August 12, 2004

After taking a zero in Manchester, Vermont on Wednesday to re-supply, I hitched back to the trailhead to begin my 16.5 mile day.  My pack is noticeably heavier because I am carrying my winter gear with me for the remainder of my trip.   Ugh!  I began today's hike climbing to the summit of Bromley Mountain.  It is an elevation of 3,260 feet.  I climbed to the observation tower which, on a clear day, has a five-state view.  Today was hazy so my view was limited to my imagination.  The gondola atop the mountain was being worked on so I tried to yogi a ride down Bromley Mountain via that.  The man in the hut said no, but told me that I could hike halfway down the mountain and then use the slide to go into Bromley Village.  Hhm...did I really want to ascend Bromley again?

I pressed on and hiked in a steady rain today summiting Peru Peak which is 3,429 feet above sea level and Baxter Peak an elevation of 2,850 feet.  I pulled into camp at dusk, pitched my tent and fell asleep by 9:30 p.m.  The steady raindrops on my tent provided a great night's sleep in the woods.