparently there was some factory upstream that had released chemicals into the water and it is still polluted today. There are warning signs up telling people to not swim in the water or eat fish they catch from it. Puts a damper of it but the river still looks great.

Now for the problem. My tent bag has split and slowly regurgitates my tent as I walk along. I used my rope and wrapped it round tightly to keep it all together but I'll need a more permanent solution. Something to think about.

Had lunch at the Mountainside Cafe. Very nice food, and they didn't charge me for my second soda. So I was sitting there waiting for my food and in walked Porky and Monarch! Not sure if I'd mentioned them earlier but they are hikers I'd met previously on the trail. They were just finishing up their hike. Porky lives in Pennsylvania and will catch me on the trail when I get down there. Monarch had been attacked by Yellow Jackets (wasps) and had a very swollen ankle.

We had a very enjoyable lunch and they drove me down to the trail head later.

Staying the night at Pine Swamp Brook Shelter.Read more
Traveler Time to lighted the load and ditch the tent
9/27/24Reply
Traveler Oh no! Emergency sewing kit to stitch it back up?
9/27/24Reply
Traveler Also, the falls are gorgeous but the water sounds disgusting
9/27/24Reply
Traveler Looks like you are having a blast. That's crazy bumping into them again. Regarding the tent bag, I wonder if some race tape might just do the job - wrapped around a couple of times?? Or just a new bag - not a typical purchase though. But Brains option does sound fool-proof
9/27/24Reply
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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Sep 21, 2024, 9:15 AM
- ☀️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 712 m
- United States Mount Race 42.082625, -73.43212842°4’57” N 73°25’56” W
Day 82
Day 80 - Connecticut!
September 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Low on water, creek at campsite bone dry. Most of the water sources marked on the map are dry. There is a lake a couple of miles ahead, I'll fill up there.

Summited Mt Race. Best views of Massy yet.

Crossed into Connecticut today! Wow Massachusetts went fast!

Climbed Bear Mountain but alas... no bears.

I didn't know it was possible but the border sign was even more disappointing than the last. This one did not even welcome me. And it's size, it is like they went to the sign shop and looked at the smallest sign possible, and said "no, we need smaller".

Met my first Australian today! Martin from Canberra. We chatted about all things Australia. I told him I missed Kingsley's Chicken, which you can only get in Canberra. He is travelling with Witcher, whom I'd met earlier in Southern Maine. So that was a cool encounter.

I also met some trail maintainers. They were repairing a log bridge. Spoke to them and had a laugh for about half an hour. They gifted me insect spray and a punnet of tomatoes. Also one of them took $10 out of his wallet and gave it to me to buy a sandwich... I don't know if it was because I look poor or starving, or both. They are some awesome guys.

Stopped in at Salisbury (they have a great looking church and town hall). The local supermarket did not have sandwiches, so bought orange juice, chips, salad, bread, and salami. Sat at a table at a local graveyard eating it.

Ran out of daylight. Spent about an hour night hiking using my headlamp. Glad I hadn't ditched it for weight like I'd been considering. I'm at Limestone Spring Lean-to. Loads of people here, not long distance hikers, just overnighters (it's Saturday).

There were fireworks going off in the distance a while ago. Not sure if it is a special event or just random.Read more
Traveler Still no bears! Glad you are having some great random encounters with kind people. How much further do you have to go Ash?
9/21/24Reply
Traveler The trail ends in Georgia, so he's barely dented it.
9/21/24Reply
Traveler I have 1503 miles to go, or 2418 KMs.
9/21/24Reply
Traveler And you're like 3km in so far?
9/21/24Reply
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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Sep 20, 2024, 11:16 AM
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 188 m
- United States Green River 42.153492, -73.36456442°9’13” N 73°21’52” W
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Day 81
Day 79 - Mt Everett
September 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
So tardy with my updates!

Today I set out from the Quality Inn at Great Barrington, walked down the road about an hour to get back to the trail. As soon as I did, there was a trail magic cache!! So of course I had to stop for a break and snacks!

One of the trail angels rocked up while I was resting and we had a conversation about stuff.

