Vermont Long Trail with the Hickery Brothers...Part 1
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Vermont Long Trail....www.greenmountainclub.org
Filmed with my Sony DSC HX-80 digital camera.
Shug's Swag Shop....teespring.com/stores/shugs-sw...
The Vermont Long Trail is something I have had my eye on for quite a while. My wife Meg and I have visited Vermont many a time as my daughter Aerial was a trouper with Circus Smirkus for 3 seasons. www.smirkus.org/about-big-top-...
I would always drive to a trailhead to put my feet on the trail. It looked magical as it went up and over the Green Mountains.
So Hickery and I just did 8 days on it and found that the magic is real.
Fall was a bit late in Vermont this year due to a dry September. We hit it at peak! So Vermonty.
After a 24 hour drive for me from Minnesota we started at the Northern Terminus that starts at Canada. I will say now that the trail goes up and down and up and down. The builders of the trail do not believe in switchbacks. Straight up. Straight down.
A tougher trail than I anticipated and the North end is known to be the more difficult and isolated end.
The first day proved to us that we would not be making the milage I expected us to make. My normal pace is about 2.5 miles an hour. But not on this trail. More like 1 mile per hour. The Long Trail was leafy and wet and rocky, rooty and slippery and steep. Dig in boys!
My new Salomon Quad boots that I went up a half size in (normal shoe 10…new boots 11) since bad feet on my Border Route thru hike proved a stellar move. My feet were good and happy the whole trip with no toe discomfort or blisters.
I used my DIY Blackcrow tarp, Dutchware Chameleon hammock, my DIY Frankenquilt UQ and Hammockgear 20º Shug Special TQ. Also used my UQ protector a couple of times.
A tip of the Shug hat to my Black Diamond flick lock hiking poles. They were my most useful and helpful piece of gear! Saved me many a time and helped me up and down the mountains. I used a new-for-me push/pull pole technique by planting my right pole behind me to push up the rocks and my left pole up in front with my hand slid down the shaft to pull me up. Some very high steps up the rocks and roots of the trail in many places.
On this trail you are not just walking and sauntering down the trail. It is very technical in places and you are really more climbing than hiking. Putting trust in a root to help you up and if you were to slip and fall back it could be a game changer. Seriously.
The Vermont woods are amazing. The moss alone is worth the walk. The cabins and shelters the Green Mountain Club provides along the trail are really nice. Now…I usually dislike shelters. Find them gloomy. But the Long Trial cabins and 3 sided shelters are really pleasant and interesting. I never slept in them but it is where you want to stop to camp as that is where you can find reliable water. The water sources along the trail are few and far between. We had torrential rain so that helped for sure. Weather was everything from muggy to cold. A low of 31º one morning.
Also the Long Trail privys are great. They are mouldering privys www.greenmountainclub.org/pri... are well built. So fun to have the morning constitutional in one.
Many trails could take a note from these. I love when poop is all in one spot and not dropped hither and yon in the woods with toilet paper dropped on top for all to see. Nasty!
We had two cars since both of us drove up to Vermont so we did the car to car thing. We re-booted and shuttled once and it does eat up most of the day to get to a car…drive back to the car on the northern trailhead…re-boot the meals, fuel, toilet paper and such…..drive to next end point trailhead and then drive back to where we first egressed for the day. All the while being distracted by food and maple syrup. But no one would ever pick us up to hitch into town to re-supply so this was good for us.
It was a real treat to see how the maple trees are tapped and the sap runs down tubes hanging in the forest pulled by gravity and helped with vacuum pumps. I spoke with a Sugar Man at length about the maple syrup life. Very interesting. We sipped syrup and chatted.
In the end we made about 50 hard-earned miles. From the North terminus to Codding Hollow Road Trailhead.
But this trip was about just spending some time together as this is usually the only time we see each other all year. We have been friends for over 40 years.
It was about enjoying the woods. But the competitive walking spirit still wants to make more miles.
I found the home of the Maple King in his Kingdom. As usual thrilling and disturbing.
What a walk. What a time.
All secure in sector seven and sticky from maple syrup,
Shug - Розваги
Thank god. I was having a pretty crap morning. Watching this helped a lot. Thanks for all you do man. You lift more spirits then you think.
We live to serve.
Glad to see that the Maple King is alive and well. It's been a while.
He waits he waits.
Whooo Buddy, The Hickery Brothers are back.
Doesn't get any better than this :-)))))
Fun it was. Sad it is over.
