Mt. Greylock and Williamstown, MA

5.06. Magic and I left Cheshire about 4:45 AM in the dark, my first time to hike with a headlamp. It was a short experience, because the sun soon peaked over the horizon and the morning birds started their symphony--woodpeckers too.

I was dreading the day, because Mt. Greylock, at 3,400+ ft, is the tallest peak on the A.T. in MA. It was not that bad, in fact the descent into North Adams was the hardest part of the day; very, very steep and lots of slippery leaves to slide on. Took me forever to get down that mountain.

I need gaiters, because when wearing shorts with nothing to shield the top of my boots, they collect everything; leaves, dirt, etc. Hard on the socks too. I read about The Mountain Goat, an outfitter in Williamstown who lets hikers camp behind the store, and I hitched into town from the trail intersection with MA 2. A very nice young woman gave me a ride; first time I've been picked up by a woman.

It was a good news, bad news story. The bad news was that The Mountain Goat had no shorty gaiters, only the long-legged type. I called another store in North Adams, but the woman who answered the phone, did not know what gaiters were--nuff said.

The good news is that, John Bryan the owner let me camp behind The Mountain Goat store. I slept on the bank of the Green River about 25 yards from roaring rapids that put me to sleep in minutes. And there was a picnic table there, so eating dinner was a treat. AND there was a laundromat next door. I washed clothes and slept in clean garments. It was great!

5.07. I got up at 6:00 AM and took the opportunity to rearrange my pack; sent more stuff home and repacked other things. The laundromat opened at 7:30 and I took my sleeping bag over and fluffed it up in the dryer. Convenient, because it rained last night and the bag was wet on the edges.

Williamstown is a very pretty place. It is dominated by Williams College and the campus seems to snake in and out of every street. It has the feel of a college town. I like it.

Went to the post office at 8:30 and the library at 10:00 where I am now, updating this log.

Back on the trail when I leave the library. Don't know how far I will get today, but probably not past the Seth Warner shelter, seven miles away and a 2,000 ft climb.

I'll be in Vermont tonight.

Comments

[Annice]

So what the heck are gaiters? Just curious.