That's a lot of walking...
3/8/08
Day 1-Stover Creek Shelter 12.3miles
Great first day, a bit cold, but excellent views from Springer. So far, things couldn’t have gone any smoother. The hardest thing so far has been seeing Caitlin so upset. I do think she understands the trip and knows that its something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. She at least gave me a heads up and told me she would cry a lot BEFORE we got to the trailhead.
While I sit here, I try to wrap my mind around this trip. To say its overwhelming is an understatement. But small tasks make for great distractions, I find myself fiddling with gear, re-adding mileages, and writing a few words to keep my mind busy.
3/9/09
Day 2- USFS 42 “Gooch Gap” 13.7
A pretty fitful sleep last night. Only 24 degrees, but I was really cold before bed and it took a bit of time to warm up. In addition to Bird and Schwenk, another thru-hiker “strides” was at the stover creek shelter. Also had a really loud drunk group from Louisiana, who enjoyed shining their headlamps in the shelter and having loud discussions about how to cook a flank steak. Enlightening stuff really.
The hiking today made up for it though. I saw my first sunrise in I don’t know how long and had great hiking weather all day. Besides minor aches and pains I feel great and look forward to another.
3/10/09
Day 3 Bull Gap 15.3
Slowly stretching out our hiking legs. We seem to be hiking a bit quicker than most, so we are now referred to as the Tennessee Studs. It’s a little ridiculous, but it makes us laugh.
Blood Mtn. has been the most scenic place we have seen on the trail so far. Sunny rock outcroppings for lunching and napping. There were a whole slew of thru’s there. Dog and Cuda, ruby Tuesday, and a bunch of others I didn’t meet. Its unlikely that I will see many of them again.
3/11/08
Day 4 Blue Mtn Shelter 17
Longest day so far. Ankle pain isn’t much better, but it’s certainly not worse. Started off the day with a good five mile warm-up and then scored some free food at Tesnatee Gap. White Bear and Kujo were giving out burgers, stew, cold drinks, fresh veggies, and some good conversation. They hiked from Springer to VA last year and had to bow out due to foot probs. The whole time I was there I couldn’t stop smiling.
The shelter here is small, but uncrowded. A nice spot with a breeze and a view. Time to eat and rest.
3/12/08
Day 5 Dicks Creek Gap 19ish miles
3/13/08
Day 6 Bly Gap, NC 8.8
Left the Cloud 9 hostel today. Had a good stay there, but would rather be on the trail. Town was fun, got some snickers bars and other town goodies before hitching a ride back to the hostel from a woman named michelle. Lots of good people at the hostel, lots of lazy ones too. Some of the people there started thru-hiking in February. Happy to have gotten to make phone calls and touch base with home.
3/14/08
Day 7 Carter Gap, NC 15.8
A wet introduction to NC. Rain rain rain today. The first few hours of the day were great, but it didn't last long. I think the rain was a good test for us though, and it was bound to happen eventually. Very pleased with the poncho tarp set-up, it kept me and my gear nice and dry.
For now we're sitting in the shelter, just writing and watching it rain. Despite being a hassle, the rain is also very relaxing.
3/15/08
Day 8 Rock Gap Shelter 12.1
Rain and lightning all day. Happy to make it as far as we did. Another wet night in a leaky shelter.
3/16/08
Day 9 Cold Spring Shelter 19.5
A gorgeous day after the absolute soaking we've had the last two. One good thing about the rain is I think it finally broke my shoes in. I think Bird is in some pain, hope it doesn't slow him down or worse.
Best campsite so far, slept under the stars with a perfect view of the sunrise.
3/17/08
Day 10 Sassafras Gap Shelter 19ish miles
At the NOC now, waiting for the guys to finish lunch at the restaurant. Myself, I just ate a package of pop tarts, two packages of crackers, and a hershey bar. Think I might go get some more grub.
Tarped out for the night near the shelter, weary legs and brain today. Looking forward to a good nights sleep. Cant wait to take a day off at home.
3/18/08
Day 11 Cable Gap Shelter 15
Some days you're just putting down miles. My legs were shot from coming out of the NOC. Bird is tired too, and Schwenks feet have grown giant blisters. SO... we just took it kind of easy today and put in our miles. The hiking can be tedious, but you do all you can to stay focused on the journey and remember why you're out here.
