ZERO IN STRATTON
AT Day 111: Thursday, July 27, 2023
SOBO Mile 2012 – 2010
Cranberry Stream Campsite – Route 27, Stratton
Distance Hiked – 2 miles/3.2 km
Total Distance Hiked:1847 miles/2972 km
Cranberry Stream campsite was quite a nice spot. There were four other southbound hikers camped here when we arrived last night. In hindsight we were really pleased to have stopped here as it will give us a full day in Stratton today.
We broke camp around 6am and hiked the two miles to the road. There was one other hiker already there hitching to Stratton. He was a skinny young man from Sweden and we didn’t get around to learning his name so we called him Swedish Fish. He was friendly and has had a tough time hiking through New Hampshire with cuts and bruises to show for it. Early in the morning it was mainly truck traffic on Route 27 and we waited for about 20 minutes before a lady in a Subaru with a huge dog in the passenger seat and a dead plant in the back stopped to give us a ride. I rode in the boot with the packs while Hammer and Swedish Fish were squeezed in the backseat with the dead plant.
By the time we got to Stratton it had started to rain. We were dropped off at the Flagstaff General Store and had a coffee while waiting for the grill to open at 8 to get a breakfast burrito. It was worth the wait, the vegetarian burrito was delicious.
It was after 10am when the motel owner showed up and we could check into our room. Resupply shopping was easy as the store was across the road, laundry and shower soon after and we were ready to put our feet up. It continued to rain for the rest of the day.
I’ve worked out that my knee pain is most likely to be caused by a torn meniscus, not the bone fracture spot. And this I think I can manage over the remaining distance of the hike.
We were happy to have had mostly good weather for the past 10 days. We hope for just a little bit more good weather over the remaining 352 miles.
Fingers crossed the knee settles down – such an amazing journey – take care 🥰
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Thank you Maree. It’s been very cooperative 🙏
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Dear Hammer and Corky. I read your post from Switzerland and i miss the trail, but now is time to take care of my two young children, James (3) and Jona(4 months). If you run into Napoleon on the AT or see any record of his passage in a logbook please let me know because i think he lost his phone since June 25th i have no news and his son is asking for him and i am worried with this flood thing im reading on your blog!! He was hiking with his little girlfriend kristen (we are separated) near wind gap on june 21st. If you see him tell him to call me +41512828123 or mail me noemiecotton@hotmail.com. keep safe and see you soon on trail. You guys rule. Red Cross
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Hi Red Cross
We do so often think about you and Napoleon, especially thinking of you hiking with James in 2020. So disappointed to hear of the separation. We will definitely keep an eye out. We are southbound through New Hampshire and heading to Vermont so should cross paths if he is on the AT. Could he be hiking the Long Trail in Vermont?
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Honestly… no clue. But i would say he is more likely to stick to the AT, its hikerboxes and trail magic than diverting to the LT. If you see him or read his name in a logbook I’d love to know -and his kids too- that he’s alive! You guys be safe out there and see you on the flip side hahah
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