tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47109913289620909802024-03-13T03:48:39.977-07:00 Ramble Onlong distance hiker, day hiker, occasional gear talker generally just enjoying the outdoors and a 2015 Continental Divide Thru HikerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.comBlogger518125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-7759706657683212902016-12-31T10:35:00.001-08:002016-12-31T10:35:17.328-08:00All road trips need a zooBecause why not kill Part of the day in the Albuquerque zoo?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31167670814/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/260/31167670814_3e72061a59_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31167673094/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/587/31167673094_c60af5dc37_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='174' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31633710170/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/327/31633710170_82fd3caa13_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31633710760/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/468/31633710760_35aa186cdc_b.jpg' border='0' width='277' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31633711220/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/478/31633711220_7d3297dc2a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31633711760/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/31633711760_8a50772e34_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='194' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31970293496/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5655/31970293496_a163df6cdd_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='195' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31970295336/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5581/31970295336_2ef1f27789_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31891085631/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/512/31891085631_ed3369ea9a_b.jpg' border='0' width='248' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31891086431/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/260/31891086431_25616d110d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31891087071/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5830/31891087071_10e06be3ba_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-16782186498177440152016-12-23T08:15:00.001-08:002016-12-23T08:15:54.870-08:00Road Trip: Grand Canyon Sorry for the delay, work is in full swing but the pictures make me so happy maybe it will encourage some future adventures and and happy reminiscing while I'm running in circles at work. <br /><br />We drive to the east rim first, figuring we had a little time and how often do you go to the Grand Canyon? I had never been so it was pretty darn exciting. It was too close to dark for hiking and then we spent a solid 30 minutes watching coyotes which I don't regret one bit. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31825287325/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/441/31825287325_dd69f95f20_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='119' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail was covered in ice, the buildings were closed and it was pretty frigid. Yet we still managed to see wildlife. My favorite part. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31825288475/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/495/31825288475_24640a65a1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31825290225/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5748/31825290225_a044baf01d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='202' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31825293445/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/264/31825293445_25fbc85568_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31825294795/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/449/31825294795_021e0875d8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We drove the length of the east rim trying to catch sunset and still stay warm before finding a nice spot to sleep near the entrance to the west rim. <br /><br />The next morning was still icy cold and full of tourists but this place is so cool. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31787880146/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/708/31787880146_a4d8b3b825_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31708964051/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/31708964051_ccccf9a220_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31708967841/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/31708967841_f9d0746cf8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I decided to go on my own hike and headed down the most popular route towards the Colorado river. I was still pretty chilly as I headed down thousands of feet but I felt like I was flying and having a fantastic time. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015803863/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5798/31015803863_da9bef5ee9_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015806093/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5736/31015806093_bcd04019c4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015807883/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/529/31015807883_ff5ae7371e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'll admit it I was impressed by the Grand Canyon on the rim but felt no great desire to return. After actually hiking I can't wait to come back and see more. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015809353/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/782/31015809353_56d85e6d25_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015810353/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/31015810353_e3c3a3df70_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015811463/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/31015811463_b7e67b5148_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='157' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31015812633/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5646/31015812633_e0f1631176_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />An exhilarating if chilly day of climbing. Then on to the adventure of car troubles on a weekend into the middle of nowhere. We finally coasted out of the mountains crossing our fingers and staring at check engine lights. The Grand Canyon may be amazing but it has pretty much zero car fixing abilities on weekends. <br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-63179273866827743952016-12-10T09:07:00.001-08:002016-12-10T09:07:50.538-08:00Road Trip: sitting stillI woke up in the middle of the night and peeked out the window. The wind was howling and an inch or so of snow had fallen. Not going to lie, I was pretty thrilled to in a warm hotel. We were only about 5 minutes from the park and after breakfast and killing enough time for the ice to melt on the roads we decided to play car tourist with the snow. <br />Back to the amphitheater it was only a dusting but not a bad way to see a change. <br /><br />I think I walked maybe a mile of the rim, still crowded with silly tourists. Running and of course sliding because yes it was 30 degrees and still icy. Common sense was in short supply. By the time my ears and nose had frozen I was ok with no more sightseeing. I think snow is beautiful but I'm happy as a clam living in a moderate climate. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31505419566/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/311/31505419566_aae861ae2a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30734308773/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/203/30734308773_0a967099d8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30734316863/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/161/30734316863_40b1868994_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='140' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31171431470/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/445/31171431470_dd57abce6b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31505434666/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/766/31505434666_7589271c30_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31505438926/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/31505438926_3bed5f0214_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30734731543/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/643/30734731543_6434c3fa2f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30734737203/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/314/30734737203_bcb232408a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='152' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Fairyland point was quiet and amazingly blocked by wind, a much more pleasant walk. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30734742243/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/238/30734742243_4e911a7218_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='115' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31543982695/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/266/31543982695_5ee0110d49_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='68' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31543986355/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/321/31543986355_ac113fcc72_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='126' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31543991935/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/674/31543991935_53e48d6656_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30703106804/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5704/30703106804_b93cb302b5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='86' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30703113514/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/438/30703113514_a159b74b29_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30744670473/'><img src='https://farm1.staticflickr.com/507/30744670473_573fb3295c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='120' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />With predicted nighttime temps of 6 not including wind chill I had no problem heading back to the luxury of a bed in a real building for the night. <br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-62357397813637947482016-12-06T22:55:00.003-08:002016-12-06T22:55:47.541-08:00Road Trip Part Two: More Bryce<br />
I apologize for picture formatting and other strange things, this site has been crashing and uncooperative so hopefully the pictures at least still appear.<br />
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It was great waking cozy in the back of the car. Tents may be great but they are nowhere near as windproof as vehicles. Although I'm starting to understand the trend of retrofitting vans and living on the road, it can be awfully cush.<br />
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We took our time warming up and hit the rim again. The plan was for about 6 miles, combining the two most popular trails in the park, the Queens Garden and Navajo loop and the Peekaboo loop to create a figure 8 taking us down and all around the base of the amphitheater.<br />
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the crowds thinned the farther we got from the rim. We had been warned it was a strenuous hike with a few thousand feet of elevation loss and gain, but with cool temperatures it was perfect cruising weather and the trails are in pretty much perfect shape.<br />
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The trail winds down towards the Queens Garden, getting up close and personal with the hoodoos. The tunnels are engineering feats in there own right. There is some major trail work down here.<br />
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We wind our way down and around, losing the crowds and looping onto the Peekaboo Loop. The wind is starting to pickup and I'm happy we decided to get a hotel room tonight. Snow is in the forecast and while the truck is nice sitting around for 2 days of sub 30 sounds less than fun. Tomorrow night is supposed to be down to 6, not including wind chill.<br />
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We take break at the wall of windows, enjoying lunch and the view. I really just love Utah, although I'm not sure I'd be so happy in 90 plus temps.<br />
