Day 158: 9/5/12

Miles today: 16.0
Total miles: 2,063.7
Miles remaining: 120.5

Today was a crazy wet day. It rained all night and throughout the morning, so every little stream and brook was swollen and flowing hard. The trail itself was a stream for much of the day so I had to wade through COLD water on and off all day.
At one point the trail intersected a stream that had been dammed by beavers. Because of that dam and the recent rain the water was so deep I couldn't make it across. So I walked around the perimeter of the dam, trying not to fall in because who knows how deep it was. Stupid beavers. I find it funny that I'm actually cursing beavers in earnest. Who does that??
Then came two big river fords. The first was the west branch of the Piscataquis River. That was scary. That current was so fast I could barely keep my footing. The second big ford came at the end of the day, the east branch of the same river. Not quite as fast of a current, but that water was deep, all the way up to my waist. I'm glad that's over, hopefully there won't be too many more of those.
A hard day, but luckily my spirits were up. Normally the rain bums me out but today was kind of fun. Sort of a water adventure sports kind of day. And all it cost was some wet shoes.
Tomorrow I head into Monson, my final town stop on the AT.

Camping near the AT about a half mile north of Shirley-Blanchard Rd.

Day 157: 9/4/12

Miles today: 18.7
Total miles: 2,047.7
Miles remaining: 136.5

Solid miles today. Did a few miles this morning to the Kennebec River where I caught a canoe ferry across. It's the only point on the entire AT that cannot be traversed on foot. The rest of the day was pretty standard Maine fare - lots of roots and rocks.
I'm on track to finish by 9/15 at the latest. I'm going to miss hanging out with these guys, these dirty, bearded hobo thru-hikers. We're all pretty weary and worn down at this point. All have eyes on the finish line. Everyone around me wants to finish around the same time so it should be a big party once we make it.

On lying down at the end of the day: there is nothing like it. After walking with 30+lbs on your back for 10-12 hours there is no better feeling than lying down in your sleeping bag when the day is done. That moment when all the tension you've stored all day is released and you can finally relax. Ecstasy.

Camping near Bald Mtn. Brook lean- to.

Day 156: 9/3/12

Miles today: 17.7
Total miles: 2,029.0
Miles remaining: 155.2

Nothing special today, just some nice, flat terrain for a change. Still some rocky-rooty action, but no serious elevation changes. Hopefully this will last for the rest of the trail. I'm bushed.

Camping near Pierce Pond lean-to.

Day 155: 9/2/12

Miles today: 15.3
Total miles: 2,011.3
Miles remaining: 172.9

Today was a big day. It was the last I'll see of the big mountains before I summit Mt. Katahdin. It was the Bigelow range today, and a beautiful hike. I did run out of daylight on my way to the shelter tonight, so I had my first night hike since starting the AT. The woods were pitch black so I had to walk by the light of my headlamp.
The biggest moment of the day was reaching the 2,000-mile mark. That was huge. I'm at the start of my sixth month on the trail. It's been a long journey and I take pride and satisfaction in having made it this far. Now to go just a little farther.

Staying at Little Bigelow Lean-to.

Day 154: 9/1/12

Miles today: 13.5
Total miles: 1,996.0
Miles remaining: 188.2

An easier day today. Hiked with Voice of Reason. Climbed over Sugarloaf Mtn and Crocker Mtn, then had a gradual descent into Stratton for resupply. Voice and I had dinner at a diner, I had two bottles of Moosehead. Reminded me of my early twenties when I drank a lot of that stuff. Good beer.
We bought a huge resupply of groceries; we're trying to make it to Monson, the last trail town on the AT. I'm going to miss those little town stops, sitting in diners and pubs, the cheeseburgers and beer, hanging out with the locals. I've really enjoyed that part of the journey. I'll be ready to finish my thru-hike, I've been out here for long enough. But I will miss the little things that make it what it is.

Camping near the AT just north of Maine highway 27.

Day 153: 8/31/12

Miles today: 15.0
Total miles: 1,982.5
Miles remaining: 201.7

Got an early start and put in some decent miles today. Can't remember the last time I did 15. I'll be able to do some consistent big mile days once I'm out of southern Maine, but for now it's still pretty mountainous.
Climbed Saddleback, the Horn, Saddleback Jr., and Lone Mountains today. Chilly and very windy atop those peaks today, all above tree line. Good views but cloudy and hazy.
That's about it today. Just another day on the trail.

Camping near Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to.

Day 152: 8/30/12

Miles today: 3.7
Total miles: 1,967.5
Miles remaining: 216.7

Had to sacrifice miles for rest, resupply, and laundry today. Had a late breakfast at a diner and got a ride from this dude Gary who took me to the grocery store, then the laundromat, then dropped me off back at the trail. Nice guy. People in Rangeley were really nice to the hiker community.
Got back on the trail for a few hours, made camp as the sun was going down. Couldn't hang my food; I lost my rope and carabiner up a tree while hanging my line tonight. That's like the fifth time I've done that out here. So I've got my food by my tent instead so I can shoo away anything that wants to steal it. Hopefully I won't be bothered by any critters. Living in the woods is not without its disadvantages.

Camping near the AT close to Eddy Pond.