3/19/08
Day 12 Fontana Village Resort 5.5
Ahhh, taking it easy at the resort. Laundry, shower, and feasting.
3/20/08
Day 13 Derrick Knob 24.1
Well, a long one today. Probably the farthest I've hiked in one day. My right knee is not doin' so great, but other than that its all good. The hiking today has been the most impressive of any I've had this whole trip. A good cold day, ice in the trees, and nearly unlimited visibility. Theres a lot to be said for a day of hard hiking and some solitude.
3/21/08
Day 14 Newfound Gap 18
No entry
3/22/08-3/24/08
3/25/08
Day 18 Tri-Corner Knob 15.6
One of the most beautiful days I've seen in the park. Snow on the ground, clear blue sky, cool and breezy. The legs felt much better today, lingering pain in the right knee, but I think its getting better instead of worse. A satisfying day.
3/26/08
Day 19 Painter Branch 20
So many people we're sawing logs last night, I thought I'd wake up covered in sawdust. I've never heard so much snoring in my life. The noise came from all sides, by far the worst night of sleep on the trip. Will be looking for a place to set-up the tarp tonight.
A good day of hiking today. Chatted and hiked with burro for a bit and ate lunch at cosby knob shelter with time traveler. Looks like the knee pain may stick around longer than I'd hoped.
3/27/08
Day 20 Bluff Mtn. 20.4
Proud of myself for getting the miles down today. Its been really tough at times, being in so much pain the last two days has taken alot out of me. I think the vitamin I is the only reason I'm still moving forward, but you cant take it forever.
Didn't meet much for people all day. Just hiked alone, passing a few day walkers at Max Patch. Awesome campsite tonight. Sitting on top of a mountain, eating, and watching the sun drop.
3/28/08
Day 21 Hot Springs, NC 10.7
3/29/08
Day 22 Hot Springs, NC 0
Camped out with Elaine and the Godesses or Godi or whatever.
3/30/08
Day 23 Spring Mtn Shelter 11
3/31/08
Day 24 Jerry Cabin 15.4
A bit of rain, but otherwise a great day. Second day without any considerable knee pain. Theres still some swelling so I'm not getting overly excited. Had some crazy trail magic today. Received a belgian waffle, rice & beans, a banana split, and a cup of coffee for free. Or close to free. The couple that hosted us most definitely had an agenda. The conversation quickly turned to religion and we had a lot of tracts and readings forced on us as we were leaving. It was a small price to pay I suppose.
4/1/08
Day 25 Hogback Ridge Shelter 14.5
Broke the three hundred mile mark today. Our overall pace is a bit slow, but considering all the zeros were moving along good enough.
Temps in the 70s today, with a few wildflowers starting to dot the trailside. Looking forward to VA and some consistently warmer temps.
4/2/08
Day 26 Spivey Gap 15.7
A great day punctuated by a warm, lazy lunch on top of big bald. Watched two deer cross the lower bald, and then run away when a few coyote started yelping down in the valley. It was pretty cool.
4/3/08
Day 27 Erwin 11.2
Rolled into town today, happy to be here. Having some issues with a late arriving mail drop. Looks like we're all staying in a motel today.
4/4/08
Day 28 Curley Maple Gap
Short day out of town, been at the shelter maybe 30 min and I can't tell if its going to be sunny or pour or what. The guys have moved on the next shelter, thinking maybe I should have too. But staying put will give my mail drop time to get to Kincora and give myself a chance for some solo hiking.
Feeling fresh after seeing Caitlin and a town stop. Hopefully I'll be ready for some longer hiking days again.
4/5/08
Day 29 Clyde Smith Shelter 21
First long day in some time without considerable knee pain. A fun hike today through amazing country.
Thought I might gain some ground on the fellas, but they put down 20plus today as well. All alone in the shelter tonight with a loud but nice family camped out near the shelter. Also, eating ramps with dinner tonight. Sweet!
4/6/08
Day 30 Apple House Shelter 21
One of the best days of hiking I've ever had. Period. After two days of general nastiness the sky cleared and the sun was shining all day. Hiked above the clouds til noon, really hoping for some good pictures. No one at the shelter last night and no one on the trail today (except for day walkers at carvers gap). Glad to see some familiar faces at camp tonight. A little tired after two long days.