Absolutely outstanding. Long Trail miles are hard earned. Take care, Al
We so enjoyed being up in your neck of the world.
Finished thru hiking the Long Trail a few days ago. Every time it was rainy/windy or just a little crappy, I shouted a big "whooo buddy" and laughed it off :o) Thanks for all your videos and inspiration to go out and embrace life!
Congratulations on thruing the VLT!!! No easy task that. Whoooooooo Buddy)))))
THE MAPLE KING!!!!!
What a beautiful area you two chose to hike. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Amazing State that Vermont!
You guys are terrific. Don"t ever stop. I would be more than sad. Stay well out there
We plan not to stop. Old men walking.
The Hickery brothers together again . .. Excellent !
My names Sean...his names Kent....
The hickery brothers are back!! Thanks for the great vids shug. I switched to hammocks about 2 years ago thanks to you and get out to the woods every chance I get for a great nights sleep. Woo buddy!!
Such good snooze....Whooooo Buddy))))
Ya know ... if'n you can't be in the woods with the Hickery Brothers ... it's mighty fine to just see them in the Piney Woods being themselves! Looking forward to part duce! LOVE ME SUM MAPLE KING!!!!!!!!
Yessir. Got your call today. Wow. Just wow.
Yeah ... exactly
Cocoa...cocoa...even the queen don't have cocoa! Always love the Hickery Brothers trips. Thanks for sharing
Can't believe it is already over.
You guys crack me up! Thank you for making my day.
Our pleasure.
Hickory brothers and the Maple King in the state of maple trees, AWESOME! Loved that dark music leading up to Kings home, VERY ominous
Thankee. Nothing like bassoons and oboes.
Oh, man! The long trail! Definitely on my hiking bucket list. The northern part is supposed to be some real rugged and technical hiking. Looking forward to following the rest of this adventure. Also would love to see a "what's in my pack" video for this trip.
Pretty much my regular pack load.
Stunning mate stunning views lovin the videos from the UK keep em coming
Cheers and jellied eels!
I've been having an awful week, this put a smile on my face. Thanks boys!
Whoooooo Buddy)))))
So lovely to see the trail again! I thruhiked in August. So fun relive those memories and see you two experience some of it. Enjoy!
Congratulations on that...no easy feat!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 fantastic, you two crack me up. Beautiful scenery and forest trail.
Amazing trail and tough. But so much glory.
Glad you enjoyed Vermont, Shug! You were hiking in my back yard, practically. I love living here, awesome winter camping as well. Keep the awesome videos coming!
We plan to go back and do more sometime. I very much love Vermont and learned what a "dilt" is.
I love your hike trips you get some great footage. That area with the border was beautiful. Thanks fellas!
So glorious up there for sure.
Really appreciate what you do, great video!
Thankee and Y'elcome.
Wow, what a challenge!! Proud of you both!!! Great vid, nice to see youre in a different enviroment. BRAVO!!!!!!
Knees are still creakin'.....
Wow that trail looks hard, man! But the shooting star shelter looks cool to hang there and Mcgiver was cool too! I feel your 24h drive! Ouch!
been missing these videos Shug...thank for keeping them coming.
We only get once a year for the most part. Treasured time!
Wow.. very cool!!
Thanks for the video
Yessir. As always...goes by to quickly.
Love the way you sing the crazy song! :)
I say thankee. Fun song.
Great videos , enjoyed the maple king. Laughing. Good to see my husband and I aren’t the only folks who under estimate what can be done. Nice trip 🍁
Thankee Virginia>>>>>
It's great to just be out in the woods or in my case the Grand Canyon this time of year. Thanks for the video's.🤣😃😂
Be happy down there!
nice video ,thanks again , 1 mile a hour on that neck of the world is just about right
good to know. Good tough trail.
Good stuff as always Shug!
Thankee.
Love the Hickery brothers(Maple King)adventures! Just got back from beautiful Virginia. Hiked from Catawba to Mcafee Knob to Tinker Cliffs. Omgoodness..such beauty and extremely challenging! Best therapy ever! Happy Trails....
Hickery lives in VA. Glad you got out there.....
Good challenging hike! Very good Shug and I'll watch part 2 when I get back from my next adventure.
Have a right goodie out there.
Looks beautiful
Amazing it was.
u always put me in a good mood shug ,thanks man
👍
Great to watch Shug I’m on for the next👍
Whooooooo Buddy))))
So jealous of this trip. Had a backpacking trip planned for this weekend but it got cancelled. Glad to see you've been out there greeting the leaves as they change.