About 20 minutes later, I met some other hikers that were taking their ease. I stopped to chat and they fed me cheese and meat. :)

One of them is named Porky, he lives Pennsylvania and will try to catch up with me when I get down that way.

Also passed the site of the last battle of Shay's rebellion. Very cool reading about it.

I ascended Mt Bushnell and Mt Everett. The climb was much steeper that is thought it was going to be. It was quite hard going.

Finished up at Race Brook Falls campsite. There are tent platforms that Massy insists on being used instead of the ground to protect wild plants. As there was no rain and no wind, I didn't bother properly setting up the tent, just erected the frame to hold up the inner tent and fly, once inside I used my gear to push the corners out. It does in a pinch.Read more
Traveler Is that the 1st of the autumn colour we're seeing in the photos?
9/21/24Reply
Traveler Yeah, the leaves have started changing colour for about a week now. As well as falling off the trees, at times the path can be a bit tricky to find because of this.
9/21/24Reply
Traveler Is the weather cooling quickly?
9/21/24Reply
Traveler No. It has been Australia-level warm for the past week.
9/21/24Reply
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Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
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- May 2, 2024, 7:30 PM
- ☀️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 545 m
- United States Haley Pond 42.202389, -73.27653542°12’9” N 73°16’36” W
Day 92
The Bagelbrothers 🤤🥯
May 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Heute legten wir bei herrlichstem Wetter knapp 20 Meilen zurück und das mit einem Zwischenstopp in einem „Bagelplace“. Wir gaben uns selbst 5 Minuten für einen Hitch und beim letzten Auto hat es geklappt. Wir wurden von einem Farmer direkt zu dem Restaurant gefahren, bei dem wir mehrere Bagels aßen. Seit Minneapolis können wir den diesen einfach nicht mehr widerstehen.Read more
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Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
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- May 1, 2024, 5:55 PM
- ☁️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 625 m
- United States Guilder Pond 42.109689, -73.43153342°6’35” N 73°25’54” W
Day 91
Heyyyyy the Germans!
May 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Während einem wunderschönen Sonnenaufgang aßen Jochen und ich die Reste von gestern.

Meine Stimmung war allerdings nicht ganz so gut, da ich mir in der Nacht eine Erkältung einfing. Zudem kamen mir generelle Zweifel an unserem Projekt. Nach unserem Aufenthalt in Minneapolis war klar, dass die Zeit nicht mehr für alle drei Trails reichen würde. Wir entschieden uns deshalb nach dem AT den Continental Divide Trail (CDT) zu laufen, da wir den Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) schon 2016 gewandert sind.

An diesem Morgen konnte ich mir allerdings zum ersten Mal nicht mehr vorstellen, noch einen weiteren Trail nach dem AT zu wandern. Mich machte es fertig, ständig auf dem Trail krank zu sein. Meine Erkältung zog mich gewaltig runter.

Nach dem Frühstück und einem langen Gespräch entschlossen wir, einen Bubu zu machen. Kurze Zeit später wurden wir allerdings von einem „Heyyyyy the Germans“ geweckt. Es war Kim, die wir seit dem Four Pines Hostel nicht mehr gesehen hatten. Wir unterhielten uns ziemlich lange über die vergangenen Monate. Es war superinteressant zu hören, was sie erlebte und mit wem sie alles wanderte.

Nach dem Gespräch ging sie weiter, während Jochen und ich noch ein wenig chillten und langsam zusammenpackten.

Die 10 Meilen, die wir an diesem Tag noch zurücklegten, waren wunderschön! Auf dem Weg kamen wir über die höchste Erhebung Connecticuts (der Steinhaufen) und über die Staatsgrenze nach Massachusetts.

Am Shelter wartete ein ca. 60-jähriger Engländer, der in Kolumbien lebt, auf uns. Er war sehr nett und sehr sehr sehr gesprächig. Er hielt einen über einstündigen Monolog über wirtschaftliche Themen und seinen finanziellen und privaten Status (15 Mio., 30 Jahre alte und äußerst attraktive Frau, etc.). Jochen schlief schon fast, als ich mein „Bett“ richtete.