4/7/08
Day 31 Moreland Gap Shelter 18
Another good day, but tired. Stopped in at Mountain Harbour B&B to catch up with the guys. Also caught up on calories. Schwenk gave away some birthday goodies his mom sent in a mail drop. He let me have some caked that was baked in a mason jar? It was good and I was too hungry to be picky so whatever. The trail was a good bit easier today, supposed to stay that way until Damascus.
4/8/08
Day 32 Watauga Lake 16.8
A different day today, hiked 6 miles in the morning to Kincora. My package was there, but no one home to give it to me. Chilled at the hostel a bit and ordered pizza and feasted. Spending a big chunk of the day relaxing and meeting people was cool. We get caught up in putting down the miles sometimes, it was good to break up the routine.
Finally starting to catch back up with people we met before all the zeros. Its funny to feel like you need to catch up on things with folks you barely know. Happy and healthy the last few days. Glad to be here.
4/9/08
Day 33 Virginia State Line 36
4/10/08
Day 34 Damascus 3.5
4/11/08
Day 35 Saunders Shelter 8.5
Easy gradual climb out of damascus. Didn't take a zero, but still feel out of the hiking groove. Objects at rest want to stay at rest I suppose.
4/12/08
Day 36 Wise Shelter 23.7
Long day, but relatively easy. Being in a gorgeous place makes the miles easier to put down. There seems to be some tension within the group. Schwenk wants to hike by himself and I kind of wish he would. Splitting the shelter with two thru-hikers tonight, smokey and phoenix. They're nice enough, but constantly bicker. Seems to be some of that goin' around lately.
4/13/08
Day 37 Trimpi Shelter 20
Left the highlands in a crazy windy snowy mess. Sheets of sleet and snow all day. Despite the snow I'm liking VA for now, these easy hills are where its at.
Wish I could find out what happened at the race yesterday.
4/14/08
Day 38 Atkins 22.2
Nastiness all day today as well. A test of determination and commitment. Quite a few negative thoughts rolled through my head.
4/15/08
Day 39 Knot Maul Shelter 13.9
The body and mind feel somewhat better today. A strange phenomenon i've noticed is that the miles go by incredibly slow after being in town even for a day.
The re-supply was misrepresented ( a truckstop instead of a grocery store) in the companion, but made up for it with some excellent meals at "the barn." I had two enormous meals there and restorative sleep/coma at the relax inn. Resented coughing up the dough for the room, but sometimes you have to and this was one of those times.
4/16/08
Day 40 Jenkins Shelter 19
Crossed Chestnut ridge today and stopped at the shelter for lunch. The sun was out in full force so I laid around and got my tan on. The trees are still bare, but with this heat I dont imagine that will last much longer.
4/17/08
Day 41 Jerry Knob 23.6
Heat causes chafe.
4/18/08
Day 42 Doc's Knob 22.6
The poor re-supply in Atkins is taking a toll on me. If you ever want to make yourself feel terrible eat nothing but instant rice and noodles and little debbie everday. With that being said we made an "emergency" stop at Trents, a little gas station grill. Broke the vegetarian thing today and had a huge burger, mac and cheese, macaroni salad, and a half quart of milk. Excellent food, friendly people.
4/19/08
Day 43 Pearisburg, VA 8.2
I read this in the trail register yesterday and thought it was cool, "The challenge of life is not to meet its demands, but to ask for more out of life than it asks of you."
4/20/08 - 4/26/08
Days 44-50 Pearisburg to Daleville, Many miles
I've been unsuccessful at locating any entries from this section.
Overall, it was one of the nicer sections we had throughout VA. I lost my spoon in the motel at Pearisburg and was forced to eat many meals with a tuna packet I rolled up and duct taped. This would also be one of the last weeks I hiked with Bigfoot until halfway through Pennsylvania.
Upon reaching Daleville, I got off the trail and spent a few days in our nations capital with caitlin and hoy. We all had an excellent time and got to be tourists for the weekend, checking out the museums, monuments, etc. Going from trail to D.C. was an interesting transition. Its rare that I go places with that many, and even rarer that I go there after living on the trail for a month and a half.
4/27/08
Day 51 Blue Ridge Parkway, VA 18ish miles
I have no entry from this day either, but it is worth mentioning.