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Down and back we towards the finish of the Navajo loop. I keep stopping to stare and take it all, the towers and color.<br />
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Back up we climb and the crowds reappear.<br />
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We stop moving once we make it back to the top and the chill sets in. The wind has picked up and the clouds are starting to gather. Shorts and a t-shirt were no longer cutting it. Although we had been the only people the entire day in just shorts and t-shirts so who knows.<br />
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Instead of hiking more we decide to head to the very end of the park and drive to all the viewpoints. Its fun and absolutely freezing, I'm glad we aren't hiking anymore. Its a mellow afternoon and different way to see the rest of the park.<br />
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We head back to the car in time for dinner and hard out of the park. With the incoming snow and winter weather alert for driving it looks like the road trip is stalled and we will be spending an unexpected day off to regroup and figure out where to next.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-73141375210398472522016-11-30T11:24:00.001-08:002016-11-30T11:24:20.815-08:00Road Trip Part two: Bryce Well I had great intentions of doing a blog post a day for each of these parks but we stopped over a week ago and I am just now wading through my excessively large number of photos. <br /><br />We got to Bryce with plenty of time to explore the visitors center and take a hike. Close to Zion, less crowded and such a unique place! I was really happy knowing we would get at least 1.5 days of non snowy weather to explore. <br /><br />We started out near Sunrise Point and headed down to the bottom <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340432815/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/31340432815_ee1857742e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340436825/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5593/31340436825_2bd164af2f_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30971440830/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5667/30971440830_33eac676c3_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30971447230/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/30971447230_e0a1d911c2_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340458465/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/31340458465_d5f9e0ce38_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340461915/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/31340461915_c3bcfdb14f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340465255/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/31340465255_4a54a0df4e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31340470975/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/31340470975_6eb35d5190_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304417066/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5820/31304417066_db22b4a138_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30518120454/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/30518120454_86a2c95380_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30518132084/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5806/30518132084_c32b4bba0c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31225774091/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5655/31225774091_cb8680b1db_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='118' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31225781911/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/31225781911_a8b68c9629_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31225785261/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/31225785261_336e5be7aa_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31225789621/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/31225789621_9b2ef86833_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30971657410/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5708/30971657410_1b9a49f0fb_b.jpg' border='0' width='2400' height='2400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-56434382149512001152016-11-28T14:38:00.001-08:002016-11-28T14:38:06.509-08:00Road Trip Part One: ZionWell I went and did it, I've got a real full time job for the first time in what feels like forever but is really just about 2.5 years. Contract work has been a wonderful way to thruhike but I've been ready to try this sitting still thing for awhile now and it's finally looking official. <br /><br />With a start date and nothing longer than a two day weekend in my near future I figured one last hurrah and a quick road trip would be a fun way to celebrate the holidays. Since it's November and not exactly warm the goal was to see a few parks I hadn't seen and keep suffering to a minimum making it from California to Texas by thanksgiving. Which meant the luxury of car camping, day hikes and hotel rooms when the temps dropped to 6 not including the wind chill and zero time in a plane. <br /><br />We started our drive heading down through Southern California and Las Vegas. We weren't in any rush, enjoying rest stop bathrooms and diners along the way. The joys of running water and flush toilets never get old. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304890845/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/31304890845_dee378122b_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Although even in the front country water isn't always awesome... All rest areas are not created equal. <br /><br />We made it to Zion late day two with enough time to squeeze in one pretty hike and enjoy sunset. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304892325/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/31304892325_a354777d22_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304893365/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5685/31304893365_8525922e35_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304895185/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5659/31304895185_8a9aea8b0a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='96' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304895755/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/31304895755_d0ce0b8f8c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Stopping at the visitor center we found that the 10 day sunny forecast was no more and we had choices to make. We decided against staying longer in Zion, I've never been to Bryce before and would rather take advantage of nice weather somewhere I've never seen. <br /><br />Stealth camping in Springdale then one more Zion overlook hike and onwards to Bryce. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304897235/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/31304897235_0993f0d4c4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31304899035/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5644/31304899035_a505f5457a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31268605886/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/31268605886_eb2646439d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/31268607866/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5683/31268607866_383ac466de_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-92212174632469893752016-10-30T19:49:00.001-07:002016-10-30T19:49:50.717-07:00What's next?I started writing this weeks ago and never got around to finishing. It turns out my mind may have drifted to a million other things but this still is ringing true so here goes (a long rambling explanation about why I'm not getting ready for another long hike just yet)<br /><br />On the PCT as I neared the finish I remember dreaming about couches, cats and oddly enough my old job. I fantasized about working a set schedule and day hiking just for fun. But more all encompassing were the dreams about other trails. The CDT scared me but the AT seemed so approachable that I spent the next two years working entirely towards another thru hike. I moved to get more specialized in my career just so I could become more marketable to make up for the gaps in my resume. Not hiking another long trail was inconceivable. <br /><br />2 years can feel like a long time. I started to settle, make friends and even almost bought a house but I backed out because the lure of the CDT had become overwhelming (the AT was now on the back burner). Everything that wasn't thruhiking really only got half my attention. Because I felt like these trails were the most important thing holding my life together. <br /><br />The CDT was ridiculously hard and stressful but absolutely amazing. I've been told that when I talk about it I tell stories about the craziness and hard times but always have the biggest grin on my face. But it was a hard hike, I dreamed about the AT as I crept closer to Canada. White blazes, grocery stores, short resupplies and never having to navigate sounded like a true vacation and nirvana. Not to mention the fact that some of my favorite fellow thruhikers are absolutely in love with the AT. So I limped back home and worked more temporary jobs, putting "real life" on hold to hike 6 months later. The trail was my real life, the place I longed to be, not the long 12 plus hour shifts I was putting in. Living on a couch wasn't ideal but rent was astronomical and I bargained it was worth it. I was surprised when I found myself actually sad to leave my job. After only 6 months I felt myself settling in again, finding potential friends I was loathe to make plans with because I knew I would soon be gone. But I couldn't shake the need to hike and felt I would hugely regret not heading to the east coast come April. <br /><br />So I hit Georgia with a conflicted but eager start. Everything was so different! I didn't get lost, the grocery stores were all I had dreamt about and my lighter than ever pack made Georgia just fly by. But I was also hiking with a partner, having to become less selfish and aware than ever before. And let's face it, I struggled. The AT was gorgeous, yes there were endless PUDs but it's such a unique and pretty landscape. I loved all the small creatures, this trail was so much more about the micro than the macro. The towns, shelters and whole culture was a big shift. I battled hiking solo and partnership, with whole new levels of emotional turmoil taking over I found myself retreating. On the other two trails I would have small panic attacks in grocery stores. I'm am indecisive person and when confronted with more than just miles, direction and water sources I start to spin. It's another reason I have found hiking such an amazing retreat. Now I found myself panicking in large groups, not an ideal situation on the AT. Finding peace was easiest when pushing myself, hiking long hours lost in my thoughts. It wasn't until maybe Vermont that I started to feel like I was regaining some balance and starting to really enjoy things again. Let's face it, that was one long slog. Looking back at photos the beginning has great memories but it was a very different hike for me than anything I've done before because if the mental game. <br /><br />As I headed through Maine I dreamed about The Great Divide Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail, but even more I thought about a kayak and a garden, I missed my coworkers and my cats. The trail has given me some of my very favorite memories but it's a rough relationship. <br /><br />I've been off the trail for about two months now and have had a whole lot of time for reflection. Not just about the AT but my whole long distance hiking lifestyle. It's funny that this feels like a confession for me. At work I'm constantly asked when I'll be settling down, married, kids, mortgage etc. When hikers found out I was finishing my triple crown the first question was always what's next? And you know I feel guilty saying my first thought still isn't the PNT or the GDT. I'm still dreaming of gardens and kayaks, but also the Wind River High Route and the Sierra High Route, maybe even the Colorado Trail. Everyone has a sweet spot with long trails and I can't imagine leaving the long distance hiking community. I had always heard you do one or you do all three, my problem with that is there are so many more than 3. There are lifetimes worth of trails out there and while the addiction runs deep I'm thinking I need to try tempering it for awhile. <br /><br />The constant cycle of working towards a long hike is draining and the hike itself is no vacation, it's amazing but it's work. And let's face it, I'm still tired with somewhat fresh memories of hard long miles. So for now things move forward. I don't see a long trail this summer but stranger things have happened. For now I'll enjoy this in between. A break from vagabonding leading to different adventures. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30044339673/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/30044339673_2e70c0f349_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Much more fun than mail drops <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30044348623/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/30044348623_07d708226f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30044363363/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/30044363363_1aca8fe01f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Day hikes still are pretty great, Mt Diablo<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30046446944/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5688/30046446944_38a4bac626_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30641338236/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5687/30641338236_8094ca1f50_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Officially a triple crowner with a snazzy new hat. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/30044640033/'><img src='https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5761/30044640033_5a904b3f89_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-20448461450469566042016-09-14T12:36:00.001-07:002016-09-14T12:36:28.035-07:00Day 130: Katahdin!!8/27: The Birches - Katahdin <br />10 miles<br /><br />I knew I wanted an early start today, the ranger had warned a sunny Saturday could mean upwards of 200 people on the summit and that crowd didn't sound appealing. Plus let's face it, it's pretty darn exciting to be here. <br /><br />I heard Mcdubbles rustling around and packing a short time before sunrise and figured if one person was making noise I was free to go ahead. I was out with a quickness and starting up the trail by headlamp. There was a sign in sheet as I started out of the campground and there were already two people ahead of me. So no solo summit but company sounds more fun for this anyhow. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29057916173/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/29057916173_8a6812b8d2_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The first 2 miles were easy by headlamp, it was getting light as I passed Katahdin Stream Falls and I got a few rare glimpses through trees of sunrise and mountains. It was pretty cold but clear where I was hiking. To my west a large cloud bank loomed but I crossed my fingers and climbed. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29057918053/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8759/29057918053_66e79442f7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I think this was one of my very favorite climbs of the whole trail. I'm sure my excitement didn't hurt but it was honestly fun. As it got rockier and I needed my hands more I stowed my trekking poles and really headed up. At first it was narrow and rocky with only a few weird scrambles but as I hit treeline it was full on both arms required to pull you around kind of fun. It was getting colder and I had to pull out my jacket and my poor hands didn't love me because I needed them as I climbed. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29057920163/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/29057920163_466c7ca5c4_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It was straight up scrambling, rebar ladders and foot holds and all around fun. I was having a blast scraping up my hands and hailing myself around. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646922296/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/29646922296_3ac25cace7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After a few very steep spots and a false summit the trail opened up to the beautiful tabletop. I felt like I was in a totally different place, above treeline is always another world. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646925146/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/29646925146_2880b78f1b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646926796/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/29646926796_124c8eed7f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646928986/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/29646928986_cffb360e66_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Lots of trail protection work in action. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646930316/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/29646930316_58540a6aa0_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I made it to the summit and excited started talking to myself only to discover a couple hundred up for warmth napping. After startling them I made some small talk and enjoyed the view. They had wine and cookies and had caught sunrise. I had a little time by myself before people started trickling up. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646932866/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/29646932866_e324818546_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />McDubbles was the first and we took a ton of goofy pictures. I ended up spending 3 hours up on top. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646935156/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/29646935156_d3014dd360_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I walked the mile that was the knifes edge and back because I didn't feel like trying to hitch out of a parking lot at the end of the road. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646936676/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/29646936676_b9eea6a9ec_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646938766/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7766/29646938766_7d3a655b60_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646940336/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/29646940336_683fdd4a6a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646942766/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8774/29646942766_ae8de85518_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Looking back at the Katahdin summit and ahead to the top of the knifes edge. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646944916/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/29646944916_992b26b172_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646946856/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/29646946856_81becf6909_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646949016/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/29646949016_6e3ffbc14e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646950846/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/29646950846_9744808ab8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29682515885/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/29682515885_4e964e9c73_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29682516825/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/29682516825_6e7916e662_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='116' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646953826/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/29646953826_0f72ec210b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='116' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />By the time we left we had quite the group of thruhikers and curious day hikers. But it was getting mighty crowded and we passed a ton of people heading up as we headed down. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646954516/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/29646954516_9fcf797452_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646955316/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8885/29646955316_454ae13ac8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646956376/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/29646956376_ee8da03d7b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646957676/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/29646957676_16063facc6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />A few of us decided to take the Abol trail down, after all we were done with the AT and it would put us about 2 miles closer to the park entrance. Near Thoreau Spring we veered a bit to the left and headed down. We were just on a different spine of the mountain and looking to our right you could see where the AT had climbed up. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646958906/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/29646958906_8b03656f7e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646960346/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/29646960346_22330a51be_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646961436/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/29646961436_91da176c46_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It was still plenty steep and ridiculous but towards the bottom it was a little more dirt and smoother sailing but I was beat. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646963176/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/29646963176_9a9b537d2d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29646965876/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/29646965876_744112e5f2_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had chatted with a couple on our way down and as 3 of us sat collapsed in the campground parking lot exhausted and dazed they offered us a ride to the park entrance. They were on call search and rescue so couldn't take us farther but wished us luck and off we went. <br /><br />The second car that passed took us the rest of the way into the closest town in Millinocket and dropped us off right in front of the hiker hostel there. It sound like everyone else who left the summit later had about an hour longer wait than us but we all hitched into town and ended up at the hostel together. <br /><br />Food and beds, laundry and plane tickets meant a busy evening but a fun one. It was a relief to take of my shoes and now I had to hike no further and my feet agree. Tired and sore but excited and happy I get to spend one more night with a bunch of hikers. What a great journey. <br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-21464331905979627702016-09-10T08:36:00.001-07:002016-09-10T08:59:49.914-07:00Day 129: the Birches8/26: Abol Bridge - the Birches <br />Mile: 2174.1 - 2184.1 (10 miles)<br /><br />I had decided to sleep in one of the lean to's at the campground when I heard it might rain overnight. I had the whole thing to myself and it seemed like a good idea. Especially when the rain started a little after sunset. But the rain was short lived and it was a hot and muggy night with enough bugs to keep me restless. But no mice got into my food or fear and everything is dry so I'll call it a draw. But no more shelters, you'd think I'd know myself by now!<br /><br />With only 10 miles I had thought to sleep in a bit but that was a complete failure. Other people are packing up as I leave but only one other person has already signed in for the Birches campsite when I get to the infamous kiosk sign in sheet. As usual worrying for nothing. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28961541053/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/28961541053_766898aac6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Looking back at the Abol Bridge area, I'm not sure what I expected but this dusty power lined road wasn't quite it. Soon enough it's back to the land of water and into Baxter State Park. