The journey has begun! - Farm & Wilderness

Nearing 40 miles, both groups of  Long Trail Questers are closing in on Stratton Mountain, Vermont’s 8th highest peak and certainly the highest peak in the first 80 miles. It’s been hot! The groups are getting up early, 5:30 am, in order to beat the heat get into camp early. I’ve spoken with both group leaders and outside of some predictable blisters, all are healthy and happy!

Questers spent a few days in camp, Robbins three days and the Taylors five days, before taking their first steps. Our end goal is to get campers feeling confident and competent with all stages of wilderness travel. Taking part in the food pack out is a huge component of the preparation and ensures a more comfortable and successful trip. Campers learned more about the what, why, how and when to pack for their many meals by measuring and bagging the dry goods for their future resupplies and the fresh food for this first week of hiking. Of course, there was music and song cards during this process… and so much Granola!

We honor the skills Questers arrived with prior to this summer’s hike by pairing them up, and (after some studying) allowing them to present backcountry techniques to each other.  Topics included using camp stoves, fire building, hanging bear bags and how to poop in the woods.

After a Quester party (Canadian themed of course) and their last bites of ice cream for over a month, the groups were off! Both groups are being resupplied this weekend and we’ll be seeing them again next at Clarendon Gorge, mile 85, next Wednesday and Friday.

Stay tuned!