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 […]
Horseshoe Canyon – AT Thru-Hike Day 16
I left Shaw’s alone today around 2:00pm. I only had to hike eight miles to the next shelter. The Nerd Herd, as Tim calls them, a group that we met on the trail, left early in the morning for Moxie Bald. Tim and Eric returned to highway 15 to restart their hike. I decided to […]
Kayak Fishing on Lake Hebron – AT Thru-Hike Day 15
Location: Shaw’s Boarding House, Monson, ME Tim and I woke up early to fish. We ate the first breakfast and then headed out in the rain to buy a Maine fishing license and rent a canoe. We couldn’t find a canoe, so we rented a two man kayak. Tim, from Boiling Springs, PA, has recently […]
Shaw’s Boarding House – AT Thru-Hike Day 14
Location: Shaw’s Boarding House I hiked the last ten miles to Shaw’s in the morning. I was highly motivated by the thought of a town with hot food and cold beer. I left the campsite last. My body requires more and more sleep to recharge. My legs were wobbly today. I don’t yet have the […]
100 Miles Wild Behind Me, 2100 Remaining – AT Thru-Hike Day 13
Location: Outside Monson, Maine Tim and I hike most of the day together. The hike was wet and messy. The rain fell off and on. When we were coming down Barren early in the day, Tim and I followed Eric, who led us off the trail and a mile down an overgrown fire lane that […]
Nearly Killed by Lightning on the Appalachian Trial – AT Thru-Hike Day 12
Location: Cloud Pond Greg began south again at first light, which here comes at around 5:00am. The sun had not yet risen, but this far north, gray light appears hours before sunrise. I left the lean-to before Tim and Eric. The day began beautifully. I knew that I wouldn’t have water for the last five […]
Chairback Mountain, The StairMaster from Hell – AT Thru-Hike Day 11
Location: Unknown Shelter Greg and I began hiking together this morning. We forded the West Branch of the Pleasant River. Greg crossed without shoes and I decided to cross in my flip flops. The water was only knee deep and fairly calm. I was surprised there wasn’t a bridge because the area was very tourist […]
My Simple Secret to Successfully Thru-Hike Appalachian Trail – AT Thru-Hike Day 10
Location: Newhall Shelter Joe and Max left before me this morning. They planned 16 miles and I only planned nine, so I doubt I’ll ever see them again. On the last descent of the day, Greg caught up to me. I have to slow down on the manmade rock stairs on the mountain. While nature […]
Simple Rivers and Simple Miles – AT Thru-Hike Day 9
Location: Unknown Shelter I was the first to leave the shelter. I hiked eleven miles. I was well rested. I forded the East Branch of the Pleasant River, and I had very little trouble. The rapids had swelled because of the rain, but I was able to find a calm, waist deep route across the […]