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Sunday–October 24, 2021
Trail Day–247
Trail Mile–13.2/2471.7
Remaining Miles–146.1
Location–MA-2, North Adams (597.6) to Outlook Ave., Cheshire (610.8), then to home of Whitman & Anne (Peale) Groves, Williamstown, Massachusetts
Barry is up before daylight as usual, headlamp on, brewing coffee. Then comes the customary fried egg and cheese breakfast sandwich–never tire of that combination!
I’ve a climb in excess of 2,500 feet to reach the summit of Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. Slim Jim is hiking with me, helping me pick the right line. A couple of lesser summits on the way, Mount Williams and Mount Fitch. It’s a long, hard pull. We finally gain the summit a little after one. There’s an auto road to Greylock, and with this being a delightful Sunday, the place is packed. A long wait to climb the memorial tower. Instead, we take a break for lunch with Barry, get a few photos–and move on.
The trail follows the ridge, up and over Saddle Ball Mountain before finally dropping down to Outlook Road, our destination for today.
The medication prescribed by Tracy has blunted the pain in my left foot. It’s not entirely gone, but enough so to let me concentrate on the trail, the tread of which has also improved significantly. Fewer rocks and roots, little mud. So, I’m actually able to stride normally, making good time. I’ve tripped some but have not fallen during this somewhat extended 13-mile day. Ahh, but do the blessings of this journey continue…
Any unforeseen challenges that crop up
are only there to test your resolve
on your way to ultimate success in reaching your goal.
(Byron Pulsifer)
