From Grace and Marissa (the resupply/support dream-team duo)
Grace and I spent the past 5 days on the Long Trail, about 2 and a half days with each group. Each quester is getting the chance to be “Leader of the Day” (with supervision). The Leader of the Day is responsible for waking everyone up in the morning, setting the pace on the trail, and deciding when and where lunch will take place. They’re learning important leadership skills by delegating responsibilities once they get into camp. They’re learning how to hang a bear bag, find water, set up tents, cook dinner, how to work together as a team, and the importance of caring for each other as a community. The cogs in the machine are starting to mesh and both groups are chugging along!
We celebrated Independence Day with the Robbins with some sparklers and marked their progress! We got into camp early the next day and enjoyed some free time singing songs, playing games, and making burritos for dinner. Later that night, we endured the first thunderstorm of the trip during the night of July 5th while safe and (mostly) dry in our tents at our campsite. The following morning, the Robbins received their resupply with a little bit of candy and apples, as they headed toward mile 70!
The Taylors are very much enjoying themselves. They’re a lively group and love having fun. We met them at Story Springs Shelter and enjoyed a night of painting nails, eating burritos, and singing songs around a fire as they dried out their boots from that day’s rain. The next day we had a leisurely hike into camp with beautiful, cooler weather. We set up camp, played some fun card games, wrote letters, and threw around Matthew’s Beamo Frisbee, followed by amazing pesto quinoa dinner. The following morning we started early to summit Stratton Mountain and found an awesome fire tower at the top. We got to see some amazing views of Killington Peak and the surrounding area from there! We met up with the resupply van at Stratton Resort. Our teenage thru-hikers were stoked to have muffins and strawberries waiting for them! Then they were off for a big hike as they break the 50-mile mark!
Despite beginning in the heat and hiking in the rain, both groups are in high spirits and are enjoying the trails as they bond with one another, learn how to lead, and work together as a team! Both groups will be reaching mile 85 when we see them next near Clarendon this Wednesday and Friday, and we will write again soon about their progress!
Happy Trails,
Marissa, Quester Coordinator
Grace, Field Specialist