Thru-Hikers Confront Stench and Storm on Vermont's Long

A thru-hiker was told directly, "You stink," after six days on the trail. The group, including the writer, Rock Rabbit, and The Historian, hiked 9.6 miles from Cooley Glen Shelter to the Castle Rock Ski Patrol Hut atop Sugarbush ski hill, gaining 3,068 feet of elevation.

Following advice from a fellow hiker named Beatle, they aimed for the ski patrol hut to position themselves for a planned two-day rest. The day's route included a steep climb up Mount Grant before a ridge walk toward the major objective: Mount Abraham.

The Climb to Mount Abraham

The ascent of Mount Abraham, Vermont's first 4,000-foot peak on their journey, began at Lincoln Gap. The climb covered 1.6 miles with 1,686 feet of elevation gain. The first mile passed swiftly, but the final half-mile became a technical scramble over granite. The writer, managing artificial knees and recent shoulder and rib injuries, found it challenging, taking an hour to handle that short, steep section. The group summited at 4:37 p.m., with 2.5 hours of daylight remaining and two miles to go.

Trail Encounters and Unexpected Aid

Approaching Lincoln Gap earlier in the day, the hikers passed numerous day hikers ascending to Sunset Ledge. The scent of laundry detergent from the day hikers contrasted sharply with their own odor. Facing a water shortage by mid-afternoon, the group received key aid. At Sunset Ledge, they spotted a dog bowl and asked the owners for help. The day hikers generously gave them two liters of water and a protein bar. Later, at Battell Shelter, another day hiker offered them homemade oatmeal cookies.

A Race Against Darkness

Anxious about the remaining distance, impending darkness, and a predicted evening storm, the writer pushed the group hard after the summit. Moving at over two and a half miles per hour along the ridge, the writer ran directly into a fallen tree hanging 5.5 feet across the trail. The impact threw the hiker backward onto their pack. A large goose egg formed on their forehead, but no concussion symptoms appeared. After a quick assessment, the sole focus became reaching shelter before dark or rain.

The group emerged at a ski lift unloading area as darkness fell, initially confused by a small building. They soon spotted the correct, larger ski patrol hut. The sight of a rope looped through the door as a makeshift handle signaled an unlocked shelter. They arrived before the rain, their mission accomplished. The writer notes they still carried the distinct scent of their journey.