Day 160: 9/7/12

Miles today: 13.5
Total miles: 2,088.8
Miles remaining: 95.4

Hard-earned miles today. I'd intended to do more but it just didn't work out. Forded two big rivers and had two big climbs, including Barren Mountain at the end of the day, which killed any hopes of bigger miles.
The forest really was pretty though, so I can't complain. It's just that I'm on a deadline so I need to go as far as possible in the next few days to put my mind at ease. Hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow.

Camping near Cloud Pond lean-to.

Day 159: 9/6/12

Miles today: 11.6
Total miles: 2,075.3
Miles remaining: 108.9

Arrived in Monson today for one last town stop before finishing the AT. I've got about one week to go. Saw a lot of northbound thru-hikers in town, many for the last time, perhaps. Got one more big town breakfast and one more town lunch (cheeseburger of course) in me, then resupplied and was back on my way.
After town I entered the "100-mile wilderness," where there is nowhere to resupply for the next hundred miles. It's the last hurrah on the trail before entering Baxter State Park and summiting Mt. Katahdin. This is already a beautiful stretch of trail, so I'm going to soak it all in. Only one more week to go on what has been an epic journey.

Camping near the AT about a mile south of Little Wilson Falls.

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.