I got back on the trail at around 3PM after seeing Caitlin for the last time in over 2 months. I wasn't in the mood to do much but hike, so I did until about 2 in the morning despite cold, fog, and rain. This would prove to be one of the biggest judgment errors I made throughout the trip.
Due to the fog, I repeatedly lost the trail. Due to the cold and rain, My mental and physical dexterity was poor at best. So in the middle of the night I find myself wandering in a road side parking lot, mildly hypothermic, trying to find the trail. Eventually I find some picnic tables and a flat spot and attempt to setup camp. My brain and hands are dumb from cold so setting up the tarp takes forever. Since my tarp is also my rain gear i'm even more soaked than i was before. Eventually i'm in my sleeping bag, which is also wet, and after about an hour am warm enough to sleep. It was not the greatest of days.
4/28/08
Day 52 Cornelius Creek Shelter
Time to read and rest.
Also, the morning I left this shelter it snowed for about an hour. This would be the last time it snowed on me during this trip, but not the last time I saw snow on the ground.
4/29/08
Day 53 Johns Hollow Creek 20ish
Went through a nice long slow downhill section today. This area is starting to have a different feel to it than the rest of VA has. Saw a few open rocky slopes, which are maybe letting me know what is down the trail in Penn.
Trail magic at Matts cr shelter. A cooler full of sodas and apples. I crossed the James river with a crazy sugar buzz. At the shelter I met mike and "start."
4/30/08
Day 54 Cow Camp Gap Shelter 23.9
Impressive views of the James from Big Rocky Row. Nice easy walking near Pedlar lake/River. The big days seem to be easier now, hoping to continue with the high mileage through the shenandoahs.
5/1/08
Day 55 Harper Creek Shelter 24mi
Rolled through another long day. The priest was not as impressive as I'd hoped for. I don't know what I expected, but with that kind of name you anticipate nothing short of a religious experience. Oh well, was just hoping for a stellar view and didn't one.
People on the trail have been excessively friendly lately. Bones at cow camp gap gave me an entire bag of trail mix the other day. D-man was a super nice guy too, he's from maine and down here doing some trail work. Help and encouragement from strangers is pretty cool.
5/2/08
Day 56 Paul C. Wolfe Shelter 22mi
Slow goings in the morning, but things got better as the day wore on. Too many views today, I took so many breaks. I feel great considering I've hiked 5 consecutive twenty mile days. My legs are dead coming uphill, but supposedly there are no major climbs until Mass. So maybe I wont have anything to worry about. We'll see about that one. Its fun to get out here and cover so much ground at a time, its a great feeling. I'm starting to become just as comfortable on the trail as I am in town.
5/3/08
Day 57 Waynesboro 5ish
When you get to the waynesboro visitor center, which is 50ft from the trail, there is a book full of numbers of people who will come and pick you up and take you to the trail. I took advantage of this. Once in town, I ate some chinese and setup my tarp at a field near the YMCA. I was having a frustrating and expensive time making calls to home, caitiln, bird, etc. But bird eventually found me and I spent the night at the hotel with him and Amanda. I would've loved to hang out with him longer, but Bird was staying in town an extra day and I didn't want to infringe upon his time with Amanda. So the next day I ate a dozen huge pancakes, bought some new insoles, and hit the trail.
5/4/08
Day 58 Calf Mtn Shelter- Shenandoah National Park! 7mi
So a dozen pancakes may not be the best way to refuel before hiking. Had anticipated going a bit further, but I feel an early night coming on. Hoped to have an empty shelter so I could sleep, unfortunately there are a bunch of guys here chatting like old women.
5/5/08
Day 59 Pinefield Hut Shelter 27mi
Saw my first bear today, along with ton of deer. The day was pretty long, until I ran into three thru-hikers from UT knoxville. They were sitting in the trail sharing a bottle of wine and were even nice enough to let me have some. A smile was on my face for the last three miles of this day.
5/6/08
Day 60 Bearfence Mtn. Shelter 20mi
Sitting alone @ the shelter, watching a deer eat while the last sunlight fades away. I'm curious to see if Birdsell and I hike together again. If I want to finish on the 8th of July, I have to average 20 mi per day. This isn't quite his style.
Had a hard time today for some reason. But I ate dinner at a campground store and called home, this helped my spirits a good bit.
