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Aug
6 , 1983 Saturday (635.4 mtg) From
Gonzo!s Appalachian Trail journal
From
North Wilcox Shelter it was a mere four miles or so to Tyringham,
Massachusetts. The first couple of miles took me through a nice
area of pines before coming to a road that lead into the town. The
evening rain developed into a morning of low lying fog that clung
to the surrounding green pastureland. I thought I was back at Sages
Ravine in medieval times when a white, castle-like church appeared
out of the fog as I drew nearer to Tyringham. I arrived at the post
office by 7:40 am, but the office did not open until 8:30. I took
this opportunity to call some friends, but neither Fred nor Chuck
were home. A big running race was scheduled for today up Cobble
Mountain, and many people were in their running outfits preparing
for the ascent. I imagined that if I had a pair of running shoes,
I would have entered and probably blew them all away. Running up
a mountain without a backpack, and wearing shoes that were probably
at least two pounds lighter would make the run a breeze. I regretted
the fact that I did not have any running shoes. I located a water
faucet behind the white, city office building near the post office
where I was able to fill my bottles. I also found out that hikers
could stay at Mrs. Canon's for $8.00 bed and shower. Meals could
also be arranged. I was not in need of any of these amenities, but
noted them for future use. I also noted that I could pick up water
at the Gaslight Motor Lodge Just beyond the Massachusetts Thruway
that I would be crossing in about five or six miles.
The trail followed the road out of town for about a half mile before
turning right and following a dirt road up past a farm house. From
there it passes by Upper Goose Pond before intersecting with the
Massachusetts thruway, and then US 20, where the Gaslight Motor
Lodge sits. Another smaller road is soon crossed before the trail
begins the climb up Becket Mountain. Becket Mountain provided the
only challenging climb today and that was not much of a challenge.
I began having thoughts of ending my day at October Mountain Lean-to,
but while on the way up October Mountain I ran into Cindy,
who suggested that was not a good idea since the shelter was located
very close to an access road and there would probably be a party
there this evening since it was Saturday night. Cindy worked as
a "ridge runner" to patrol the trail for the AMC (Appalachian
Mountain Club). As a result, I decided to go for the campsite listed
in the data book about three miles past the Pittsfield Road, which
was only about a mile past the shelter. I talked with a couple of
short distance southbounders while I took a break at October Mountain
Lean-to before moving on to my proposed camping spot. I found a
spot next to a beautiful flowing brook in a gulley below, and set
up my tarp just in case it happened to rain. For some reason I had
developed a pea-sized blister on the back of my right heal today.
A minor annoyance after a twenty-three mile day.
Gonzo!
Appalachian Trail Journals ©1983
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