What was cool today

(Not the weather!)

Monday, Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 - remembering my friends and classmates who gave their lives in Vietnam.

But Hatch Brook was very cool. I let my water bottle chill there, sat in the cool breeze that was rolling down the valley, had a snack, then returned to the sweaty hiking.

The view from Pine Knob was the coolest vista of the day. It's a part of a popular loop trail from a huge parking area off US 7 in Housatonic Meadows State Park.

Roger's Ramp was more fun (for me) than the Lemon Squeezer.  It suffers from an image problem though - just not a very 'sexy' name.  It's very similar yet steeper than the Lemon Squeezer and with a similar blind approach from below passing under the overhang of a gigantic boulder. And it has a similar tilt, just enough to make it a challenge when carrying a backpack. The photo doesn't do it justice, it's steep enough to require using your hand (in a little narrow crack to the right) to help get up and down. And, yes, the air in this crevice was wonderfully cool.

Despite the heat, I felt strong and energetic today.  I ate more last night.  I had been losing too much weight - maybe 3 or 4 pounds under my healthy hiking weight.  I like to keep my weight around 150, but had drifted down below 147 in the past week.  It's amazing how much difference that makes.  On the trail, most thru-hikers start a bit overweight and trim down.  I started already at my healthy minimum (Body Mass Index around 19), and just need to maintain.  Most thru-hikers complain about their trail food.  This I do not understand.  There are so many good choices in low-moisture foods that need no refrigeration - it baffles me why hikers don't all carry only foods that they absolutely love - foods they need to be careful not to over-indulge in.  I know that's true for me.  The stuff I carry on the trail is stuff I love to eat off the trail as well.

Oh ... one last 'cool' sight - a bit of white blaze graffiti:

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Below is a map of today's hike.  The title line is a link that takes you to more photos and information.

AT Day 135 - Roger's Ramp, Pine Knob at EveryTrail
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