Der Mann war zwar supernett, hielt mich aber davon ab, die letzten Tagebucheinträge zu formulieren.Read more
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Traveler Dr. Schorschi sagt schon immer "Bubu ist die beste Medizin" 😚
5/23/24ReplyTranslate
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Calendar-Year Triple Crown 24
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- Apr 30, 2024, 9:24 PM
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 535 m
- United States Bald Peak 42.015372, -73.45483342°0’55” N 73°27’17” W
Day 90
Ausgekocht!
April 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
In Minneapolis entschieden Jochen und ich mit Winterausrüstung auf den AT zurückzukehren, da in den White Mountains in New Hampshire im Frühling noch winterliche Temperaturen möglich sind. In den letzten Tagen waren uns unsere Rucksäcke jedoch deutlich zu schwer und zu voluminös. Vor allem auch, da wir im Vergleich zu Jolly Green Giant viel zu schwer unterwegs waren.

Bei jeder unserer Wanderungen waren unsere Kochutensilien obligatorisch. Wir konnten uns nicht vorstellen, jemals ohne Kochtopf unterwegs zu sein und auf warme Mahlzeiten und einen warmen Kaffee zu verzichten.

Jolly Green Giant inspirierte uns allerdings, es eine Zeit lang „stoveless“ zu probieren. Das heißt ohne Kocher und Kochtopf unser Essen zuzubereiten. Bei dieser Methode wird dehydriertes Essen in einem wasserdichten Kunststoffbehälter schon während der Wanderung in Wasser eingeweicht. Nach der Wanderung kann in diesem Fall direkt gegessen werden, ohne vorher zu kochen. Außerdem spart man das Gewicht der Kochutensilien und der Gaskartusche. Man muss halt mit kaltem Essen leben.

Um unsere Sachen loszuwerden, gingen wir in Falls Village nach einem Frühstück in einem Café direkt zum Post Office. Von dort aus sendeten wir unsere Kochsachen und Kleidungsstücke nach Norwich, das kurz vor den Whites liegt.

Das Einzige, was wir jetzt noch brauchten, war ein geeigneter Kunststoffbehälter. Für diesen mussten wir ein paar Meilen weiter bis nach Salisbury laufen, da es in Falls Village keine Einkaufsmöglichkeit gab.

Auf dem schönen, teils über saftig grüne Wiesen verlaufenden Weg nach Salisbury verging die Zeit wie im Flug. Mindestens genauso schnell verging die Zeit im Einkaufsladen mit integriertem Deli. Selbstredend blieb es nicht bei der Talenti-Eiscreme, die in einem für unsere Zwecke geeigneten Kunststoffbehälter verpackt ist. Wir gönnten uns unter anderem riesige Sandwiches und gefüllte Kartoffeln. Außerdem bekamen wir Trailmagic! Ein Kunde gab uns Cracker und einen ganzen Käsekuchen. Jochen und ich vermuteten, dass er sah, wie ich erfolglos versuchte, einen herrenlosen Einkaufswagen zu stoppen, bevor er auf ein Auto krachte. Aber das ist reine Spekulation.

Nach insgesamt 15 Meilen und zwei Stadtbesuchen lagen wir abends zufrieden in einem nagelneuen Shelter mit einem wunderbaren Ausblick.Read more
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Traveler Appalachian Tra
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- Jun 1, 2024, 11:09 AM
- ☁️ 68 °F
- Altitude: 2,277 ft
- United States Bear Mountain 42.044875, -73.45442242°2’42” N 73°27’16” W
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Day 56
Hello, Massachusetts
June 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
I crossed from Connecticut to Massachusetts this week! Had a wonderful last night in CT at Maria’s house. Maria has been hosting hikers for more than 30 years. Unfortunately she can do longer personally do it at age 95, but her grandson is taking over.