5/7/08
Day 61 Pass Mtn Hut 27mi
These longer days really try your patience sometimes. All the compounded fatigue makes it hard to think clearly, you consider quitting, you tell yourself it isn't worth it, but in the end you know it is. Quitting would be a few days of relief, followed by a lifetime of regret. So I'll probably just deal with it.
5/8/08
Day 62 Tom Floyd Wayside 23mi
I'm crashed out at the shelter after a better day of hiking. Finally had some company for much of the day. This made the time go by much faster. Loitered at my last SNP wayside for a while with mike and hampton, two thru-hikers about my age. Getting out of the rain and eating a grilled cheese and a huge pile of fries with some coffee on the side was sweet! Other than mike and hampton, i'm sharing the shelter with james. A very strange but entertaining thru hiker.
5/9/08
Day 63 Dicks Dome Shelter 18mi
A shorter day, much needed and appreciated. Solid rain til about 2:00. So I'm a soggy guy. Considered going another 9mi today, but thought better of it. This is a strange shelter I'm staying in tonight its six sided and comes to a point in the middle of the roof. There are only two of us at the moment, but it still feels cramped like no matter how you position your stuff and person you're too close to the other guy. At least its decent trail company, a guy named jon who thru hiked in 06. He says hes just on the trail going south, doesn't know how far or long. Mike and Hampton showed up around 11:30. It was way too cramped after they showed up.
5/10/08
Day 64 Blackburn Center 26mi
Heading into Harpers Ferry tomorrow! Getting some new shoes, socks, and maybe a new outlook on life. Tons of friendly people on the trail today. The Blackburn Center aint bad either. I showed up too late for the free meal, but the caretaker gave me some ice cream and grape soda. sweet! Restocked a bit from the hiker box as well. On to MD, and then PA!
5/11/08
Day 65 Harpers Ferry Comfort Inn 12mi
Picked up the mail drop and did the town thing with mike and hampton. They are fun guys to hang out with. Even though being half way isn't even half-way exciting, I am happy to be clean, rested, and FULL. Which is hard thing to accomplish these days.
I'm not sure as to the location of the other studs. I'd like to catch up to one of them if possible, but if not oh well.
5/12/08
Day 66 Ensign Cowell Shelter 30mi
The new shoes are great, so great I decided to try the MD challenge. Hiking the MD section of the trail in one day, about 40mi. Even though I didn't hit the trail til noon I almost succeeded. My old friend fog showed up, so I opted for stopping instead of being lost with hypothermia. This proved to be fortuitous though. When I showed up at the shelter there was no one to wake up and bother and..... there was a single cold can of natural light sitting all by itself. I was nice enough to keep it company.
5/13/08
Day 67 Tumbling Run Shelter 18mi
Took it nice and easy today after yesterdays romp. During my extra long lunch break, Don Juan came busting down the trail. Even though he's been a pain to deal with it was still good to see him. We caught up on things and I tried my hardest not to mention how he'd acted like a jackass. I'm happy to have crossed the mason dixon line.
5/14/08
Day 68 Toms Run 25.8 mi
Stopped in some town called South Mtn I think. Schwenk picked up a mail drop and we ate lunch ate some restaurant/bar. I've been distracted by some serious shin pain. Dont really know what to call it other than swollen and painful.
5/15/08
Day 69 Boiling Springs, PA- Playhouse Hostel 23 mi
Shin pain is unbearable. Also, took part in the half gallon challenge today!
5/16/08
Day 70 Cove Mtn Shelter 21.6mi
Sharing the shelter with two nice older couples. Definitely good company, they taught us how to play back alley bridge. A card game which I am terrible at. Other than that it rained ALL day. The shin still hurt crazy bad again today, but hiked without my shoes for a bit and that helped. Hoping that the pain is on its way out.
Excited to hit Duncannon tomorrow.
5/17/08
Day 71 Duncannon, PA 4.6mi
Resting and eating.
5/18/08
Day 72 Clarks Ferry Shelter 4.8
Well, I thought the leg pain was getting better, but it was not. A short day today just to have some forward motion. Schwenk was supposed to meet us here, but moved on without notice. All after birdsell hikes 130miles in about four days to catch up to us.
5/19/08-6/12/08 Rausch Gap, PA-Peru Peak Shelter 484mi
No entries.
My initial thinking on why I had no entries for this section was that I was just kind of disgusted and tired. Once I went back and pieced together where I stayed and what I did, I had a different opinion. Not to say that I wasn't disgusted and tired, but a lot of good things happened during this almost 500mi stretch and I had a lot of fun.
