I stayed yesterday at the Stratton motel and finally organized and transcribed my journal. I mailed it home for safekeeping. I left the Stratton Motel today after saying goodbye to Don. I promised to send a postcard whether or not I make it to Springer Mountain. His business partner drove me the 20 miles to […]
Stratton Motel Zero Day – AT Thru-Hike Day 31
I took a day off at the Stratton Motel. My knee hurts from my fall and may need another day of rest tomorrow. I hope the swelling will go down overnight. I watched the World Cup game with some hikers also taking a break today. One hiker, Southern Comfort, is from Greenville, SC and graduated […]
Hiking Saddleback Mountains – AT Thru-Hike Day 30
After a long day yesterday, I had a much better day today. We crossed Saddleback Jr., The Horn, and Saddleback Mountain. I took some good pictures, I hope. The mountains were difficult, of course; but we hiked six miles above tree line which made the hike unique. We had lunch on Saddleback. As we headed […]
Top 7 Things You Must Have in the 100 Mile Wilderness for a Southbound Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
So you want to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail southbound? Well below are 7 must-have items I recommend for starting the Appalachian Trail southbound thru-hike, and specifically for hiking the notorious 100 Mile Wilderness, which can punish to would-be thru-hiker. Each year, a couple thousand people start their thru-hike at Springer Mountain, Georgia and start hiking north. […]
Poplar Ridge Hiking – AT Thru-Hike Day 29
We hiked a difficult 13 miles today. While no day longer than 10 miles is easy, today’s hike took us to peaks over 4000ft and valleys between peaks at 1500ft. At the end to the day, Stick, Turtle, and I debated whether to camp at the river that we had forded or climb to Poplar […]
Hello Stick and Hello Turtle – AT Thru-Hike Day 28
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 […]