I've just done a Trail Journal with some photos on my LT Section hike over at TrailJournals.com.
2012 - Long Trail: Trail Name - "Noboat"
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=393230
"Noboat" was the trailname I used for my 2010 AT sectoin hike, but for this 2012 LT hike I just used "Florida Mike". Was a lot easier to explain to folks on the trail when asked "who are you? and where are you from?"
I read 10-K's very helpful LT report after his August hike, used some of his tips, and helped me decide which sleeping bag to take. I just read Sam's LT hike report, he must have been up there about the time I was.
Hike Distance: 163 miles (Southern Terminus to Appalachian Gap)
Hike Duration: 11 days (9/5 - 9/15)
Longest day: 19 miles (Inn at Long Trail to Sunrise Shelter)
Notes:
1. I recommend Dave Ackerson in North Adams, MA for shuttle rides from Albany airport to Williamstown, MA. He's dependable and on time. I flew up from Florida on Southwest Air, great airlines, no baggage fees.
2. I used the Howard Johnsons in Williamstown, MA my first nite before hitting the trail. It was clean, fair price and only a short hike down Rt-2 from the AT trail crossing. I hiked the AT instead of the Pine Cobble Trail up the Southern Terminus. Colonial Pizza across the street from Hojos is good pizza too.
3. I took a cheapie Verizon flipphone. Very spotty coverage along the LT. Verizon gets the best coverage in the southern Appalachians along the AT. But up in Vermont, I found out that AT&T has better coverage. So next year I'm taking a cheapie AT&T Gophone. Anyone up there who can comment on that is appreciated.
4. From my perspective, I thought the LT became more difficult north of Brandon Gap (Vt-73). I'm not disagreeing with 10-K, since I did not hike the entire trail E2E this year. I agree that north of Lincoln Gap was harder, it just seemed to me that north of Brandon Gap was tough too. Not a big deal. Next year I'll hopefully do the entire E2E and find out what is north of App Gap.
5. For early September, with nite temps high 30s to 40s, the Western Mountaineering Highlite (35deg) bag was perfect. If I got chilly, I just added another base layer (Cap-2 or Cap-3 base layer) and a fleece cap.
6. I used Aqua Mira like usual, it worked fine. But I'm beginning to think I'm using the Sawyer Squeeze next hike. It's lightweight, dependable, and compatible with the Evernew water bladders.
7. I love using the GU-Brew lemon lime or NUUN cucumber mint hydration tablets to mix with water in a 20 oz Gatorade bottle to sip on all day while hiking. They are lightweight and like drinking Gatorade.
8. Avoid the Autumn Inn in Bennington, VT. What a nightmare hotel. It should not be listed in the LT End to End Guidebook.
9. I liked the Long Trail End to End Guide Book, but it does still mention a snack bar at top of Killington. NOT there!! lol
10. The GMC Long Trail map was somewhat useful, but I think I could probably get by with just the End to End Guidebook.
11. Did not bring rain pants on this hike, but the last day it got a bit chilly hiking from Battel Shelter to App Gap in cold rain/drizzle. I'll probably bring rain pants for a September LT hike next year.
12. The Inn at Long Trail was good. Food was great, but I agree with 10-K on not having a TV in your room, that kind of drives me crazy too, especially for watching the Weather Channel in your room to get the latest predictions.
13. Sutton's House in Manchester Center is a great boarding house, close to everything in town. Jeff's Hostel was closed the day before I got to Manchester Center.
14. The Waitsfield Inn in Waitsfield is fantastic. The owners John and Vicky went overboard helping me when I stayed there my last day.
15. Early September there are a LOT of college kids out on orientation hikes in southern Vermont.
16. I love those Golite hiking shorts, best hiking shorts I've ever used, no chafing problems at all.
17. No foot blister problems at all this hike with Montrail AT plus shoes and Patagoochie UL merino wool crew socks, and green Superfeet. Those socks are very thin, almost like liner socks. I also used Hydropel, and I think it helps.
18. I went the regular white blaze trail near Killington, did not do the detour. No problems doing it.
19. Again one of the biggest challenges for me on this hike was planning resupply and how many days food to carry! Being in Florida, its one thing to sit and look at a map and trail profiles, and try to estimate how many miles/day I could do. I sent too much food in my mail drops and had to send home food. This always a challenge, I think I'll send one days less food than i think I need next year, and never carry more than 3 days food. there are lot of road crossings on the LT. Maybe further north near the end of the trail this is a different situation.
20. NO bugs up there, just a few gnats and black flies. Heaven compared to hiking the Florida Trail!!
21. For next year, I've got decide which is more important. Hike later in September to see more fall colors, or start in late August to avoid carrying more winter gear. Hmmmm... that one will have to wait.
overall a fantastic hike, met some good people, some I hope to stay in contact with....thanks everyone here for their suggestions. I love the LT and Vermont, would live there July-September if I could!
Happy Trails!