Long Trail Hikers Reunite with Friend After Heavy Resupply

Hikers on the Long Trail in Vermont staggered under packs weighing 28 to 35 pounds after a major resupply. The group, which includes the narrator 'Anniversary' and a companion called 'The Historian,' left the Long Trail Inn carrying food for six breakfasts and dinners, plus seven days of lunches and snacks.

After two rest days, the hikers began what they called one of their longest carries of the trip. They prefer resupplying every four to five days, finding shorter stretches disruptive. The source notes that some ultralight hikers carry very little food, relying on speed. For this group, however, being disconnected from town life is part of the long-distance hiking experience.

Waddling Under the Weight

The scale at the Long Trail Inn wavered, but the hikers estimated their pack weights. The loads included a quart of yogurt, a pound of bread for lunch, and two liters of water each. The trail immediately reminded them they were in Vermont, with a challenging first quarter-mile of roots and rocks.

A phone call interrupted the hike. The narrator, who hikes with their phone in airplane mode, was surprised to hear it ring. It was the Long Trail Inn calling to say they had left their wallet behind. The hiker dropped their pack and dashed back a quarter-mile to retrieve it.

Handling a Famous Junction

Wallet recovered, the group focused on reaching Maine Junction. This intersection is a critical waypoint. Turning east leads to Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail, while heading north continues the Long Trail toward Canada. The 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail also terminates here, with a westbound route stretching to North Dakota.

The heavy packs made for slow progress. The hikers squirmed and adjusted straps under the weight. They took a break to filter water, a task the narrator usually doesn't handle as they do most of the cooking. The pause offered a moment to relax under a blue sky.

A Surprise Reunion and Camp

The group decided to camp for the night rather than push for a shelter. Using the Farout app, they identified a promising spot where a snowmobile trail intersected the Long Trail. As they began a tiring ascent, The Historian passed around Lifesavers candy for energy.

More encouraging than candy, their trail friend, nicknamed 'Seeker' or 'Trail Grandson,' strode into view. The group was overjoyed at the surprise reunion. They chatted excitedly through the rest of the climb, catching up on the past few weeks.

They reached the intersection with plenty of light to set up camp. The spacious area allowed them to spread out their tents, a luxury after several nights of setting up in the dark on tiny spots. With the extra space and daylight, they confirmed their tent was a trapezoid, not a rectangle, and that they had been pitching it correctly all along.

By hiker midnight-8 p.m.-everyone was snug in their beds. The source concludes that the weight of their heavy packs was nothing compared to the happiness of finding their friend Seeker healthy and back on the trail.