October 6, 2007
Montclair Glen Shelter to Birch Glen Camp
LT Miles – 9
Total LT Miles – 107.2
Extra Miles – 0

Morning at Montclair Glen dawns cool and misty. My sleeping bag is moist with drops of condensation, from lying out in the open air last night.

I pack early, say goodbye to the weekend campers, and head out on my way.

Montclair Glen Shelter – fully equipped with star-gazing boulders.

Today’s walking shapes up to be a slow and weary task. I think it’s a result of having such an excellent day yesterday… as well as a caffeine induced hangover, if such a thing exists. I was also foolish not to fill up my water this morning at the shelter, and find that my bottles are empty long before I’d like. Eventually I replenish with some seeping drips, and later more from a questionable trickle.

The trail is steep up Mount Ethan Allen, only to bump over Mount Ira Allen as well. Then it descends again before heading up Burnt Rock Mountain.

The day is lonely except for a single northbound hiker – a friendly guy who appears to be in his thirties. We have a brief conversation, mostly dwelling on the quality of nearby water sources. Like me, he is not carrying a filter.

The early morning presents a picturesque view to the east.

Burnt Rock Mountain

I observe as rain clouds from the west blow through a gap to the north, through where I’ve just hiked from this morning. I think of my shelter mates from last night… how they must be on Camel’s Hump right now, wishing for good weather like I had yesterday.

I take a long break at Cowles Cove Shelter, paging through the register and observing the intermittent rain. The rain begins before I arrive, ceases while I’m in the shelter, and continues when I hike out.

The showers become steady, and I’m loving it. Water falls from the sky, runs off the bark and leaves, and soaks my shirt. For the first time today, I feel energized.

It’s been nearly two weeks since I’ve bathed – eleven days out – and walking this evening in the rain, I know the transformation is complete. I am a creature of the trail again – tempered by the elements to achieve this euphoria that all long distance hikers seek.

Near Birch Glen Camp I meet a man and four children – three boys and a young girl.

They’re out for a day hike, and all decked out in ponchos for the rain – officially known as “Ricky D and the Kids,” from Quebec. Ricky is a great conversationalist and I enjoy talking to him inside the shelter. He gives me some kids’ snacks that are apparently extra – individually packaged fruit snacks and the like. He also offers a ride to town, but I’m enjoying the shelter – I’ll be in town tomorrow.

The rain increases in volume soon after they leave, and I even hear occasional thunder.

I gratefully nibble on the snacks, and page through the register as my dinner simmers. I love watching the rain from inside a dry shelter. I had quit my hiking early today, so there’s ample time to relax before dark. Out of ten total nights in shelters thus far, I’ve been alone five times. Can’t complain.