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29585068455/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/29585068455_7ce2062d0b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29585086825/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/29585086825_69702f1be6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The trail is flat and easy going, more old fire road than narrow walk way today. It's still muggy and if I stop to long the bugs get busy but I'm trying to take my time. There are lots of short viewpoints this morning, mostly to water and I take advantage of most. The trail seems to be all along large creeks or rivers and it's quite the change when I think back to the beginning of Maine. The one little rocky section is a joke compared to the ridiculousness of my first day in this state. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29585103715/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/29585103715_33e2f5d597_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29504891141/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/29504891141_c188aa616d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29504897971/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/29504897971_d12dc99d9b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29504903141/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/29504903141_9a0e749cd8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29504911111/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/29504911111_2b40ae41ea_b.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28959762764/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/28959762764_f557706d22_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28959763884/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/28959763884_c5a6cf3a8a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Once at the Katahdin Stream Campground I find another hiker and we twiddle our thumbs waiting for the ranger. Eventually he appears from the campground and gives us our official passes and the rundown on the rules. Already there are 9 people signed up for the Birches tonight. I've never been to a park that is so aware of where all the people are. There's a ranger at that first kiosk radioing all the sign ups up to this guy. He's completely friendly and encourages us to hang out at Katahdin Stream as long as we want. I find an outside pavilion and kill a few hours meeting all the folks I saw yesterday as they trickle in. We eventually head the quarter mile up the hill to the dry Birches campsite. Two shelters and a picnic table with plenty of spots to tent. <br /><br />We hang out and people seem to eat and nap in waves. I'm hiding in my tent when I hear Wanderer start playing a ukulele and someone mentions it's our last sunset. It's hidden by the trees but I can't resist and it's a quiet group sitting out taking it all in. It's really a perfect evening before a finish. The wind rustles the trees and the music is quiet and wonderful. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29585377325/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/29585377325_6f5fac142b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-49830497765356007902016-09-09T20:28:00.001-07:002016-09-09T20:31:43.001-07:00Day 128: I can see the mountain 8/25: gravel beach - Abol Bridge<br />Mile: 2149.8 - 2174.1 (24.3 miles)<br /><br />I have another restless night but this time manage to fall back asleep. Heading out I pass other people packing up and even manage to turn back a lady who had started hiking the wrong direction. Then it's a climb up Nesuntabunt Mountain. I feel like I'm in a jungle. The green is back with a vengeance and everywhere I look there are ferns and giant rock faces and boulders covered in moss. I keep picturing Indiana Jones and the holy grail only I'm clumsily slipping on wet rock and stone steps, no flashy footwork and daring escapes for me. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541317466/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8550/29541317466_09b4442858_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541318216/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/29541318216_2690fe95db_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The views are great and I try to stop and enjoy the views. I'm soaked in sweat and it isn't even 7. It's going to be hot today. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541319526/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/29541319526_6de39ae6d8_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29495030711/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/29495030711_5188b816f3_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />As the hours to pass the temperature and number of bugs rise. I feel guilty for not having fun, this is one of my very last days after all. I chat with a guy named Scuba who looks as cranky as I feel. We commiserate and decide it must have to do with being so close to done. In a few short days there will be no more muggy hiking, constant stumbling, and mosquito bites. My brain has jumped ahead, the only problem is that I'm still hiking. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29465517442/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/29465517442_f01f905d1b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29465519082/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/29465519082_4d26695431_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The clouds roll in a bit and the breeze becomes a little more frequent. I hike on and off with Scuba. The chatter helping us both along. After running into a southbound ATC employee out mapping the trail I take some time to hike alone. He was so very heartfelt and almost tearful reminiscing about his previous hike and making it to Katahdin that I really tried to be reflective and happier. It works to some extent and spots like the Rainbow Ledges help. Views of the mountain, open sky and granite. All fantastic things. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541327966/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8557/29541327966_cdce1fc451_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541331426/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/29541331426_e59158f5c4_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541333146/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/29541333146_297634fb9c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Katahdin in the clouds!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541335806/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/29541335806_2d16a38005_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I hike the last 4 miles to Abol Bridge with Scuba. We both hobble on tired feet to the campground store and restaurant. It's less than a mile to the official entrance to Baxter State Park and it's mess of rules and regulations. The park isn't particularly fond of AT hikers and there has been talk about getting the trail out of the park completely. Right now there's one walk up campsite 10 miles into the park 5 miles from the summit available to northbound thruhikers only. The problem is only 12 people can stay, first come first serve. So instead of a long 20 mile day with the second half being a giant mountain the plan is to wake up early, get a camp spot and relax with a 10 mile day. My last full day on the trail. Then I can wake up early to beat the weekend crowds and summit with another 10 mile day. And that's it, and this crazy thing will be done just like that. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-84892384715449959222016-09-09T20:21:00.001-07:002016-09-09T20:21:26.966-07:00Day 127: Lakes, Ponds and Puddles8/24: West Branch Ponds Rd - gravel beach <br />Mile: 2119.3 - 2149.8 (30.5 miles)<br /><br />I wake up at 4 and can't fall back asleep. I close my eyes and lay there until I finally give up and am hiking by 6. At least I get to start my day with delicious spring water. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951996933/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/28951996933_841176c1ce_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's hard to remember what I've read and listened to lately but it's been a fair number of fairy tales and I can't help but see faces in trees and the bodies of giants under the moss covered boulders. It makes for a fun few miles. It's fairly flat but covered in rocks, roots and mud. No shock there. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951998783/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7536/28951998783_8ac53f39c5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I cross the East Branch of the Pleasant river and watch a moose enjoy breakfast. This one is farther away than the last and I can watch without disturbing her, at least for awhile. Not wanting to bother her too much I head up Little Boardman Mountain. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28952000963/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/28952000963_367b8b4dda_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575393095/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/29575393095_f307d01288_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I don't know why but this is one of my favorite privies I've seen lately. Pooping with friends?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541238806/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/29541238806_43902a074e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541239946/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/29541239946_0914369a1e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541240946/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/29541240946_869df35407_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541242216/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8737/29541242216_fc004c3015_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The rest of the day seems all about water. I'm always near a creek, river or pond. It's shockingly flat although I still have to watch my feet a good chunk of the day. Still it's the quickest miles I've made in forever. It probably helps that breaks are dictated by mosquitos. They aren't too bad but you can't sit still for long so unless it's a windy spot breaks are short. And today is hot, and unfortunately not very windy at all. At least the tree cover is nice. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541244476/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/29541244476_07fa3b4e89_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541246396/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/29541246396_f5dd66ba8d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Metal stairs are a first. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541248206/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/29541248206_09c7510214_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541249906/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/29541249906_660bdf8328_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29541251486/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/29541251486_816ba79258_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I manage to catch a little sunset on the lake before devouring my dinner. Something howls in the darkness and it's eerie and beautiful, later I'm told it's loons which makes perfect sense. I'm getting more excited about finishing but there will still be a lot to miss. As usual it's all bittersweet. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-15315397991895293272016-09-09T20:13:00.001-07:002016-09-09T20:13:37.015-07:00Day 126: Chairbacks and Whitcaps 8/23: seasonal stream - West Branch Ponds Rd<br />Mile: 2095.1 - 2119.3 (24.2 miles)<br /><br />It's chilly when I wake up and I don't really want to move. I've looked at the elevation profile today and it looks not as fun as I'd like. I've heard a lot of the folks who went south mention the chair back mountains (there are 4 I get to climb) and it looks like 4 more later in the day along with a whole lot of smaller PUDs (pointless ups and downs). Hopefully the profile is deceiving. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951887693/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8352/28951887693_9a5a19638f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951888473/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7568/28951888473_583c6bbc1b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The cold wind makes the beginning climbs wonderful. They are much smaller than many others I've faced recently and only a bit scrambly. All told it's around 6 miles climbing the peaks but if they weren't named I would have guessed they were the normal rolling nonsense the trail loves. I think the folks going south just haven't yet had the joy of what Maine and New Hampshire seem to consider trail, or their first mountains after 60 or so pretty flat miles was just a big change. Either way its not too hot (despite the guy striding down the trail in only his tighty whities) and it's a lovely morning. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951889833/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8080/28951889833_3cb34cc96f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951891083/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/28951891083_6e996d2bfd_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Around lunch I reach the West Branch of the Pleasant River. It's a quick stop to pull my shoes off and head across. A nice refreshing break for me feet. As I eat my lunch I'm surprised to see a whole lot of people. Asking around I find out it's only 0.2 miles to a parking lot and I'm very close to a popular section of trail that highlights waterfalls. Of course the AT skips the falls and I don't honestly feel any desire to detour. <br /><br />The trail follows Gulf Hagas Brook for 3 miles of very gentle climbing. It's pretty and I even get a few small waterfalls. Then it's the last 4 peaks of the day. The trail is nice and has a shocking number of stone steps but it's some very steep ascents. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951892303/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/28951892303_7a003fee48_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951893353/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/28951893353_cf9ba3c0eb_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Right after the first mountain I'm walking the ridge line thinking there's an awful lot of moose poop when I round a corner to see a moose chomping on a tree. Startled I jump back behind a bush staring at the lovely lady. She tolerates me for a few minutes before tearing up a bit and stomping her front hooves at me. Needless to say I very calmly shrieked and ran away my heart beating about a million times a minute. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575278295/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/29575278295_3927b100b6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575279965/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8356/29575279965_2256c2771b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575281635/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8730/29575281635_ce74bed195_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The last climb is my favorite. Whitecap Mountain is windy and feels above it all. I don't realize until I'm staring that I've been in the trees almost the whole day. The views are stunning and I think I even see Katahdin. I stop and stare on the north side of the mountain. It's a nice refresher on how great it can really be out here. I can fall into a bit of a grind in the trees but Maine has been a really special treat. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575284195/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/29575284195_8cc959bf39_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575285895/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/29575285895_37fd0e6c4c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I pass by a shelter and head a bit farther to a spring to camp. Passing by what might be one of the creepiest things I've seen on trail. At first I'm excited to see the dog up on the rock. Then worried because I don't see any people, then just confused. It's stock still and I'm 99% sure not breathing. The wind doesn't even ruffle it's ears. Did someone taxidermy their dog and leave it as a lookout? I'm lost. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575287695/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/29575287695_41cbd42c72_b.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-82630435832213009302016-09-09T20:03:00.001-07:002016-09-09T20:03:19.969-07:00Day 125: Into the Wilderness 8/22: ME 15 - seasonal stream<br />Mile: 2074.6 - 2095.1 (20.1 miles)<br /><br />It starts raining in the night and I can hear the rain pouring off the roof whenever I wake up. But the bunk room is quiet and I sleep pretty well. My mind is racing suddenly knowing this is over but I manage to get some solid sleep, maybe everyone talking about it has made it more real. It's still raining during breakfast but as we eat the sky lightens and it really stops. I hustle my stuff together and manage to be in the first shuttle back to the trail. This place was a little overwhelming at times with all the hikers but I'm sad to go, Shaw's was a really great stop. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29494656831/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/29494656831_9ba3c12c4b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail immediately enters the 100 mile wilderness, it feels strange to finally be here. I've been hearing about this stretch forever. It's 100 miles to food and my pack is the heaviest it's been in ages but it's cool out and I'm happy to be out. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949632064/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/28949632064_4178ab33b8_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949634224/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8179/28949634224_d2cbfd6d7b_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail is mostly a creek with rocks and occasional bog logs (planks of wood to keep you semi dry). I manage to dodge most of the puddles as I wend my way through the forest around ponds and through the trees. As expected it isn't flat but the small rollers aren't bad and other than a few rather ungraceful slips I manage to stay vertical. Some of those big logs are slicker than the rock!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949635324/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/28949635324_26074406b4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949636874/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/28949636874_aedc036993_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There are rushing rivers/creeks and I finally have to ford some streams. I think it ends up being at least 4 or 5 by the end of the day. The deepest is to my knees but slow flowing and warm enough that it was really just a break to wash my feet. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949638944/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8132/28949638944_79320db59d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949641394/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8897/28949641394_9af131c2cf_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28949644564/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8277/28949644564_0f675f8c08_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951776323/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/28951776323_b79712eee4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then it's 2000 ft up to Barren Mountain. As expected in Maine it's rocks and roots but the glimpses of never ending green forest and lakes are fantastic and it's a fun climb. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951778313/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/28951778313_c5b386affd_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951779833/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/28951779833_bebe05c264_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951780643/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/28951780643_9e895a95d7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951781273/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/28951781273_75c4da3ded_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575129075/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/29575129075_8f2c84afde_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The ridge line is muddy and puddle filled and I finally trip enough to get my whole foot submerged in mud but overall it's not too bad. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29575130605/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/29575130605_568f4c1208_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'd planned to start heading up into the Chair Mountains but for the last few hours the wind has picked up and it's actually cold out. I decide to treat myself and in a lovely pine grove stop early. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-22279824749327836542016-09-09T19:53:00.001-07:002016-09-09T19:53:06.963-07:00Day 124: and the last zero8/21<br />Miles: 0<br /><br />Shaw's hostel is run by Poet and Hippie Chick, former thruhikers and all around lovely people. Plus Poet makes some beyond delicious home fries. Not a bad way to start my last zero day. A day of reading, wandering around the tiny town and letting my sore knees rest. <br /><br />I sort my food, see a new rush of people wander in and listen. It's a rush of people who are so very excited and so many who are so ready to be done. I understand both emotions and right now it doesn't seem like anything other than a week of camping, maybe I'll feel differently later this week. <br /><br />I listen to it pour rain overnight reinforcing my happiness at not walking today. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951677173/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/28951677173_3b911b7cb2_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28951677813/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/28951677813_84f955990b_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-48538453961763434192016-09-09T19:10:00.001-07:002016-09-09T19:10:16.041-07:00Day 123: Moxie to Monson 8/20: Moxie Bald Mountain - ME 15 (Monson)<br />Mile: 2054.6 - 2074.6 (20 miles)<br /><br />I wake up to a man's voice telling me the sun is rising. I hadn't set an alarm and am rather startled, the wind is still howling and I'm a bit disoriented. I slowly pull every single piece of clothing I have on (it's really cold up here) and meet my neighbor. I then spend almost 2 hours watching the sun rise chatting with a Ph.D. Professor who has also maintained a section of AT in the upcoming 100 mile wilderness since 1994. It's a surprisingly thoughtful conversation to start at dawn and thoroughly enjoyable. Trail life can be such a trip. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29464553492/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/29464553492_33899b4661_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29464554882/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7794/29464554882_3c4d0d03b7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29464556772/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/29464556772_103c9de92a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29493984641/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/29493984641_afc8eabcd4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29493986921/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/29493986921_c062e4e91a_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's stunning but other than a puddle and I'm soon to discover a dried up spring water is scarce so off to the next pond I head. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29493990061/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/29493990061_f99af14cee_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29493991751/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/29493991751_9c740acb3d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I realize I'm awfully tired when I find a small creek a little before the pond after negotiating the usual rocky terrain and sit down on a rock in the middle of the stream. I drink water and debate moving, it's sounds awfully hard but a little extra snack and coffee help. I'm heading to town and it still sounds awfully far away but some extra food will be awfully nice. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29493994321/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/29493994321_09b7179810_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Walking down the trail I started a moose, although this one is gone after just a moment of staring, trotting down the trail and around the bend. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29464581822/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/29464581822_0bcab6ca9f_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail is supposedly flat and downhill for pretty much the rest of the day but there are still rocky enough sections. But I put on music and am able to cruise over a surprising amount. I love it when I can actually hike. <br /><br />The trail follows rivers for pretty much the rest of the day. I try to rock hop one crossing and sink one whole foot but do pretty well. The East branch of the Piscataquis is usually knee but slow flowing according to the guide but I'm able to rock hop across, a reflection of how dry it's been. <br /><br />But it's pleasant and the walking slowly down the canyon alongside swimming holes and rushing water is a pretty sweet way to head into town. There's a blue blaze straight into town about the same length as the trail after Lake Hebron. I opt for that and cruise around the lake. I pass an old slate quarry which is pretty cool and then am in the small town of Monson at Shaw's hiker hostel. This place is pretty well known being the start or finish for the hundred mile wilderness and is full of people. I'm a bit overwhelmed and after I find a bed I wander into town alone unsure of how to handle all the stimulation. I head to the community center for the newly required permit for Baxter and estimate a finish date which is surreal and includes a lot of nodding and yes ma'am I'll respect all the rules answers but is pretty painless. <br /><br />With a better handle on myself and my anxiety after an early dinner alone at the barbecue restaurant I finally head back to the hostel. I'm am happy to see a few familiar faces have rolled in. As my last trail town I've already planned to take tomorrow off and seeing superman and stowaway have shown up all is well in my little world. I first met these two lovely guys back around 4th of July and just saw them again in Caratunk. I'd hoped I'd get to see them again. The next hours were relaxing around a campfire listening to Stowaways fantastic tales of working in a pawn shop in Cherokee North Carolina and others huge life changes that brought them out here. The conversation turns from silly to hugely significant at times and I'm continually reminded tonight how many different folks the trail brings together and how happy it can make me. We stay up far too late but no one is going anywhere in the morning so it's fine and cozy and wonderful. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-76866691366034242502016-09-07T22:23:00.001-07:002016-09-07T22:23:06.653-07:00Day 122: Kennebec and Caratunk8/19: past East Carry Pond - Moxie Bald Mountain <br />Mile: 2028.3 - 2054.6 (26.3 miles)<br /><br />It's not a perfect nights sleep but it's better than my night before. My pace has been so unpredictable with roots, rocks and who knows what that I figure this morning is no time for dilly dallying, I have a ferry to catch. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29245938930/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/29245938930_69c2228e17_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's lovely easy pine needle soft trail to start. The surrounding woods are thick with debris and the warning cries of squirrels and the trail even dips through a marsh with lingering mist and a lovely cold inversion. I'm so busy watching a squirrel eat a pinecone that I don't even register the moose until it's crashing away through the brush. Does it count as a moose sighting if all I really saw was its backside in a bush?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29501004986/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/29501004986_8fb0b37144_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The next miles aren't bad. Passing Pierce Pond the trail turns to follow the raging creek, it's all cascades and waterfalls as I start to head more steeply downhill. I'm just thinking how lovely it all is when my foot skates off a root and I find myself sitting in the dirt half falling off a steep edge of slippery pine needles. I have a small temper tantrum sitting there feeling sorry for myself and stay grouchy for a solid mile or two. It suddenly seems as if the trail is only roots, rocks or pointless very small climbs when I know I'm dropping down over a thousand feet in the next mile. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29535462875/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8835/29535462875_9a8b36f9a1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />When I make it to the Kennebec River I cheer up. Another hiker appears behind me and we try to figure out how this whole ferry thing works out. A canoe pops into view and we realize there's our guy. He takes another two across and returns for us. He's amazing and answers all of our silly questions. While I may have been able to walk a river that's 400 ft wide below a dam it's actively discouraged and the whole reason a ferryman is employed just for hikers during the season. So as long as you can get there from 9-2 pm you're in luck. There's a neat website (accompanied by a good article/rant) about the ferry and it's purpose, http://www.matc.org/for-hikers/kennebec-river-ferry/. <br /><br />Across the river is the town of Caratunk, I believe the smallest town I've been on while out here. A B&B/hostel has reopened after a few years off and at just 0.1 off trail it's a great stop. An historic old house with a shady porch, electricity, great storytellers and milkshakes. No question here. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29535471545/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/29535471545_e644424ef3_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's hard but I tear myself away from the welcoming hikers and host and start the slow steady miles of the afternoon. There's water and it's hot and humid plus a giant milkshake might not have been the best idea in heat but I enjoy the miles. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28910536094/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/28910536094_fd3939b6a4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28910538574/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8813/28910538574_1b00e3b06e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I decide to try to make it to the top of Moxie Bald to camp. There's a lot of wide easy trail and large flat rock to hike up, of course the last bit is pretty rocky and dark enough that I need my headlamp just in case. The steepness and disconcerting small things scurrying in a cave the trail butts up against help me speed up the last little bit. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28910540534/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/28910540534_32d1939594_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I miss sunset but I watch a giant orange moon rise. It's been forever since I just sat and watched the stars. Crickets are everywhere and there's a breeze but it's not too cold yet. At least if everything gets wet I know I'm going to town tomorrow. Mostly I'm just trying to be stealthy and quiet because someone else had my bright idea and is already sound asleep on the summit. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-29921890936271091172016-09-07T11:04:00.001-07:002016-09-07T11:04:22.912-07:00Day 121: I Love the Bigelows 8/18: Viewpoint - past East Carry Pond<br />Mile: 2005.2 - 2028.3 (23.1 miles)<br /><br />Do you know that feeling of an involuntary muscle twitch? Sometime after midnight I thought my back was spasming. While strange I honestly didn't think much of it, then it happened again and I had the sinking suspicion something had just scampered over me. My light confirmed it, a mouse had just run across my back. I hadn't fully closed my mesh after a bathroom trip and here was my reward. Thankfully it was easy enough to shoo it out the door but my sleep was pretty pathetic after that. No damage to my gear that I've found yet but we'll see. Good morning nature. <br /><br />It's a cold and misty start, I feel like I'm in a fairy forest and I'm in love with this stretch. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902936063/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/28902936063_68c54b6f69_b.jpg' border='0' width='2400' height='2400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The mist comes and goes and and I get a glimpse of Horns pond before heading down to it. I can't see the peaks I'm climbing to but I know the trail heads up. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902938983/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/28902938983_eafb243209_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902941593/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/28902941593_b2ec48abd5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902947743/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/28902947743_b336f734f3_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Leaving Horns pond and campsite it's more magical fairy forest. Little flowers and the ever abundant moss are perfect this morning. It's a climb up but then just a series of smaller climbs all morning. First up is the North and South Horn. The mist blows around and I get secret glimpses. I keep underestimating how many lakes Maine really has. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902951153/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/28902951153_11e5fe04ae_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902955133/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/28902955133_a4d8aa976b_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902959773/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8291/28902959773_4fbc755884_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29445127921/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8688/29445127921_5993e25d6d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After the Horns it's up to West Bigelow Peak. It's gloriously windy and I take a million pictures. I can't get over how great it is up here. I think I've only gone 4 miles by 10, I just keep stopping and soaking it all in. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29445131691/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/29445131691_0e7f6ab354_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29445134441/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/29445134441_23ed669f0d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='100' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29445137731/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/29445137731_10d382b5d5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There's even a spring box with perfect cold clear water in the middle of a ridge. Water and mountains. My favorite. I turn a corner and have a short state down with a pine marten, it's not in the mood for photos but leaves me grinning and even happier. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29235497710/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/29235497710_c7d31f7404_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29235501040/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/29235501040_7c8c988245_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The last peak is Bigelow Avery, one of the main people behind the whole AT. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29235503130/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/29235503130_3a4ed1832d_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then it's time to head back down. It's a long ways down alongside the babble of creeks towards the ponds I've been admiring all morning. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29235505320/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/29235505320_08e13573fc_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29235507370/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7582/29235507370_1f19512c3f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902985723/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8269/28902985723_663710548f_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902987683/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8084/28902987683_c47c616730_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902991843/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/28902991843_5d5f717acd_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail becomes a magical highway that I can cruise along making today even better. Yes there were sections filled with roots but breaks make all the difference. I chat with a trail maintainer, this has bee his section for over 20 years and because of him I get fresh new white blazes marking trail today, another treat. