Summer Days and Summer Summits

Rejoice! While my phone still doesn't work (I should get a working one in 80-ish miles or so), I have been hiking with friends who have working phones and cameras! Let the Pretty Pictures commence!

Also, my father is a techno-mage (see comment on last post) and rescued the photos I took from the hundred mile wilderness. Check that post again for more pictures (I just added them all at the beginning).

Day 10 (June 16): A Beautiful Day

We arranged a ride from Monson back to the trail early in the morning (6:00 AM) so we could hit the trail early and try to knock out 18 miles on our first day back on the trail. Today was probably the first legitimately beautiful day we had on the trail. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, the sun was shining, it hadn't rained for a few days, the mud was drying, and the bugs were in hiding. All around, it was the best possible day.

While hiking, we discovered the AT is different outside the hundred mile wilderness. It was easier to traverse (fewer rocks, roots, and mud), and we heard and saw many more signs of civilization (occasional logging roads, boats in lakes, day hikers, snowmobile trails, etc.). We even experienced our first trail magic as a trail family! There was a cooler with some lemonade and crackers and a bin for money. Peaches bought Moose and me a lemonade and crackers, which were both delicious.

We did three fordings, with two of them requiring us to take our boots off and wade through (third was just a rock-hop). The water was perfect. In fact, the New Yorkers (now given trail-names: Double Dip and Camp Shoes), Peaches, Moose, and I spent about 45 minutes at one of the fordings just relaxing in the beautiful weather and nice, cool water, and annoying horse flies... many horse flies were killed in the making of this blog post. Double Dip went swimming.

We met a north bounder who was hiking the IAT, which I believe is the International Appalachian Trail, which apparently goes into Canada. She, as every other north bounder we've met thus far, was intense.

When we got to camp, I discovered that the new pot I had purchased worked beautifully, and Ramen was incredibly easy to cook and clean (which is good, that's all I've got for dinner for the next stretch). I had three packets. I also discovered that my boots were beginning to fall apart -- but it can be fixed with liberal application of duct tape (the glue at the toe is separating: a victim of Maine's roots and rocks).

Stats:

Awoke at: 5:00... grudgingly

Asleep at: 8:30 PM

Milage 17.9 miles (18 if you count the time we walked in circles for 20 minutes)

Elevation: Negligable (maybe 800 feet of culumative up?)

Bugs: minimal

Weather: Perfect

Water consumed: 3 liters

Slept at: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to right before the mountain with Peaches, Moose, Karate Kid, Camp Shoes, Double Dip, and a few other SoBos who wandered in.

Day 11 (June 17): Wait.... It's kinda hot

Now with our 4th straight day of not rain, the novelty of not being wet was beginning to wear off... and the sun was beginning to shine. We climbed our first mountain after Monson, and all decided we should have gotten up earlier when it was cooler. In fact, Karate Kid had the foresight to go earlier than us... we didn't see him today after he left.

With our first mountain summitted, we ate at the peak and admired the view (no, none of my trail family took pictures, deal with it). I ate summer sausage and we finished the New Yorker's wine they had taken from Monson, then found the trail (a non-negligible task) and descended again (after a good hour-ish break admiring the views).

We descended Moxie Bald Mountain, and got to Pleasant Pond mountain (after another fording). Pleasant Pond mountain may have been our least favorite mountain yet. It was about 80-85 degrees and humid, and Pleasant Pond mountain had ~8 false peaks. While it was only about 1500 feet of up, it was very deceptive... and hot. After summitting it, we descended the mountain, passed some day hikers, and arrived at our lean-to we stayed at for the night.

Karate Kid had left us a note and pressed on for the day, trying to arrive at Caratunk today (6 more miles away). We decided to begin doing story time, since I've got my kindle. We are reading Ender's Game

Stats:

Awoke at: 4:30... because sun

Asleep at: 8:00 PM

Milage 13.1 miles

Elevation: 3000 feet up, 3000 feet down

Bugs: none

Weather: Hot

Water consumed: 5 liters

Slept at: Pleasant Pond Lean-to right after the mountain descent with Peaches, Moose, Camp Shoes, Double Dip, and a few other SoBos who wandered in.

Story Time: Ender's Game, chapters 1-2

Day 12 (June 18): Rivers and Ferries and Waterfalls!

Today, Moose and I realized we were eating more food than we had in our bags for getting to Stratton. Fortunately, there was a small town (Caratunk) 6 miles from our lean-to we were going to be passing through. She also had a package to pick up there. Unfortunately, there was an unfordable river (400 feet wide, below a dam, can have river increase by 5 feet of depth in 5 minutes) which required a ferry to get across, which only ran from 9-11 AM. So, Moose and I got up at 4:30 AM and left by 5:30 AM to try to get to the resupply we had read adds for in the lean-to hiker journals.

