I leave the land of all cell service today. I will be out of cell phone range to update my blog until I am done I think. I will update everything as soon as I have service again.
Looks like a summit on the 13th! Katahdin here I come.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Day 158: Monson!
Day: 158 Miles: 6.3 Trip: 2071.4 Started: Shirley-Blanchard Rd. Destination: Monson ME.
Yesterday Sa picked ChinMusic and I up at a road crossing before we headed into the hostel on Monson. Today we still had six miles of trail to cover before we truly reached the town. It was a fast stretch and we finished before noon giving us plenty of time to get to Greenville for resupply.
Monson is another big milestone as its the last town I will see on the trail. After this is the Hundred Mile wilderness that leads right to the base of Katahdin. I am staying at Shaw's Hostel. Shaw's is a famous place on the trail that has been here for as long as most people can remember. A bunk is cheap and they serve an all you can eat breakfast. How could I resist?
'Somebody' found some fresh pavement and decided to add a little signage to new road....
Yesterday Sa picked ChinMusic and I up at a road crossing before we headed into the hostel on Monson. Today we still had six miles of trail to cover before we truly reached the town. It was a fast stretch and we finished before noon giving us plenty of time to get to Greenville for resupply. Monson is another big milestone as its the last town I will see on the trail. After this is the Hundred Mile wilderness that leads right to the base of Katahdin. I am staying at Shaw's Hostel. Shaw's is a famous place on the trail that has been here for as long as most people can remember. A bunk is cheap and they serve an all you can eat breakfast. How could I resist?
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Day 157: Moxie Bald
Day: 157 Miles: 18.5 Trip: 2065.1 Started: Moxie Pond Rd. Destination: Shirley-Blanchard Rd.
We decided to do a slack pack day from the Sterling Inn. The room was free for the night and Sa, ChinMusic's wife is out with him for the duration and slacking was a natural option with her supporting him. The day on paper looked absolutely beautiful. Besides Moxie Mountain the trail looked almost perfectly flat. While it was not a complete walk in the park, the trail after Moxie follows the stream all the way back down to the Piscataquis River. So far in Maine this was one of the better days for trail conditions. For a long stretch the granite seemed to form a sidewalk on the trail. Unfortunately this would not last very long but it was a really pretty stretch. Some interesting rock formations also made the highlight list for the day.
Manson will be my next and final trail town. I am having mixed emotions as I get closer and closer to the end. I am glad to be finishing. Some days the end can not come fast enough and other days I think that I have not slowed down enough to enjoy where I am. I don't think I will really be able to reflect on my trip until its over and I can think about it in its entirety. I am far too consumed with the day to day planning and grind to fully appreciate the trip in its full scale. Moving north.
Manson will be my next and final trail town. I am having mixed emotions as I get closer and closer to the end. I am glad to be finishing. Some days the end can not come fast enough and other days I think that I have not slowed down enough to enjoy where I am. I don't think I will really be able to reflect on my trip until its over and I can think about it in its entirety. I am far too consumed with the day to day planning and grind to fully appreciate the trip in its full scale. Moving north.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Day 156
Day: 156 Miles: 11.9 Trip: 2046.6 Started: US201 Destination: Moxie Pond
I ended up doing a zero yesterday while we waited out a major rain storm. We had really lucky timing to be at the Sterling right when the storm hit. Sa, ChinMusic's wife got here yesterday and is going to slack us tomorrow. Sterling has a great deal and is even giving us the third night free. This was a great stay. We got to sit out the rain for free and will even get a slack pack day in.
Today is only 12 miles and I am glad for this. The rain yesterday really soaked the trail and conditions were pretty bad. Everything is very slick. Every step must be planned out. This pick and step type hiking is very tiring mentally. Maine so far has been a blessing and a curse. The trail is hard and going slow. Hopefully after two days of sunshine the trail will be in better shape.
At the end of the day I came to this sign and thought I might be on the wrong trail....
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| Muddy trail? |
Today is only 12 miles and I am glad for this. The rain yesterday really soaked the trail and conditions were pretty bad. Everything is very slick. Every step must be planned out. This pick and step type hiking is very tiring mentally. Maine so far has been a blessing and a curse. The trail is hard and going slow. Hopefully after two days of sunshine the trail will be in better shape.
At the end of the day I came to this sign and thought I might be on the wrong trail....
