Long Trail E2E Traditions?

[Jofish]

I was wondering if there are any Long Trail traditions for End-To-Enders. I know that there are a bunch of the for the AT (and there are many threads discussing it), but I haven't been able to find any mentions of traditions for the LT. Thoughts?

[johnnyblisters]

The main tradition is to walk from VT to Canada...

But for real, I plan on consuming lots of long trail ale when I get there!

[emerald]

Vermont to Canada could be a short hike depending upon where one starts. I'd suggest starting with one foot in Massachusetts and ending at Journey's End.

When temperatures climb into the 80s and beyond, I think I would be refreshed most by cold, mountain spring water, but you might want to try a Long Trail Belgian White.

I enjoyed a meal at what I believe was called China Barn in Waitsfield late in a long day many years ago and arrived at Birch Glen as darkness fell having listened to wood thrushes along the way. It may have been about as good a day as one could have and might only be improved by substituting Belgian White for Chinese beer, but I believe the restaurant closed years ago and the shelter's been replaced.

Make your own traditions. You need not order from the menu.

[emerald]

If you come across GMC's Long Trail Patrol, offer to assist them with whatever time you can spare or at least take a few moments to ask them about the work they are doing.

[emerald]

Learn to identify a White-throated Sparrow and make a point of both seeing and hearing at least one in the course of your hike.

[Cookerhiker]

I'm sure everyone who hikes NOBO gets a photo with one foot in VT and one in Canada.

Don't know f this is a "tradition" but it is a practice by lots of LT end-to-enders: Skip the White Blaze coming off Killington (NOBO) and hike the blue-blaze down to Sherburne Pass. Enjoy a Guinness or the brew of your choice at the Inn at the Long Trail, perhaps stay for a meal of Shepherds Pie, take in the Irish music at night. When you're ready to resume, continue taking the blue-blaze until the white blaze joins you in about a mile.

[Tinker]

Doing a NOBO, it's customary (for guys) to stand in the USA and pee into Canada (sorry, Canada! ).

[emerald]

If the weather is clear and not too windy, plan on visiting with GMC's ranger-naturalists on Camels Hump and Mount Mansfield. Listen while they tell you all they're willing about alpine vegetation and why they are there to help interpret it.

Then, see if you can stump them with a question. It will demonstate you were paying attention and may serve to make them even better at what they were put there to do.

[joehiker22]

Doing a NOBO, it's customary (for guys) to stand in the USA and pee into Canada (sorry, Canada! ).

yep.
the first thing I did when I hit the border was take my pack off, pee into canada, eat m&ms.

[emerald]

I'll send at my expense anyone who has serious intentions of hiking it my copy of Green Mountain Adventure, Vermont's LONG TRAIL signed by its author and personalized in recognition of my E2E on the condition it's handled with care, read from cover to cover and passed on to someone else under the same conditions. Read it in preparation for your own E2E and when you have completed your own hike, help introduce someone else to The Long Trail's rich history.

[Quoddy]

I'd say that a photo at the border marker is a must at the completion of a NOBO E-2-E hike. (It's tricky getting a foot in each country when the camera is on a timer)

[Yukon]

I can't wait to get that picture this September!

[vonfrick]

i've done the LT twice and so far my only tradition has been to pick up trash left by other hikers

[johnnyblisters]

Same here Jofish, can't wait to start (and finish) my work season (and final internship!) then do an E2E.