Hate when that happens. Soon for you I hope,
Great video! Thank you!
Y'elcome.
Nice looks like a large time had...can’t wait for part two..WHOOO BUDDDYYY
A very large time fo' sho'
Loving this video Hickery Brothers. New England is my neck of the woods.
A wonderful neck it is.
LOL!!! im playing catch-up and when you said a few vids back your going to a place where going has a lot of maples!! it was ether NY or VT in my head. luvin it!!
Vermont state of mind.........
thats what i said when i lived there.
Great stuff!
Thankee.
I like your singing and playing. Great cover. I start my LT hike on Saturday. North bound. Just me and my little hound mix, Maggie. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I can not wait.
We hope to go back for more of the VLT someday. Savor every moment! Whooooo Buddy))))
hickery brothers! nice video. thx for sharing
Whoooooo Buddy)))))
Excellent!!! Looks like you had a great workout!!.....The Maple King Rules!!!!
legs still burning.
Funny as he'll guys love it.. I thru hiked the AT in 2016 paddled the Mississippi this summer and going from the everglades to the north end of the long trail starting Jan 8th.
Wow! That is impressive. Right goodie and get it on!
So glad to see The Hickery Brothers back on the trail, and at only 1/2 an hour from my place in Québec. I was there, at these two shelters with my son this summer, if only I knew, I would have waited to have a chance to meet the both of you, as always enjoy you video so much, merci à toi Shug et au Roi Des Érables...
Salut! We met a few hikers from Québec. I even ate a few Coffee Crisps.
McGiever got sooper lucky having you guys as camp mates.
and she was a hammocker!
#badasswomancampers
😉
The Eastern woods sure are magical aren't they! What we lack in lung busting, alpine heights, we make up for in our no-nonsense, straight up the mountain, rock strewn trails.
As always; Love your stuff man, you're an inspiration! Thanks!
That whole state is magical. Truly.
WHoooooooooooo buddy! What a great trip! Qould love to get out on the Long Trail at some point. Thanks, Shug!!
You should but be prepared...quite a tough one.
It's a while since I viewed a Shug video, but I'm happy to see we had a Maple King and an EARLY!!!! within the first minute! 😂😂😂
Good to see you. Or at least your typing.
Shug, so glad you could come to Vermont and see our lovely Long Trail!!! I finished it last fall so it was cool for me to revisit the shelters and get your worthy confirmation on the difficulty level of that section. And when you mentioned hot dogs on Jay Peak, i recalled the delightful find of bacon wrapped Vermont McKenzie dogs on top there. I devoured one and it was delish! And I do recall the "backside" of Jay being a beastly steep trek. My favorite shelter was the Shooting Star shelter with the finicky water pump. On my hike, it rained the night we stayed there and in the morning, there was a nice little river that flowed right under the shelter and into a big pond out front, so that water (filtered and boiled) sufficed for that morning's breakfast. I also really liked the little cabin near the top of Belvidere, which you appeared to be waiting out the rain in. So sorry you got so heavily rained on this fall. I hope you will come back and do the Mt Mansfield and south section along the Monroe Skyline, which is pretty spectacular most Septembers, (and hope for some clear days so you can see the amazing views. ) Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Fond memories for me.
I can't wait to get back and get that walk over Mansfield and cry a little bit on my boots!
Sorry I was eating lunch during the Privy tour... yak. But so glad to get a notification that there's the latest edition of the Hickery Bro's adventures. Thankeeee!!
My regrets.....fact of camping though.
Started NB section hiking this trail in may of this year from Williamstown, MA. Will be back next weekend for another 20 miler to Bromley.
Robs (BA) vids of this trail inspired me to get up there and do it.. thanks for sharing Shug-- awesome to see you on the Long Trail!!
stowe18 You've got to stay at the warming hut atop Bromley, one of the prettiest sunset/sunrise spots on the Trail!
Thanks for the info-- I just hope it's not as muddy as this past Memorial Day..
We shall return too!
Someone needs to develop a show called 'Shug and the maple king'. Two old guys who roam the woods and find interesting things (writers discretion) while showing the world that hammocks are the perfect way of recreation.
something is happening! mapleking.com/
This IS that Show!!! We run the ship. Thankee.
They really are just pups . I can say that cuz I am really old
Great seeing the Hickery Brothers getting the band back together for a Vermont tour with the ever popular Maple King. Whooooo Buddy.