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902993903/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/28902993903_4ccb7f8a25_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28902996253/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/28902996253_485cac6be1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29491004866/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/29491004866_aabe7288b6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I had thought to camp at East Carry Pond but I have to go farther to find a flat spot. It's warm tonight but my feet are tired and it's only 46 miles to Mondon, my very last trail town. And tomorrow I cross the Kennebec River by ferry (a canoe is actually the ferry, sponsored by the ATC) and can stop worrying about that timing issue. So many milestones are creeping past! <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-54197906076446531992016-09-04T20:26:00.001-07:002016-09-04T20:26:06.009-07:00Day 120: To Stratton 8/17: Spaulding Mountain Lean to - Viewpoint<br />Mile: 1987.4 - 2005.2 (17.8 miles)<br /><br />It rained all night, never pouring but a steady light rain that lulled me to sleep and kept it cool. I was packing up before most of the other people thrilled at how dry I was. After 5000 plus miles I think I'm finally done fighting with my tent in rainstorms. <br /><br />Grabbing water I head out into the mist. This is a silly decision as it turns out the trail is in fact a creek. The rain was heavy enough that I give up dodging puddles and just slog through ankle deep water whenever the trail heads downhill. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28840479654/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8269/28840479654_14d8bcdac3_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm actually in love with the morning. It's chilly and feels like a magical forest. I can get small glimpses around me but it's mostly just cloud and trees. I don't think it's actually raining anymore but every time the wind gusts water pours down from the trees, but I'm loving the forest so I'm finding it hard to care. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29430481146/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/29430481146_5321bbcb17_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I climb Spaulding Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain although I have zero visibility up on top so really it's just a forested climb. Although the wind is definitely whipping up high. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29176370400/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/29176370400_035b4174d5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29176379870/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/29176379870_742856a2d2_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The trail is on some open rocky hillsides which feels different than usual, I'm still not quite used to seeing open sky on this trail. There's some scrambling down requiring both hands and more flexibility than I feel like my stiff knees have in them but I make it to the S Carrabassett River and manage to only sink one foot in on the crossing. I chat with a southbounder who is standing open mouthed at the river. He's stunned by how much it rose overnight and is not happy when I mention the creek masquerading as trail in his future. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29176390650/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/29176390650_a3f714c0f2_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's one last haul up to North and South Crocker Mountain and then a long slow descent to RT 27. Another hiker has just gotten a ride as I get to the parking lot and they squeeze me in as they pull out. A few minutes later I'm in Stratton. The motel is more of a hostel and they let a few of us hang out and charge phones and stash our stuff even though we aren't staying. I manage to resupply and even dry my stuff when the sun finally appears. There's a ton of hikers and it's hard to leave but I've spent a lot of times in town recently and really feel like hiking. One of the motel guys gives me a lift back to the trail at 6:30 and I'm back in the woods just like that. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29176394140/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/29176394140_38bef62b98_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I spend the next 5 miles lost in thought. I keep coming back to how much I enjoyed my hike yesterday and why. I think a lot of it was actually hiking, not just scrambling or bouldering or whatever it is that is so called trail out here. Between Saddleback yesterday and some of the climb this morning I'm really loving hiking and more than happy with my decision to bail out of town. I'm so busy watching a squirrel I shouldn't be surprised when I trip and almost face plant. And just like that the trail brings me back down to earth. I wait to long to find a campsite and end up berating myself in the dark with a dim headlamp and more bouldering style trail. Luckily there's a flat spot at a viewpoint and I set up in the dark. I can see the lights of cities below and the wind is howling. Cozy in my tent I'm happy and starting to get all melancholy about the trail ending soon. Nothing surprising there but I'm glad the good has been outweighing the frustrated cranky version of the trail. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-70994970208046478562016-09-04T18:56:00.001-07:002016-09-04T18:56:04.920-07:00Day 119: Saddleback8/16: Powerlines - Spaulding Mountain Shelter<br />Mile: 1961 - 1987.4 (26.4 miles)<br /><br />I'm tired and apparently not in a photo happy mood. It's a wooded forest and pond kind of morning. Nothing too different, I seem to trip constantly and it's not the easiest staying cheerful. I pass a trail crew at a campsite and a canoe sitting at the edge of a pond. But it's a behemoth and I'm thinking solo it would be not so fun. Overall a rolling slow start to the day. <br /><br />It isn't until over 7 miles later when I'm crossing a real road at RT 4 that I start to perk up a bit. It's time to climb. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28839139614/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/28839139614_8fa0d1e428_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />5 miles and about 2500 ft later I reach the beginnings of the saddlebacks. The first is Saddleback Mtn, then the horn and finally Junior Saddleback. It's a lot of time above tree level which I love plus there are ripe blueberries. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28839142784/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/28839142784_fd3a9d8c28_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29463299935/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/29463299935_47a29789c5_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29463302515/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/29463302515_e2d3df0667_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Looking towards the horn is a perfect snack break. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29463304815/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/29463304815_0c4e7e1f04_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Coming down its steep rocky typical Maine. I've been leapfrogging another hiker for a bit and we end up hiking a solid 6 plus miles together. It doesn't sound like much but since I hike alone pretty much 99% of the time 3 hours of new conversation is pretty great. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29463311355/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/29463311355_8588e24ee1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We make solid time and head downhill for ages. The other hiker, Yardsale takes a nasty spill catching his foot on a root and decides to stop about 2 miles before the shelter. He's fine but is favoring the knee he fell on after injuring it not that long ago. I say goodbye to my new friend bad start hauling up the last mountain of the day. <br /><br />The clouds that have been hovering all afternoon finally open up and my last hour is a light rain. Flat spots have been so inconsistent and with rain already falling I want a good campsite so I can stay dry. I call it a night at the shelter surprised to see at least 8 hikers I know. I squeeze into a spot and hope my tent cooperates tonight. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-41571102970209688732016-08-30T11:54:00.001-07:002016-08-30T11:54:11.148-07:00Finish updateI summited Mt Katahdin on Saturday 8/27 finishing the AT and completing the triple crown. It was crazy and wonderful and an altogether fantastic day. I'm currently playing tourist in Maine before getting back to the whole work for a living thing. I'm clearly behind but will catch up shortly. Maine was gorgeous and a great end to the trail. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28721074704/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8273/28721074704_fba24797a7_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-75378702945287272142016-08-21T16:04:00.001-07:002016-08-21T16:04:06.850-07:00Day 118: Blue and Bemis8/15: S Arm Rd - Powerlines<br />Mile: 1942.3 - 1961 (18.7 miles)<br /><br />I finally really leave the cabin and 4 of us start the climb up Old Blue Mountain. It's 2200 ft up but there's a breeze and going slow it's a good solid climb. Up on top we eat leftover breakfast and head out at separate paces. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854671850/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/28854671850_147757b927_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28523322943/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7588/28523322943_9817cab038_b.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28523324833/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8548/28523324833_b9188c09eb_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's actually nice trail and I can really walk for a bit. I love the soft pine needle covered ground and am just trying to remember the roots are slick even if they look dry. The it's up Bemis Mountain. Along the ridge is swathes of open granite, great views and lots of ripe blueberries. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141976335/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7773/29141976335_5fa12d4700_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854677580/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/28854677580_9de4f8ea77_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />At the base of one road I get trail magic and a mile later I get more! Less miles but unexpected snacks are nothing I'm going to be unhappy about. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854678910/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/28854678910_24071d13e7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854679940/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/28854679940_5dfe97f80e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854681650/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/28854681650_3d63d2fc60_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There are never ending ponds in Maine although they are huge, more lakes than ponds but either way they are awfully pretty. Unfortunately also filled with leeches but beggars can't be choosers. <br /><br />I head a bit past a shelter and find a perfect flat spot under some power lines. Not the most picturesque but it's flat which is a rarity out here. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-64379010796466741172016-08-21T16:03:00.003-07:002016-08-21T16:03:19.888-07:00Day 117: Zero at the cabin8/14: 0 miles<br /><br />I had every intention of leaving, I really did but my section hiking friend was staying and it was horribly muggy outside so hiking was a loss today. But it was a fantastic day off with great people. