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Day 5 was, bar none, the hardest day of hiking, there were four named summits to climb, all part of the Mt. Greylock massif, the highest points in Massachusetts, and the hardest part of the trail in New England until you get into the White Mountains in NH.
The climb out of Cheshire started hard and fast, rising 1800ft very quickly. I hiked the beginning of the day with the group of Girls and Sparky, the constant jokes and conversation really helps for a hard long climb. The night before was below freezing in Cheshire, so I was glad to have stayed in the Church, but it was a cold, brisk day with a threat of rain, so I wanted to get up and over Greylock before conditions worsened.
As we quickly ascended, there were many portions where the trail took on a 45d or greater pitch, requiring very careful foot placement on slick boulders, with some sections being nearly vertical "stairs" formed by roots or boulders. The temps dropped rapidly as we ascended.