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| Spell check? |
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Day 154: Caratunk
Day: 154 Miles: 4 Trip: 2034.7 Started: Pierce Pond Destination: US201, Caratunk
Today I cross the Kennebec River. This is the largest river I have crossed so far that does not have a bridge. The river itself is about 400' wide and about chest deep. Fording this river is dangerous and there have been deaths in the past when deeper and stronger than normal currents have overcome hikers. The river is downstream from a damn that releases water on a regular basis and water levels in the river can swell unexpectedly. For many years a canoe ferry has been provided by the MATC to help hikers cross the river in the busy season. The ferry is only available for a few hours in the morning and afternoon so the stop at Pierce Pond last night set us up for an early morning crossing. To discourage fording the river there is even a white blaze in the bottom of the canoe. Purists would not dream of not taking the canoe because they might miss a section of the trail. I'm going to resupply at the Sterling Inn and share a room with ChinMusic for the night. We might even slack from here the next day. ChinMusic's wife will be here tomorrow and slack options will be easier logistically.
Today I cross the Kennebec River. This is the largest river I have crossed so far that does not have a bridge. The river itself is about 400' wide and about chest deep. Fording this river is dangerous and there have been deaths in the past when deeper and stronger than normal currents have overcome hikers. The river is downstream from a damn that releases water on a regular basis and water levels in the river can swell unexpectedly. For many years a canoe ferry has been provided by the MATC to help hikers cross the river in the busy season. The ferry is only available for a few hours in the morning and afternoon so the stop at Pierce Pond last night set us up for an early morning crossing. To discourage fording the river there is even a white blaze in the bottom of the canoe. Purists would not dream of not taking the canoe because they might miss a section of the trail. I'm going to resupply at the Sterling Inn and share a room with ChinMusic for the night. We might even slack from here the next day. ChinMusic's wife will be here tomorrow and slack options will be easier logistically.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Day 153: My first Moose sighting
Day: 153 Miles: 16.3 Trip: 2030.7 Started: East Flagstaff Rd Destination: Pierce Pond Shelter
We decided to not push all the way to Caratunk today and stopped short at Pierce Pond. The trail today was pretty deceptive from the profile map I had. I thought it would be a quick day and finish early enough to relax by the lake for a little while. I was wrong. The trail was very slick and full of roots. Many long sections of going up and down 20 foot rock scrambles really had a negative effect on my speed.
There was one major benefit to my slow pace today. It set me up to be in the right place at the right time to see my first moose! I was crossing a bog board walk when I heard a loud splash. I knew it was too large splash to be a fish or bird. I crossed out to the middle of the bridge and saw a female moose bathing in the stream. Seeing a moose was one of my bucket list items for the trip and I am really happy to finally see one. I was kind of down on the trail conditions up to this point but this completely made up for the slow day.
Also today was the traditional passing of the 2000 mile road crossing. This is not the true 2000 mile point but the marking are still painted here and I was really happy to see this point in person.
One more day to Caratunk. We are supposed to get a major storm tomorrow and if it comes to pass I will most likely wait it out for a day in town. The trail drain pretty fast up here but when it is raining they are some of the most slick and dangerous sections I have done.
We decided to not push all the way to Caratunk today and stopped short at Pierce Pond. The trail today was pretty deceptive from the profile map I had. I thought it would be a quick day and finish early enough to relax by the lake for a little while. I was wrong. The trail was very slick and full of roots. Many long sections of going up and down 20 foot rock scrambles really had a negative effect on my speed.There was one major benefit to my slow pace today. It set me up to be in the right place at the right time to see my first moose! I was crossing a bog board walk when I heard a loud splash. I knew it was too large splash to be a fish or bird. I crossed out to the middle of the bridge and saw a female moose bathing in the stream. Seeing a moose was one of my bucket list items for the trip and I am really happy to finally see one. I was kind of down on the trail conditions up to this point but this completely made up for the slow day.
One more day to Caratunk. We are supposed to get a major storm tomorrow and if it comes to pass I will most likely wait it out for a day in town. The trail drain pretty fast up here but when it is raining they are some of the most slick and dangerous sections I have done.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Day 152: 2000!
Day 152 Miles: 16.7 Trip: 2014.4 Started: Stratton, ME Destination: 2014.4
Today marks a huge milestone, 2000 miles done! I have seen the 2000 painted in the middle of a road crossing but I have not seen this yet. I did get a picture of the 2000 mile mark (close to the real spot) up on top of Bigelow Mt. I can now say I am a '2000 miler'. This had more meaning when the trail was just 2054 miles. Now that it is 2187 I cant claim my title just yet. Just crossing the Bigelow preserve is a huge milestone in itself as it marks the last major range we need to cross on the trail. There are are a few minor mountains to go but this is the last 4000 foot peak we will see until Katahdin.