It was a tremendous blast. Buns still burning.
Can't wait for the second half.
Sounds like The Maple King has had enough medicine!!!!!! 😂😂😂 Love your videos
He never really has enough medicine. But it loosens him up wink wink
Thanks so much. We love these.
Cup your hand in front of pump spout to hold the primer water in pitcher. Makes the priming suction work better in your favor.
All HAIL THE KING
Thankee for the tip.
Great stuff man! Made my Tuesday better.
Glad to hear that.
1980 End2Ender. A group of us 11th graders from Richmond Virginia completed The Long Trail in 32 days. Great adventure !
tough bunch ya'll.........we plan to be back to do more. Maybe get a week. Hope so.
Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools was with us !
Thank you Shug. Always entertaining. After watching your upbeat attitude in bad weather it made me ashamed of myself because I complain at times about not being able to enjoy different views and adventures during rain and fog.(I almost said bad weather) but when you can hike in this beautiful world that GOD gave us all conditions are good. Thanks again!
Gotta be upbeat....nature makes the decisions out there.
No way!!!! I live here!!!!! Wish I had seen ya on the trail!
We ate at Jay country store 3 times!
Had it give it a like before watching ,Love me some Hickery brothers
Thankeethumbly...
New Shug video made my day!
Thankee.
Thank God you have posted up a new video! Now I don't have to be bored when I'm waiting for my bus home :D
Glas to serve!...!
I was waiting for this.....hope you got dem whoopie pies.
My family is from VT and as it turns out the day you started on your insane southbound hike (nobo is much more sensible) I was ending my 40 mile section hike from Maine Junction near Killington to rte 125. Relentless is exactly the right word. Much tougher than expected. But absolutely glorious!
Looking forward to the rest of the vids.
I did eat a couple. Brought a few home too.
Hilarious! I hiked the LT in 2019, I had a great time but it was nothing like that; I think you guys had a lot more fun! Thanks for sharing!
It was a truly fun time. Hard trail up North. We been say in we need to get back and do next section. Just enjoyed being in Vermont. Always have.
Did you love your 2019 Thru??
@@shugemery i really enjoyed the LT! It was very difficult, AT New Hampshire and Maine difficult, but very rewarding. Met some great hikers on my trip. Will be looking at your other content? Keep the laughs coming 😄 Love the Maple King!
@@thegreatexaggerator9077 Whooooo Buddy)))
Love your hammock videos. I'm getting into hammock camping myself and your information has been invaluable. And I'm looking to do the long trail in a few years when the wee one is old enough. Since I live in NH seems like a decent goal. This is one of the best videos I've found on line of people hiking the LT. Most are either too short, or the people don't show much more than themselves hiking not much about the nature and the ambiance of it all. Thanks for the great video, really getting me more motivated to hit the trail.
I hope to get back to it someday. Thanks.
OMG, you showed the poop in the privi. Love those well pumps. Another great video Shug.
Had to. Poop and privy goes together like me and Hickery!
LOL this is a lot of fun! 👍🙂👍
No one had more fun that us....thankee.
Love this Shug, thanks for taking me home for a spell
What a fantastic state Vermont is. I love the no billboards on the highways.
Fantastic video Shug! It's great to see the Hickory Bros. tearing up them trails once again... And that Maple King feller... He's a bit...vermonty???😆
I think that trail tore us up!
Great cover of crazy!!! You should do a video of just that shug!!!
Thanks feller.
You were not far from us I wish we had known...Central VT is where it's at!!! Enjoy the walk!....Love the vids and of course the Hickory Brothers trail experience's ..Hike on!!
Sure love Vermont!
We finished the Long Trail on October 4th. We headed south-bound too! The first 125 miles of that trail was hard and that stretch to Tillotson Camp was no joke :)
Glad we are not the only ones who though it was a toughie. But ever-so fun.
Nice. Rain or not, your eyes were glowing with joy. I was beginning to think that the Maple King had decided to head farther south for some drier weather, but Maple King ain't no wimp.
Kinda like it tough...especially when it is over!
Looked another good trip. Never heard crazy played on mandolin before, different. I think the maple king is stalking you guys. Every time the hickory brothers go out, he pops up somewhere.
Though I needed to try it that way. Twisty lil' song.
LT end-to-ender in 1999 here. Thanks for jogging my memory.
Congrats on that! No small feat.
I did south to north. I was a machine by the time I finished. No way I could have started in the north!