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141965885/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8267/29141965885_546f576630_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-10551264078238866652016-08-21T16:03:00.001-07:002016-08-21T16:03:04.724-07:00Day 116: Slacking off8/13: Slack from S Arm Rd - East B<br />10 miles<br /><br />I eat a giant breakfast while it drizzles outside. I'm offered the option to slack pack and I figure why not. Slack packing is honestly just day hiking. I still carry a bunch of my gear but don't have to carry anything but snacks and get picked up at a designated spot. So I can get drenched all day and still eat dinner and enjoy a warm bed. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141952685/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/29141952685_52017f6a06_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141953485/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/29141953485_fb72bb7e37_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Almost everyone else at the cabin did the slack the day before so it's just me. I get dropped off and head up into the mist. It's hard to tell when it's really raining, every time the wind blows it feels like it's pouring. Either way it's a wet white out kind of morning. At the top of the first 2000 ft climb I get this awesome view. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141954505/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/29141954505_fef74c91f7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />But I'm having a great time and it's fun knowing I only have 10 miles to do today. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141955235/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/29141955235_1b6b21cdea_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141955975/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/29141955975_e5f693803a_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's wet and slick and the seasons feel like their changing. There are two big climbs and descents the first half and the descents are of course rocky and slow. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141957275/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/29141957275_ab4c06df2c_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I run into a group of 6 slacking the other direction which is fun and I love the camaraderie even hiking in different directions. The rain continues but the second half of the day is sailing. Easy trail and I'm actually walking not scrambling. Ponds aren't for swimming today but they still are pretty. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141958725/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/29141958725_d5f653e9af_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's early afternoon and I get to take a hot shower and relax before we head into town for an all you can eat Italian night. The rain has created a bottle beck of hikers and there are a ton of people around. I'm most excited to see a section hiker I met in Gorham who I happily spend the evening chattering away with. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141960135/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/29141960135_bd4237d203_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-48489344036999608042016-08-21T16:01:00.001-07:002016-08-21T16:01:36.087-07:00Day 115: Andover8/12: Little Baldpate - Andover (East B Rd)<br />Mile: 1926.4 - 1932.2 (5.8 miles)<br /><br />Around 4 am a large group of French folks loudly tromp by and eventually I fall back asleep. Then it's crazy steep slick rock. There are ladders and even rope in one spot. It's one of the first days I actually have to regularly sit on my butt to safely scoot down the mountain. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28520184884/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/28520184884_883c7f21fc_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28520186104/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7584/28520186104_17356c2189_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's technically downhill but there's enough small climbs that I'm tired and looking forward to town. It's incredibly humid and it's a long start to a day. <br /><br />Andover actually has two roads you can hitch from so my day will be either 6 or 16 miles. My plan is for 16 miles but I meet a couple day hiking a few minutes before the road and am offered a ride. It starts raining as we drive and I feel more than happy with my decision. <br /><br />Andover is a one block town. I find a hiker I know and we eat breakfast and debate. It's drizzling and the hostel in town is full. You can camp behind the restaurant but I go out on a limb and call a place called the cabin. It's a great decision. We're picked up and driven a few miles outside of the main town to a lovely cabin with plenty of space just for hikers. It starts pouring and we make ourselves comfortable. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854632500/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/28854632500_2a9de660a7_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29141935575/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8688/29141935575_36f6cee83b_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28520192214/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8692/28520192214_205557ebb4_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Honey and Bear are our hosts and have been involved in the hiker community forever. They are wonderful folks filled with stories and great cooks to boot. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28520194184/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/28520194184_6274bc3309_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Dinner is quite the affair with around 8 hikers and a ridiculous amount of food. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28520196144/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/28520196144_4dc991fda9_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The house is as full of history as my hosts. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29064325951/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8882/29064325951_35b432b07d_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The photo is of the very first official northbound and southbound hikers on the AT. Pictured in back are Honey and Bear and all around are little things hikers have made and done. Stained glass, wood carving, bird houses you name it. What a special place. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854638010/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/28854638010_3d696c155e_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28854638660/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8330/28854638660_b7fafd5fdc_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710991328962090980.post-27280061721657038052016-08-21T10:42:00.001-07:002016-08-21T10:42:34.941-07:00Day 114: Mahoosuc8/11: Carlo Col Shelter - Little Baldpate<br />Mile: 1907.7 - 1926.4 (19 miles)<br /><br />My first night officially in a shelter is uneventful and I pack up as quietly as I can. There are other people stirring but I have the trail to myself. It's sunny but misty and all of the rock is slick and makes for slow going as I climb up to the goose peaks. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29099604926/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/29099604926_47d0be1b07_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29027127722/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/29027127722_491d78d48f_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />There's a ton of walking on boards and through a bog that I seem to move through like molasses. I think yesterday tired me out more than I thought. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28510447854/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/28510447854_3fa12c2cac_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28513571743/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/28513571743_0058cf9c27_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29132322815/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/29132322815_889037014c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='209' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's a long steep descent down to Mahoosuc Notch and I'm excited but a little nervous, a description of the notch: <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28510461954/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/28510461954_f544fb5023_b.jpg' border='0' width='157' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I collapse my poles and strap them to pack setting out unsure how fun this will really be. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29027888992/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/29027888992_8ce386eac6_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29133036825/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/29133036825_d4b182b483_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Can I just say the notch turns out to be absolutely amazing. It's the most fun I've had in trail in I can't remember how long. I feel like I'm buzzing I'm having such a great time. The rocks weren't slick and it's this crazy jumble of bouldering and bouncing that I enjoy so much more than I expected. I would happily repeat the thing but instead it's time to head up Mahoosuc Arm. 1500 ft in a mile it's one of the steepest climbs on the whole AT. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28514395333/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/28514395333_b6eb3e71e0_b.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The photo does it no justice. It's crazy steep, more boulder style climbing and straight up sheets of rock using tree roots as handholds. But it's fun and other than being semi exhausted I'm reenergized and having a fantastic day. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29133059275/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/29133059275_6620f10b93_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The trail heads down last Speck pond and then straight back up Speck Mountain. It's more insane steep and very exposed rock. I would very much not like this in the wet. Up and over its a knee jarring kind of afternoon. Making it all the way down to a parking lot at Grafton Notch I collapse on a rock, take full advantage of a trash can and stare into space for a bit. This hike is exhausting. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28846266140/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/28846266140_ccb6ceacb5_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I start the climb up Baldpate Mountain it's steep and I'm tired but I've heard it has a ton of steep open rock face trail and with possible rain overnight I really want to get as much of it done as I can. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28848386620/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/28848386620_d7ea1be32c_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29135329675/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/29135329675_614ae680f1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29135331715/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8878/29135331715_1fcc29bd40_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I make it up and over West Baldpate which is rocky and steep and tiring as expected but the big open dome of the East Peak looms as the sun sets. I scramble to the top in the gorgeous light and think about how much ice truly loved today. I eat blueberries and start the steep descent. It's wide open swathes of rock and it's quick with dry rock but I'm exhausted. When I find a perfect campsite at little Baldpate tucked right below treeline and 10 minutes before dark I can't pass it up. I'll finish the descent in the morning. For now I sit on the rock watching the clouds change colors loving life. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29102729776/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/29102729776_f643cd9243_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/28513598734/'><img src='https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/28513598734_684b987ca1_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/20648132@N03/29102735506/'><img src='https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7795/29102735506_3426549032_b.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The expected clouds never roll in and instead I'm treated to the Perseid meteor shower, a trade off I'm pretty thrilled with. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763375093131869554noreply@blogger.com0