Wrong Way, Man - Sept 11

We've had some awesome hiking days lately. 8 miles today, 10 yesterday, 8 the day before that, all in great weather. Less than 200 miles left to Mt Katahdin. We are getting more excited every minute. And clear skies are forecast for the next several days. We are blessed people. 

During lunch today I looked ahead in the trail guide and counted only six climbs to go over 1000 vertical feet, and one of those is Katahdin. Comin' down the home stretch. With some relatively flat stretches coming up we ought to get in some 12 and 13 miles days. 

We expect on October 2 or 3 our daughter will meet us in Millinocket, Maine to make the final climb with us and then drive us to Boston. It's going to be wild. 

The other day we were hiking northbound as is our normal direction when we saw a solo hiker approaching. I asked Ho Chi Minh if he was a SOBO (Southbound thru hiker). He said, no, why do you ask? Because you look like a thru hiker, and you are hiking south. No, he said, I'm hiking north. Well, I'm hiking north which means one of us is going the wrong way. I'll bet you $100 right now it's not me. 

Ho Chi Minh started cussing when he came around to the fact that he had gotten disoriented at his last rest  stop and started hiking the wrong way. The three of us started hiking north together and within a minute or two came across a spectacular view. He started to say how great the view was but then said never mind, I've already seen this one. We are still laughing about this Ho Chi Minh. 

The Maine Appalachian Trail Club does a better job than any other club identifying the summits of their mountains. Plenty of great signs. 








































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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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The Maine Idea - Sept 5

We made it to Maine. 275 miles to go. The woods, views, rock slabs and ponds (are all still as beautiful as ever, but we are good and ready to finish this thing. And what a great finish it's going to be.

Today was a great example of how things just work out. Our plan was to hike 10 miles today to a campsite and 4 miles tomorrow. The remnants of Harvey were coming through Maine this afternoon and this evening so we decided to flip the days and hike 4 today, go to town for the night and then 10 tomorrow. So what do we come across at the 4 mile road crossing? A family cooking hot dogs for Hikers. They had the potato salad and brownies and the works. Then they invited us and 10 other hikers to their house for dinner and stay the night. Wowza. Things just work out.

Lost and Found - Aug 29

From time to time some piece of hiking gear is left behind or falls off a hikers pack on the trail. A week ago we found a 2'x2' fold up pad that hikers use to sit on when a dry rock is not around. A few days ago we caught up to Orville (he had taken two days off) who had passed us the day we found it. You should have seen his face light up when we asked him if it was his.

Another time a girl hiking south told us she had left a pair of glasses on a log near a stream where we would be in a couple hours. She asked us to find the glasses and give them to a hiker named Fleabag who was fast and would be catching up to her. Best Wife found the glasses and started asking every southbound hiker if their name was Fleabag or did they know Fleabag. Sure enough the next day the glasses handoff was made with Fleabag. We trust he delivered them to the owner.

You might remember the story I told months ago about losing one of my camp shoes on the trail. Three days and 20 miles later I found it conspicuously placed on a bridge abutment in Port Clinton, PA. No doubt someone placed it where it would be discovered by the owner.

I love the trail society and culture that makes the trail one big lost and found. Hikers have lots of fun helping hikers.

Summited Mt Washington in 45 degree and 44mph wind weather. Since we were dressed well it was thrilling. The next day it was warmer and less windy but still not no-shirt weather like the guy pictured below.

Best Wife took a spill and bumped her knee on the way down. Check out the swollen knee. Didn't slow her down much. She's a hiking maniac.

We were just about to break out of the woods at the summit of Wildcat Ski Resort when we heard loud applause from what sounded like a large group. Very strange to hear that sound in the woods. But applause is appropriate when a wedding is going on. Why not get married on top of a mountain if a gondola is available.

Last picture is my favorite. This little fir tree is going to make it. In 25 years she will be 40' tall with roots sprawled in all directions all over this bedrock. She will be beautiful.