So when you hear the word “early” and you respond with glee ...Early “...love the Hickory Brothers! I seriously lost it when you did theChip and Dale dance thingy!! And the privy review...omg love! You are my favorite youtube person...Ever. Not only are our ages similar l..we are clowns👍🏻😆oh and your help with the hammock camper...love love it👍🏻❤️
We always say EARLY after the Brad Pitt character in movie Kalifornia. Not sure why we do it but we do.
Clown Life!
You guys are some funny dudes! Love it. :)
We just feel like 13 year olds on the woods and get giddy.
@@shugemery I can definitely relate.😂
Most definitely my all time favorite trail. Rob from backpacking adventures got me hooked on it 2 years ago when we did a few days on the trail and I went back early this summer and got another 75 miles in. Still hope to get another 30 in before its full on winter up there.
Great video as usual. Looks like you had a blast.
Too cool. How is Rob and where did he go? Vanished from hammock forums.
shugemery He is doing well, been playing lots of gigs. I'm sure he'll be back around.
happy to hear that. What is his gig?
shugemery He's been taking his music more seriously and playing some acoustic blues around CNY.
LOL! Hilarious! I was just wondering if you were doing any hiking this Autumn and this video dropped in. Great to see Vermont. For hiking though, I think I'll stick with the flat, sandy soils of N. MI. forests. I do feel your pain. Keep up the illustrious work!
A stroll as opposed to a climb sounds nice.
Great rendition of Crazy. Gnarls Barkley does a great live (slow) version, my fav...your song made me smile, thanks:)
Thanks. One take wonder here! Tough lil' song....
Thought you also might like 2CELLOS..Thunderstruck ua-cam.com/video/uT3SBzmDxGk/v-deo.html
Love the rain! You could post a vid of just rain on the shelter and I'd b happy ...
Sure was a lot of it.....
I did 10 days (110 miles) NOBO on the LT a few years ago. Started in N.Adams, Mass. It rained 9 days straight. Yes, the "green tunnel" of Vermont will test your internal fortitude. That is a fact! My hardest day of hiking, ever, was a lonely 8-mile stretch on the LT. Not hard because of miles....but, because of the mental hurdles. Overcoming that taught me alot about myself. It's "real" out there!
Yessir...tough trail that.
hahaha the maple king bit is still just the best
A maple treat.....ua-cam.com/video/8N0ADcmIv2Q/v-deo.html
The Maple King!!!!!!! Waited so long for this, too long!!
For you.....ua-cam.com/video/tU8bqJOMo2E/v-deo.html
I have fallen in love with the Hickery Brothers 😍
We are lovable if you like ogres!
looked tough Shug but as always you made it so entertaining...time to watch the rest now, with a nice glass of Chianti sat on my @rse
Sounds nice....Chianti and sitting!
LOL you crack me right up all the time.
So fun.
Looks like a normal trip in Norway. Got my share of the rain this summer. But the 🍁 🤴 endures!
I was in Norway many years a go. I loved it. So beautiful and yes..mountianous. I was doing a cruise through the fjords and went to North Cape.
shugemery last year i took my family on a road trip there. Beautiful 👍🏻
Always makes my day when a Hickory Brothers video pops up! You are two cool dudes! Linville in your future?
Hickery may go next wek. Not I though.
Awww yis! Ive been waiting for this!
Us too!
Nice thunderhut at that shelter.
Yessir!
Tomfoolery of the Hickery Brother's was on my menu ! There was certainty no disappointing moments of the bill of fare. The Maple King is always appreciated when sighted within his kingdom of darkness!
🤣❤👍
Early! Love it! You know, Shug, it wouldn’t take much for the Maple King to become a horror movie!
Haaa...it is a horror to me!
Welcome to New England, Hickery Bros! We've got some rugged trails, eh?
For sure. They wanted to get over the mountains quickly.
Oh glory! New shug-vid :) not a minute too 00:59
EARLY!!!
I just got a campervan so I could put my photography degree to good use and stay a few weeks or more at each location I go to. After seeing this video I finally purchased two mmm.... that's a purdy boil shirts to remember one of the people that pushed me to do what I want outdoors. Plus show off to the other RV'ers I got a purdy boil going on.
That is great and thankee for that.
The Maple King is back!!!! Wooooooo buddy!!!!!!
The Return.....ua-cam.com/video/Jkqle6WzSqI/v-deo.html
you should do another hike with Hickery soon Shug
We will be hiking together end of October...can't wait. Thankee.