The CT/Mass border reminds you you’re entering different territory. One day had three peaks: Lions head (1738’), Bear mountain (2316’), and Mount Everett (2602’). I was very glad I started the day around 6:30 am. Also grateful for a dip in Guilder Pond at the end of the day. This entire section is incredibly beautiful, including waterfalls in Sages Ravine.Read more
Traveler Cool!!
6/3/24Reply
Traveler Sweet!
6/3/24Reply
Traveler Hot water?
6/3/24Reply
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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Aug 3, 2017, 8:40 PM
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 474 m
- United States Butternut Basin 42.16478, -73.3060842°9’53” N 73°18’22” W
Day 92
Tom Leonard Shelter 1527
August 3, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
For breakfast we stayed at the campsite and were soon joined again by not sure. Over chatting with him it took us more than an hour to head out. It was even tougher to start as we hit a steep climb up Mount Everett right in the morning. Up there we met Jon again who had camped a bit before the campsite. Together we climbed down and encountered the so far largest rattlesnake we've seen on the trail. Luckily it didn't care too much about us so we could pass quite easily.
For lunch we stopped at the Appalachian Trail Headquarters North. It was very unimpressive, the main features were a spigot and two electrical outlets.
Then Jon encountered that he was almost out of food so he went to the next town. We moved on to the upcoming Shelter after about five miles and arrived there after three hours and lots of swearing on the bugs.Read more
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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Aug 2, 2017, 10:06 PM
- 🌙 15 °C
- Altitude: 564 m
- United States Race Brook Falls 42.0905, -73.4329742°5’26” N 73°25’59” W
Day 91
Race Brook Falls Campsite 1510.8
August 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
We were awaken early by a crow screaming right next to our tent. We had an extended breakfast at the Toymakers Cafe before we went back on the trail. There we just hiked for a few minutes and then got a necessary shower at a power plant. It took us until 9 to actually start making miles...
On the way to the 1500 miles mark we met a gardner who was friendly. After a bit of smalltalk I remembered Julias rash and asked him. He confirmed that it is poison ivy. Nothing to joke about but still better than other guesses, like tick bites or chiggers. So it was kind of a relief.
On the way up to the Lion's head (there are longer up and down parts now again) Jon and Claus passed us. They were going about the same pace so they decided to make a hiking couple, at least for the day. You could hear the rumbling of a thunderstorm from the nearby clouds but it seems to be just a bit.
On the way down it suddenly started to pour and besides getting soaked the trail went pretty bad. So we needed to climb down steep, slippery rocks. It felt quite dangerous although the pictures don't look like. But we were relieved when the rain decreased and we moved into less rocky and steep terrain. We managed to make it until a nice little campsite. There we met "not sure" and had a great time chatting before heading to bed at hikers midnight.Read more
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Traveler Appalachian Trail
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- Aug 1, 2017, 10:16 PM
- 🌙 20 °C
- Altitude: 211 m
- United States Falls Village Congregational Church 41.95607, -73.3630941°57’22” N 73°21’47” W
Day 90
Falls Village 1492.3
August 1, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
We've had some nice stops today. The first one was at a Campsite for breakfast which had a swing and a well with delicious water. The next one was at a shelter where we randomly met Claus from Stuttgart. I've had a blast talking swabian with him and exchanging about the trail. It's easy to have to conversations with him so we spend more time with our lunch break than planned.
By the time we hit the trail again we thought we'd be just about 6 miles away from our destination (with a shower!!!). But it was actually more than 8 miles, so we needed to push a bit more. The heat and bugs were crazy today and I was glad to still have Oralpädon left. After surviving the rollercoaster there we road walked into Falls Village which doesn't have much but a liquor store, an inn and a town hall. Luckily there's also a cafe with a hiker friendly owner that lets them sleep in the backyard.
So we did the things you could do there. Resupply on beer in the liquor store, use the free internet at the inn and then set up our tent at the café :) We've met Chef, Jon and Anvil again.
Just as we finished cooking the Chicken Broccoli a girl that is also staying at the Campsite walked up to us with big boxes of food. She said that they weren't able to finish it and that we could take it. So we finished all of it and also our dinner.

At the end we drank beer altogether and chatted.Read more
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