I left for the trail again after talking to mom, Chris, and Caroline. It was good to hear their voices and talk to them before beginning such a hard portion of the trail. I started hiking with Stick and Flying Turtle. Stick thru-hiked last year and came to support Turtle as he finished last year’s […]
Stratton Maine – AT Thru-Hike Days 26 27
Locations: Stratton Motel (Stratton, ME) I hiked six miles to the road quickly. The mosquitoes woke me with bites on the forehead, and Sourball kept me up with his talking. I buried myself in my sleeping bag but he kept telling me facts about the trail and Maine. As a third generation thru-hiker and trail […]
Another Encounter with Sourball – AT Thru-Hike Day 25
Location: Somewhere in the Bigelows, ME I started late today because I only had six miles to hike. Last night there was a terrible rainstorm. The wind blew harder than I’ve felt on this trip yet, and I learned today from a caretaker that the temperature dropped to 42F. The winds kept me awake last […]
Climbing into the Bigelows – AT Thru-Hike Day 24
Location: Safford Notch A hard rain convinced me to stay in my sleeping bag this morning. I heard thunder in the distance, even though the rain rattled the tin roof of the lean-to like a snare drum. I decided I would not take even the slightest chance with lightning, because of my last encounter. Wolfman […]
Trail Name Wayward – AT Thru-Hike Day 23
Location: Unnamed Shelter July has come and I am three weeks into my trip. Today I’ll say that I’m done with cigarettes. I’ve visited two towns, drank beer three nights and been around smokers each of those nights, and I have resisted temptation. In The Forks, ME, I didn’t even crave nicotine. This hike has […]
Calling Loons on Pierce Pond – AT Thru-Hike Day 22
Location: Pierce Pond, ME The last day of June. I missed the shuttle to the trail head this morning. Northern Outdoors only runs one shuttle a day, so I walked the highway to Longley’s store. It’s specifically stocked for the thru-hiker and is owned and operated by the same man who operates the canoe ferry […]
Northern Outdoors Zeros at the Brewery – AT Thru-Hike Day 20 and 21
Location: Northern Outdoors (Carratunk, ME) No entry. I hiked to Northern Outdoors. I failed to hitch a ride because of the rain. I felt awkward, almost embarrassed, about hitchhiking. I felt angry when people didn’t pick me up. The road was full of logging trucks that sped down the highway, spraying me with water each […]
Second Longest Hike and Worst Fall To Date – AT Thru-Hike Day 19
I left the lean-to this morning before Gino and Kyle had finished their breakfast. Gino snored loudly and I didn’t sleep well. The loons on the pond woke me up this morning. The loons sound like howling dogs, and they talk back and forth at first light. I thought the day might be rainy, however […]
Zero Day in Moxie Bald Shelter – AT Thru-Hike Day 18
I decided not to leave Moxie Bald lean-to today. When I woke up, the rain was falling hard. Wane No and Brooks left for Caratunk. I stayed in my sleeping bag and fell back asleep. I soon awoke with a stomach cramp. I just made it to the privy on time. I think I caught […]
Meet Sourball, the author of Dreaming the Appalachian Trail – AT Thru-Hike Day 17
Tim and Eric left Horseshoe Canyon lean-to before me today. I left after eating two bowls of Raisin Bran and a granola bar, a pretty typical breakfast for me out on the trail. The day started easily. The trail was flat and straight and I followed the Piscataquis toward the West Branch ford. When I […]