We did a slack pack out of town today. B-Rocket, a former hiker we hiked with in VA and PA lives in ME and completed her hike about a week ago. She has been in contact with Chin-Music and agreed to come down and shuttle us tonight and tomorrow morning. This will make it possible to spend two nights in Stratton and then we only need to take two days to get to Caratunk instead of three. The trail really flattens out from here north and I look forward to dong larger miles again.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Day 151: Stratton ME
Day: 151 Miles: 11.2 Trip: 1997.7 Started: 1986.5 Destination: Stratton, ME
Another two 4000+ foot peaks today. This has been the theme for the past several days. Up and down large climbs all day long. Fortunately we are almost out of the higher peaks until Katahdin. The rain from yesterday has persisted all morning and as we climbed North and South Crocker Mt. we did not even pause for pictures.
Finishing the trail is on my mind quite a bit now. I am truly ready to be finished hiking. Everybody I talk to has about this has the same feeling. The general thought is that it is just not that fun anymore and the final climb is all that pulling us forward one step at a time. Even coming in to a town does not offer the respite it has in the past. I just want to eat, sleep, resupply and move on. I figure I have about two weeks left at this point and I want the days to go by faster. It is almost a cruel joke that the best views and hiking are at this point. As a through hiker I spent all summer thinking about how nice this section would be and now I am too tired to appreciate it. I still take the time each day to reflect and acknowledge what a privilege it is to be out here but at the same time I long to simply be done.
Another two 4000+ foot peaks today. This has been the theme for the past several days. Up and down large climbs all day long. Fortunately we are almost out of the higher peaks until Katahdin. The rain from yesterday has persisted all morning and as we climbed North and South Crocker Mt. we did not even pause for pictures.
Finishing the trail is on my mind quite a bit now. I am truly ready to be finished hiking. Everybody I talk to has about this has the same feeling. The general thought is that it is just not that fun anymore and the final climb is all that pulling us forward one step at a time. Even coming in to a town does not offer the respite it has in the past. I just want to eat, sleep, resupply and move on. I figure I have about two weeks left at this point and I want the days to go by faster. It is almost a cruel joke that the best views and hiking are at this point. As a through hiker I spent all summer thinking about how nice this section would be and now I am too tired to appreciate it. I still take the time each day to reflect and acknowledge what a privilege it is to be out here but at the same time I long to simply be done.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Day 150: Rainy night
Day: 150 Miles: 13 Trip: 1986.5 Started: Reddington Campsite Destination: 1986.5
We got a nice early start with the goal of making about 17 miles today. The morning started out pretty overcast but by about 8:30 the starting to come out. On top of Saddleback Junior we actually got a pretty good view. Later as we passed over Lone Mt and clouds started to roll in and thing were looking bad. Just passed the plaque that commemorates the completion of the AT in 1937 thunder started to break out all around us. Up on the Sugerloaf Mountain ridge we decided to find the first available spot to camp. Just as the rain broke out we set up our tents for a long night in the rain. I managed to get my tent set up while staying mostly dry and settled in for a good nights rest in the rain. I like tenting in the rain, just not setting up or breaking down in it!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Day 149: Saddleback
Day: 149 Miles: 8.0 Trip: 1973.5 Started: Rangeley, ME Destination: Redington Campsite
Today we did not get out of Rangeley until almost 11am. A nice breakfast and resupply at IGA ate up most of the morning. The hitch out of town did not take long and we were on the trail at about 11:30. The day started with a 2500 foot climb up to Saddleback Mt. The climb was one of my more enjoyable ones. Lots of exposed rock made for great views on the way up. Crossing the Horn took a little longer than anticipated and by the time we got down the backside of it we decided that we were way too tired to tackle Saddleback Junior and took advantage of an established campsite on the north side of The Horn. Tomorrow we will try to get an early start and make up the miles we did not do today. Despite the late start it was a really nice day with great views.
Today we did not get out of Rangeley until almost 11am. A nice breakfast and resupply at IGA ate up most of the morning. The hitch out of town did not take long and we were on the trail at about 11:30. The day started with a 2500 foot climb up to Saddleback Mt. The climb was one of my more enjoyable ones. Lots of exposed rock made for great views on the way up. Crossing the Horn took a little longer than anticipated and by the time we got down the backside of it we decided that we were way too tired to tackle Saddleback Junior and took advantage of an established campsite on the north side of The Horn. Tomorrow we will try to get an early start and make up the miles we did not do today. Despite the late start it was a really nice day with great views.
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| Saddleback from The Horn |
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