After finishing off the Finger Lakes, we were ready for our next big project, the 102-mile Appalachian/Long Trail from the Massachusetts border to Maine Junction (the point where the two paths divide). First, however, we had some preparation and, god forbid, office work to take care of. We met with our Forest Service contact, Kate Walker, and were able to spend a day and a half surveying trail with her. After that short little warm up, we headed down to the border to get started on our main project, the southern half of the Long Trail. James and Sam hiked in from a point just south of the state line and met Bobby (who had taken the truck ahead to run shuttle), at the border itself. Everyone waited with bated breath while the self-timer on the camera counted down to zero and snapped a shot of us standing at the sign that marked the beginning of this infamous route through the wilderness. We proceeded northward for the next five days, surveying as we went and moving our spike camp three times in that short period. All members were stoked to be out there, and there was not a thought given to lethargy or disinterest the whole time. Our hitch finished off with a site visit from Chris Sparks, who we had not seen since training. It was a happy note to finish such a pleasant hitch on.
Miles Surveyed:
1. Johnson Hill Access: .3mi
2. East Deerfield Loop: 3.5mi
3. Appalachian/Long Trail: 15.88mi
Total: 19.68mi