On our way, we met Pyro and his new hiking partner Jelly Bean, who were also going into Caratunk for more food before Stratton. Jelly Bean had some pretty gnarly bloody mess going on with her right heel - about a quarter sized chunk of flesh missing, with a liquid band aid, gauze, medical tape, and compression wrap on... and bleeding through all of it. Which we compared with pictures on the internet of trenchfoot (see previous pictures) and Moose's toe. Which, by the way, is missing it's toenail and skin. The meat underneath had begun to blister.

The top of Moose's right pinky toe after it had healed a bit. It's got issues.
Image Credit: Moose

We got to Caratunk in plenty of time, where we stopped at the B&B resupply shop and got more food (Ramen and Pop-tarts mostly), and some treats for now (I got a gatorade, some reeses cups, some M&Ms, and a Klondike Bar and Jelly Bean and I split some cheese and crackers). We also met up with Karate Kid who had stayed in town and picked up a package from the post office today. We then meandered back to the trail, and crossed in the ferry.

On the other side of the river, there were waterfalls everywhere! Double Dip and Camp Shoes kepts stopping and swimming in them, and the rest of us went slow admiring them. We only went 3 miles after the ferry to the first lean-to, where we stayed. The lean-to legitimately looked like rivendale. We all went swimming (which was very good for moral and smell).

We ended the day with the first two chapters of Ender's Game, which I'm beginning to read aloud from my Kindle. Everyone is enjoying it (when they stay awake for it).

Karate Kid, Pyro, and Jelly Bean went on to the Lean-to 10 miles up the trail. We met a couple NoBos -- they're all super intense (ultra light-weight packs, started in snow, going for records, that sort of thing).

Stats:

Awoke at: 4:30... resupply!

Asleep at: 9:00 PM Reading is bad for you.

Milage: 9.7 miles

Elevation: 800 feet down, 800 feet up

Bugs: a couple

Weather: Hot

Water consumed: 4 liters

Slept at: Pierce Pond Lean-to with Peaches, Moose, Camp Shoes, and Double Dip.

Story Time: Ender's Game, chapters 3-4, The Fall of the House of Usher (fell asleep during reading)

Day 13 (June 19): The Beautiful and The Lazy (and in pain)

Today we set out to do 17.7 miles, but readjusted on account of Moose's toe and the heat to just doing 15.1 miles. It was an excellent hike, though we should have started earlier (it was warm). We passed a couple day hikers and section hikers today. They thought we were super intense (clearly, they haven't met the NoBos... or Karate Kid or Pyro or Jelly Bean). We took a picture of ourselves at the leanto at the 10 mile mark (where Karate Kid, Pyro, and Jelly Bean spent the last night).

Trail Family, from right to left: Peaches, Double Dip, Camp Shoes, Myself, Moose.

Image Credit: Camp Shoes (he has a timer)

After a brief break and swim in the pond, we carried on to our tentsite, which, honestly, was the most beautiful and restful place we've been to yet. There was a rock beach we could walk into the lake with, drift wood we could burn (and Double Dip and I could get new walking staffs), and a gorgeous sunset. We also had more reception than normal, so some of us were able to call people.

Camp Shoes (left) and Double Dip (right) walking down to enjoy the view
Image Credit: Moose

The View (Image Credit: Camp Shoes)

Stats:

Awoke at: 6:30... it was so hot!

Asleep at: 9:00 PM Reading is bad for you.

Milage: 15.1 miles

Elevation: 1000 feet up, 1000 feet down

Bugs: horse flies in the water

Weather: Hot

Water consumed: 6 liters

Slept at: East Flagstaf Lake tentpads with Peaches, Moose, Camp Shoes, and Double Dip.

Story Time: Ender's Game, chapter 5-6

Day 14 (June 20): The Bigelows

Today, we climbed a mountain range. It was hot. It was sweaty. I drank 8 liters of water and got dehydrated. It was long. But boy were the views worth it.

We learned our lesson, and got up at 4:30 today (though Camp Shoes slept in a bit-- we left him behind (he caught up)). Still, we made our first summit (to little Bigelow) by around 11 AM... and then we still had  more miles and three more mountains to climb.

Little Bigalow (from Bigalow) Image Credit: Peaches... the next day

 From Little Bigalow, we were able to see what we had left to do that day. It was moderately intimidating (see picture below)

Avery Peak, Bigalow, and South Horn... all mountains left to climb for the day
Image Credit: Moose

After descending Little Bigelow, we reached a campsite 5 miles from our final destination. Moose and Peaches were feeling a little tired and hurt (see Moose's toe picture), and so decided to stay there the night. Camp Shoes, Double Dip, and myself pressed onwards.

Moving up the mountains, we moved quickly, but stopped for every view (even the one which required another summit and .4 miles of added walking). It was glorious. We took some pictures

Panaromic still doesn't do justice
Image Credit: Camp Shoes

At the top of Bigalow, we spotted a leg dangling ledge, so we all dangled our legs, then Camp Shoes went back to take a picture of Double Dip and myself. It was stunning (also quite windy).

