Location: Madison Springs Hut, White Mountains Snake and Grizzly woke up around 5:00am and they woke me up while packing their bags. It was warm inside the ski patrol hut, but I didn’t want to get off the couch or out of my sleeping bag. Finally I climbed out as Snake and Grizzly left for […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meeting My First Fellow Thru-Hikers – AT Thru-Hike Day 8
Location: Unknown Shelter I got more than I bargained for by wishing for a person to visit the shelter. Almost immediately as I zipped into my sleeping bag for a late evening nap, a kid of 10 or 11 years raced around the corner, shouting into a two way radio. I thought, ‘Oh Lord, here […]
Flooded Appalachian Trail – AT Thru-Hike Day 4
Location: Wadleigh Creek I thought I would never find Wadleigh Creek. The day seemed to draw on and on without end. Several times I considered setting up my tent, just so my aching knees could rest. My right knee hurts the most, on the inner and upper parts around my kneecap. Tomorrow I’ll wrap it […]
Sore Knees and Feet From Hiking – AT Thru-Hike Day 3
Location: Rainbow Spring Campground My first sunny day on the trail the trail was still socked. Often I was wading through creek beds. Stepping stones and placed logs were usually underwater. I am back on schedule, having hiked only a few miles today. Perhaps I should have pushed onward, but I didn’t know how much […]
Katahdin Stream Campground – AT Thru-Hike Day 1
Location: Katahdin Stream Campground Mom and I drove for nearly two hours through Baxter State Park. We weren’t sure exactly where to go, so we didn’t get to the campground until the early afternoon. My hike will be postponed one more day. Tomorrow, if the weather allows it, I’ll summit Mt. Katahdin and return here […]