One reason I didn't right much is that I had Birdsell for company through this whole section. When you've got decent enough company, writing isn't as interesting. It being more of a solitary activity anyway. Also, I read a lot and always had a book (or two) to read. Most days we got a late start and had a late finish. The mileage was about the same, with the goofing around being much greater though.
I would have to say Cody coming up and hiking the NJ section with us was one of the highlights of the trip. We scaled back the mileage, took swimming breaks, and laughed a lot. Having someone fresh around was great. Most days we could eat lunch in town, with road crossing being plentiful through NJ, NY, and CT. Once Cody split off from us we hit NY with another guy in tow going by the name of "Sky," who was hiking from Delaware Water Gap to Katahdin (hopefully). We didn't see him for too much longer though as Birdsell and I began "man week." This was an attempt to string together seven consecutive 30mi days. I didn't work. Actually, we failed horrendously, but thats ok.
After Man Week Bird and I hiked a few more days together, stayed at Tom Levardi's house ( the best trail angel on the AT) and then hit North Adams, MA where we split a hotel room and split ways. Bird needed to scale back the pace, and if I could be finished a week earlier it would be worth the extra couple of hours per day I had to hike each day.
6/13/08
Cooper Lodge 33.4
Happy to be finished with such a long/awesome day. Saw my first porcupine today! This shelter could be amazing. Its an old stone building with a pretty sweet view, the area reminds you of LeConte or the higher elevations in the smokies. Unfortunately, there are mice and a bag of trash in the corner, but i'll take it anyway.
6/14/08 Winnturri Shelter 26mi
False expectations of any easy day today, as is usually the case. Slow pace for much of the day. I did take a "bath" in an icy cold creek, I felt bad for all the creatures down stream. I was pretty nasty. Have almost been on the trail a week with no resupply and am looking forward to townin'.
6/15/08
Hanover 26mi
When I got to Hanover my trail info had expired. I had info for everything behind, but none for where I was. The trail is poorly marked in towns as it is, and I was on the phone until dark, so when it was time to look for camp I realized I was in a tight spot. A stranger was nice enough to tell me most AT hikers camped near the ball fields "overthere," so I go in this general direction. I never find it. After roaming around more than I had the energy for I more or less made camp in a woody patch between two houses. I've always wanted to know what it felt like to be homeless and I bet that was pretty close. To my surprise, it looked as if people camped here often. Would this mean I might have hobo or thru-hiker company? I did not.
I ended up staying in Hanover about another half-day. A friendly but overpriced town, like most in New England. Also, I had an awesome breakfast at Lou's Bakery. The staff there even sat down and talked to me about my trip.
6/16/08
Trapper John Shelter 17mi
These new shoes are killin' my feet! What the heck?
6/17/08
Hikers Welcome Hostel 26mi
There are some characters at this place. All former through hikers, around 60, no women in there lives. The word fringe comes to my mind, but not lunatic. They're all super helpful and nice. One guy runs the place and his buddys pitch in with tasks and pretty much live here.
The showers, washer, and dryer are all outside under a tarp. The beds are nice and clean though, and at least the place has showers. Its good to have company. Haven't seen much for people since I split off from Bird. The white mtns officially start tomorrow and I'm pumped. I cant wait to get above tree line.
6/18/08
Eliza Brook Shelter
6/19/09
Mt. Garfield
This night I camped at a pond between to peaks. It was one of the absolute best campsites I had on the trail. It even had a little cell service. The next morning I got up with the sun and ate breakfast on top of mt. garfield. Pretty cool stuff.
6/20/08
Mizpah Hut 24.2
After the guys at the hostel told me you cant do 20's in the whites, I made it my goal to do just that. It was not easy. I'm at a sweet hut now where I can eat all I want for doing a few dishes. Not bad.
Also, I caught up to Marathon this day. Another thru-hiker who had already hiked with Schwenk, Mike, and Hampton, but somehow I missed.
6/21/08
Madison Hut 12
The hut system is great. We get a free indoor stay and food for NO chores today. All the huts are run by dartmouth college kids as well so its nice to get to hang out with new people who are your own age. Some of the huts have deals too, like if you pay $2 you can have all you can eat brownies. It rocks.