Dangling Legs (Image Credit: Camp Shoes)

Eventually, we made camp at about 7 PM, got water, cooked and read some short stories. Note: Paranormal romance is a HORIBBLE CATEGORY NOBODY SHOULD EVER READ.

Oh, also, we were passed by someone who mentioned I had dropped my wallet. Apparently it fell out of my bag at the last lean-to we had stayed at. Some other SoBos behind us who knew me picked it up and were bringing it.

Also: this was a super legit lean-to! They had multiple structures, maps of the area, and educational privies! They had whiteboards explaining how composting works, which was pretty cool.

Stats:

Awoke at: 4:30... still got hot

Asleep at: 9:00 PM

Milage: 12.8 miles

Elevation: 4500 feet up, 2000 feet down

Bugs: some biting tiny flies at the pond

Weather: Hot and beautiful

Water consumed: 8 liters

Slept at: Horns Pond Lean-tos with Camp Shoes, Double Dip, and two section hikers going north.

Story Time: Payback's a Witch (awful and horrible), Thursday at the Ritz-Carlton (ok I guess.... it's no Ender's Game)

Day 15 (June 21) Reunions

Today, I slept in, and the New Yorkers went ahead. I wanted to wait until I had my wallet before entering Stratton, and probably wait for Moose and Peaches (even though it would probably mean I'd need to take a zero day in Stratton because of library hours). I got my wallet, and met back up with Moose and Peaches, then walked down the last 5.1 miles to the highway with them.

At the end, we met up with a day-hiker who offered us a ride, but only had one seat. We gave it to Peaches, then Moose and I hitch-hiked into town. We were picked up by a nice older guy named Ray, who was super awesome. the conversation eventually went like this:

"So, do you guys know where you're staying tonight?"

"We were thinking about the Stratton motel"

"Have you paid and registered there yet?"

"No."

"How does free sound."

"Sounds great."

"Ok, I'm going to go pick up some stamps at my family home near Stratton, I'll show you guys it, and if you want, you can stay the night there."

".... Cool!"

Ray then showed us his home his grandfather build in the '70s, his father remodeled in the 2000s, and he was preparing to give his son. Apparently, it's currently being used as a ski-cabin. He let Moose and I stay there for the night.

After we dropped our packs there, he picked up the stamps he needed, gave us a ride into town, and said goodbye.

In town, we met up with a bunch of the people we had seen on the trail -- Pyro and Jelly Bean had taken a zero (I think for her heel), Karate Kid had gotten there early that day, the New Yorkers had arrived a few hours before us. We ate all the food, and took some reunion pictures.

Stratton with the Badass Squad
Right to left: Moose, Myself, Karate Kid, Peaches
Image Credit: Moose

Then, since Double Dip's sleeping plan was hike back to the trail and sleep in a campsite, we took him (and camp shoes) to Ray's cabin where Moose and I were sleeping (there are 4 beds and 2 couches -- both the couches are long enough I can actually sleep on them!) There, Moose, Double Dip, Camp Shoes, and I played cards and read. It was quite enjoyable

Stats:

Awoke at: 7:00 ... sleeping in like a boss

Asleep at: midnight - reading is dangerous yo.

Milage: 5.1 miles

Elevation: 400 feet up, 2000 feet down

Bugs: none

Weather: Hot

Water consumed: 6 liters

Slept at: Ray's Cabin with Moose, Camp Shoes, and Double Dip.

Story Time: Ender's Game, chapter 7-8.5

Zero Morning and Day: the Pain!

Moose woke Camp Shoes and myself up at 3 AM today. Double Dip had been in pain for the past 4 hours (we fell asleep). He rates the pain an 8/10, and it's a shooting pain through his abdomen. We think it might be giardia (he was drinking unfiltered water after his filter broke)... except that he's not having uncontrollable diarrhea and Camp Shoes is fine (who also drank unfiltered water). Eventually, we called Camp Shoe's dad, who is a doctor, and were advised to go to a hospital. So, we called 911, and got an ambulance to take Camp Shoes and Double Dip to the hospital (I don't really know where they are now). 

In the morning, Moose and I found out that Double Dip has a kidney stone, I think 7 mm in diameter. He's hoping to pass it and be back on the trail by Saturday. We'll see what happens.

As for myself, I'll be finishing my zero in Stratton today, eat all the food, order new boots (though really, with duct tape, who needs new boots?), enjoy (and try to break in) my new camp shoes (my parents are awesome), buy more food, do various other town chores (like laundry) and hopefully finish reading Ender's Game to Moose and Peaches. Karate Kid left early today, and the New Yorkers will probably catch up to us once they pass their kidney stone, so it'll be just Moose, Peaches and myself for the next section (unless we pick up someone)

Oh, also, Camp Shoes gave me a new trail-name a few days ago (around the time my trench-foot cleared up).

Blessings,

David "Pretty Toes" Martin