Above Alpine - Sept 9

217 miles to Katahdin. This is really getting us stoked. At 10 miles a day, we should summit in 22 days. For the first time last night we talked with our daughter about what day she might plan on arriving in Millinocket, Maine to summit Katahdin with us and then drive us to Boston. Weird. 

Best Wife and Pappy 12 have had a lot of fun, and a couple not so fun times hiking above treeline, what is referred to around here as the "alpine". Our first hike in the alpine was across Franconia Ridge. Many say Franconia Ridge is hands down the most beautiful, stunning, and breathtaking spot in the Eastern U.S. We didn't get started hiking that day until 11:00 or so, so we didn't make it up above treeline (alpine) until 4:00 in the afternoon.

Best Wife and I had opposite experiences that afternoon. I loved the endless views, the very rugged terrain, the feeling of being in this vast openness totally vulnerable to Mother Nature. 

Best Wife, on the other hand was nervous as a cat. The wind was a little stiff for her. Of course there is no tenting in the alpine because there is no dirt. Best Wife was worried all the way across the ridge that we wouldn't make it back into the wood before dark (she was correct on that one, I had to erect our tent by flashlight that night). While I had the experience of a lifetime, Best Wife was glad to get it over with. 

Another day we hiked in the Alpine up Baldpate Mt in strong winds and steep, steep slabs of rock. Best Wife was terrified. These slabs of rock are pitched at 35 and 40 degrees. Don't look behind you or you will see how far you will roll if you take a spill. Best Wife was justified that day as she did slip once slamming her already bruised and swollen knee on the rock face. Exhilarating for me, terrifying for her. 

Then there was the hike in the Alpine across East Goose, West Goose, and North Goose in 50 mph winds. I loved the challenge and feeling of withstanding the elements. But that day I did feel awful for subjecting my bride to such a difficult and scary experience. As I told her above the howl of the wind how sorry I was that she was so scared we hugged and cried together. 

First picture below is a dozen hikers chowing down hot dogs thanks to nice folks who show up and just feed us. 

The second picture has me laughing. We were hiking along one day minding our own business when Best Wife said she needed to look for a good place to dig a cat hole. Not 5 seconds later do we see this sign in the middle of nowhere. That timing will never happen again. 




































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