Journey’s End - Farm & Wilderness

“With the last resupply underway, the Long Trail Questers are wrapping up their month-long journey to Canada! They are 33 days into their 36-day expedition and are less than 35 miles from the finish line at Journey’s End.

During the previous resupply, I finished up one of their hardest days with them. They had a 12.3-mile day, which entailed going up and down Mount Mansfield, the tallest peak in VT, resupplying at mile 9 of the day (which was where I joined them), and then climbing another few miles to Sterling Pond. It was a very hard day for both groups, and I cannot emphasize enough how proud I am of them for pulling through and accomplishing those 12.3 miles. That day took a lot of perseverance and grit.

They were rewarded with a “zero-day” at a beautiful campsite on the ski trails of Smuggler’s Notch with great views of the rolling mountains and the pond, including a lodge at the top of the mountain that is originally used during ski season but is open to thru-hikers during the summer. Both groups spent time in the lodge writing letters, playing Catan, and getting their nails painted a variety of colors. Everyone slept in and some took naps, and the Taylors even took the chance to bathe a bit in the pond!

As I write this update, both groups are in the final phase of their expedition where they “group solo” for three days. The questers have been given the skills needed to backpack in the wilderness and have been practicing these skills for 30 days, and in this last segment of the trip, your teenagers lead themselves through the backcountry. They know how to lead, they know the itinerary, they have their maps, med kit, food, and plenty of wilderness wits, and they’re hiking without the leaders for three days. Of course, the leaders are still with them in some sense – they hike behind the group, just out of sight and they camp near the group, but nowhere to be seen. They hang out away from the group, and the teens know if they need them they can find them, but the questers have this sense of separation that makes them feel like they’re really on their own which is an awesome experience.

They are all missing home, but are making the best of the few days left in the woods and are ready to conquer what is left of the Long Trail and take a hot shower when they get back. They are almost there!!!

Happy Trails,

Marissa, Quester Coordinator