Daily Miles: 9.1, Total Miles: 2,182.3 Warm evening but cooled off a bit early in the morning. The loons gave a rousing concert last night singing and crying every song they knew – repeatedly. Just beautiful and seemed fitting for my last night on a Maine lake near the end of my AT hike. Happy to have a dry night and only a few clouds in the morning. Heat, humidity and annoying gnats, skeeters and black flies from the get…
Daily Miles: 19.6, Total Miles: 2,173.2 This morning I followed the Nahkamata Stream and then Nahkamata Lake for six miles. Green mossy rocks, green mossy trees and pretty water views – but so hot and humid. As I got closer to the lake, I unexpectedly smelled bacon and soon met Ben who came in on a logging road and camping, waiting for his southbound sister. Ben shared bacon and fruit, a wonderful, much appreciated second breakfast! Another highlight of the…
Daily Miles: 22.2, Total Miles: 2,153.6 Frogs serenaded me all night long at Mountain View Pond. My Bic lighter unfortunately crapped out this morning and one out of ten of my emergency matches worked. I’ve had them in my “kit” for over 12 years and I think age and humidity has taken its toll. The day started with a small climb up to Little Boardman Mountain. One bar from Verizon so sent Mrs. Haze an OK message. All downhill and…
Daily Miles: 14.8, Total Miles: 2,131.4 Not a great start to the day – spilled a whole cup of coffee in my tent this morning. And then, once again, had to put on damp clothes. The last, real “hilly” day in the 100-Mile Wilderness and with clearing skies. First Gulf Hagas Mountain, then West Peak, Hay Mountain, and finally the highest of the day, White Cap Mountain, an open summit, with good views back to the Chairback Mountains and ahead…
Daily Miles: 18.8, Total Miles: 2,116.6 It rained off and on last night, enough to make me glad I was in a shelter. At least until I discovered a mouse (or mice) had found my left-over gorp inside the mesh pouch on my backpack. I leapfrogged with Ocho and Dad all day long on a cloudy, and later, rainy day. First over Barren Mountain, two of the Chairback Peaks, then down to wade across two forks of the Pleasant River….
Daily Miles: 15.1, Total Miles: 2,097.8 Another big breakfast at Shaw’s and Poet took myself and a few other hikers out to the TH. For NOBOs, this is the start of the 100-Mile Wilderness. Decent skies in the morning but very humid so worked up a good sweat though not much elevation gain. The ever-present rock now looks more like slate than the usual granite and more slippery. Add that to the exposed tree roots. I passed by several ponds…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 2,082.7 It didn’t seem very patriotic to be hiking out today. Besides, I thought an extra day’s rest would be helpful before the 100-Mile Wilderness. The big pancake breakfast at Shaw’s is so good and extra special. I think it’s because of the three eggs, bacon and potatoes before the pancakes even arrive! No need for lunch after that feast. I bought a few goodies for the next leg. Also thought, what the heck, I…
Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 2,082.7 I awoke to a cacophony of loud loon calls and the deep bass of croaking frogs – what a combination! Earliest start yet at 5am – cooler and less bugs at this hour. Not as much elevation gain/loss today but plenty of creek crossing and boggy stretches. A trail full of exposed, slippery tree roots was also challenging. Not a bridge to be had so my new, now muddy shoes were temporarily cleaned off…
Daily Miles: 18.8, Total Miles: 2,064.8 Eric from Sterling Inn shuttled me the short distance back to the trailhead near the Kennebec River. Just after arriving, I saw Lightweight a short distance ahead getting ready to head out. He is slackpacking and section hiking a good portion of the AT this summer. On a beautiful, clear morning, we hiked together for 12 miles, climbing to the top of Pleasant Pond Mountain, then down the other side to Moxie Pond where…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 2,046.0 A nice relaxing day at the Sterling Inn in Caratunk ME. I’m kind of getting into hard boiled eggs at these places. Combined with bagels and fruit, a balanced meal with some protein. I’ve held myself to three eggs but should probably bump that up. Zack at the Inn is also the postmaster so at the end of his 2-hr shift today, he hand-delivered my resupply box. Sure happy to get my new, long…