Went across Mt. Washington today as well. Just as I reached the top they were finishing the Mt washington road race, an eight mile foot race from base to peak. I shared a table with some of the runners in the cafeteria afterwards. At the top I remember thinking "cool, some runner guys," but later I learned that these were some of the best "mountain" runners in the country.
6/22/08
Carter Notch 13
One last night in the hut system.
6/23/08
Gorham, NH 15mi
Just happened to see some people we met at a hut as we began hitchhiking and caught a ride into Gorham. We ate some lunch, where I learned what poutine was. (french fries, cheese, gravy, more or less). Spent the night at the "hikers paradise hostel." It wasn't quite paradise, but it had beds, showers, and proximity to a grocery store so I was happy with it. I felt like re-supplying and rolling on down the trail, but Marathon is tired and homesick so he needed the rest more than me. Marathon was really depending on me to be motivated and get us down the trail, which is fine because thats exactly what I wanted to do.
6/24/08
Carlo Col Shelter 16ish
The whites and Maine are tough!
6/25/08
Frye Notch 19.9mi
In the top 3 of hardest days on the trail. The difficulty was purely physical, so it made for a surprisingly fun day. The Mahoosuc Notch is crazy! Its a mile long torturous maze of house and car sized boulders that you crawl through, around, over, under, etc. With the Notch behind me, I've even found myself very cautiously savoring being finished.
6/26/08
Bemis Mtn Shelter 23.3
Finally got another 20mi day busted out. Time to put this thing to bed!
6/27/08
Rangeley 17.7
Another town day. I was very thrifty with my town stops for 90% of the trip, but I now know that I'm not going to blow all money or decide I want to go home so I'm being a bit more liberal with them. Besides we're staying at someones apartment for free, what they refer to as a hostel. Its kind of a party hole, all the southbounders are coming through so proud of themselves for hiking 200mi and boozing it up. All the northbounders are eating entire boxes of cereal and going to bed.
7/1/08 (I've missed days somewhere) Moxie Bald Shelter
Got my first view of Katahdin today.
7/2/08
Monson 14ish
Indoors for the night. Trying to catch up on sleep and get away from the BUGS. Otherwise, I am happy to have this thing in the bag. Found schwenk at the other hostel, he has a pretty manly beard.
7/3/08
Cloud Pond Shelter 22.4
Working hard to put the miles behind us.
7/4/08
East Branch Shelter 27.6
Some of the other campers had fireworks with them! It was pretty cool, got to see some fireworks miles and miles from anywhere.
7/5/08
Whitehouse Landing 21.8
Marathon and I meant to go farther this day, but I felt terrible, had no motivation, and secretly wanted to spend my last day on the trail hiking by myself. So we said our good byes and I spent the night at the hostel and he went another 10mi or so down the trail. He was an awesome guy and I hated to bail on him on what was almost the last day, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Anyways, the hostel was fantastic, but expensive. With amazing quantity and quality of food. Just what I needed.
7/6/08
The Birches 40.8
I woke up feeling exceedingly guilty about not seeing the guys before they went up for their summit bid. Feeling better than I had in weeks I decided I would just catch up to them. So at around 9:30 in the morning I started booking it to make up the ground. After a long grueling day ( but I did see three moose) I finally made it. But to my severe confusion no one was there when I arrived, no packs, no signs of life. All day I'd thought about how surprised they'd be to see me, and now I'm just at the shelter alone. No one to brag to about my 40mi day. I'd later learn that the campground ranger had given them a regular shelter in the campground, not the designated thru-hiker shelter.
7/7/08
Really sore and tired, I started walking toward Millinocket with my thumb out. Surprisingly, I had a ride in minutes. And on top of that it was from a chick I met (actually I only said a handful of words to her as I passed her) in Vermont who remembered me by my hat. Cool. I got a ride almost all the way into town where her family was camping. After a big meal in town I made my way to hotel terrace and waited on Dad.
7/8/08
Katahdin
To me, the final steps I took to reach the sign were no more or less important or meaningful than any I took on Springer Mtn, or anywhere in VA, PA, MA, etc. It was all essential.
In my mind, this was not The End of a journey, it was a part of my life. It was simply how I lived for a few months. And in life you never reach a stopping point and there is never a point where you stop learning, trying, failing, or achieving. Its a never ending process.
