Neon and the LT

The Long Trail in Vermont. That’s where I am right now, hiking with Wes. I don’t have too many stories of what’s happened to us in our first 64 miles other than I’ve finally been offered a trail name. A gal named Pepper at one of the shelters we stayed at suggested the name “Neon” because of my color bomb of a wardrobe. I accepted it. It’s been odd not responding with “Erin” when people ask my name, but this is the life on trail. I am not Erin out here, apparently.

I’ll try to explain a bit about the long trail as best I can, as it’s like nothing we’ve hiked before. I have plenty of pictures to share, but they don’t really give a true-to-life feel for how it is out here. First thing… there are shelters to stay in every night and pit toilets at each shelter. Though it may not sound great, it’s very luxurious. No packing out dirty poo paper for me! Many of the shelters are fully enclosed buildings with bunk space for about 8-10 people. The others are three sided structures, some with bunks but most without. Through several conversations, Wes and I found out that the way we are used to camping in the West, meaning you find a flat area and pitch your tent, is considered stealth camping out here. Every time someone has said they haven’t stayed in a shelter, they’ve referred to it as such. Though it has proven difficult to find a flat, dry area big enough for a tent that’s not in a designated tenting area (yes, those are a thing at shelters in case the structure is full,) if you do find a spot, it’s just camping to us because that’s what camping is! Find a spot, pitch your tent, sleep. The word “stealth” gives camping a whole new feeling… a negative, not allowed feeling. I don’t like things that aren’t allowed so we will avoid camping out here as best we can. As far as the hiking itself goes, I’ve thought of two different explanations. The first being a comparison to mountain biking and the second being about simply choosing the lesser of several evils. The mountain biking comparison is pretty simple. Typically mountain biking isn’t just a leisurely cruise down a pine needle path. If requires constant focus and looking ahead at the rocks, roots, and turns to plan your line in order to not wipe out. Hiking the Long Trail feels the same. Switch backs are a rarity out here and so are smooth, casual grades meaning you sometimes gather speed quickly and just have to roll with it, hoping the line you’ve chosen treats you well. As far as the lesser of several evils goes, it’s something like this. There are basically three options of routes out here. Boulders, roots, bogs. In dry conditions, obviously avoid the bogs as best you can. No one wants wet feet, but on rainy days, bogs might be your best option. There’s no slipping and your feet will already be wet. You can trudge on through with no worries other than the bog sucking in your shoe entirely, which is a small price to pay when it comes to your safety. Boulders can be slippery and very steep and roots have zero traction when wet making them the wildest ride down the mountain. Avoid the roots at all cost when possible. If it does happen to be a dry day, the boulders can be fun, though for those of us with short legs, they require arm strength, flexible legs, and very large grunts to get anywhere. The roots provide more evenly spaced steps than the boulders and lots of trees to help hoist yourself up or down, but the makeshift steps can be narrow allowing for easily wedged feet and twisted ankles. Sometimes…. probably most of the times…. you don’t even have a choice and have to endure whichever of the three the trail has chosen for you, which is sometimes all three at once. It’s either straight up or straight down out here, and none of it is in moderation. You’re having fun climbing up boulders? Good! There’s a mile and a half of it straight uphill. Ready to be done with that? Fine…. into the bog you go! The excitement truly never ends. It’s all both physically and mentally exhausting, but very rewarding. It’s definitely been fun. There are many “oh shit” moments when the worst case scenario plays in your head, but so far it’s all worked out and neither of us have been hurt. I’ve near pooped my pants a few times with minor slips and trips, but thankfully, so far, my undies have stayed clean. On to the next 60ish miles!

There are far more detail shots in the following pictures than overall views because it’s the little things that have made this trail stand out. The large view is gorgeous, but there are so many small things you can’t see from a wide shot. I’ve included some of my favorite small beauties.

This is a seemingly harmless set of large rock stairs. False. Very harmful.

Me with my fern friends.

Just a view of the trail.

I collect my favorite leaves on the end of my trekking pole as I walk and they ride with me for as long as they can hang on.

s’cute log of teeny mushrooms.

Entering the beautiful Devil’s Gulch.

Devil’s Gulch

Itty bitty tiny mushrooms.

No, that’s not just a neat root structure next to some large rocks…. that’s the trail.

This section was covered in these white, blue and black tubes for collecting sap from the trees…. I assume.

First signs of fall out here!

Wes enjoying a cup of coffee on the deck of our shelter after a day of hiking in the rain.

Beware is the bog and it’s deceptive depth.