Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Four State Challenge, Northern Virginia, and the Shenandoah's
My lack of posting has been absurd!!! I guess you could say I've been busy walking a lot. It all started out with southern Pennsylvania. Landon and I stupidly decided to do what's called the 4 state challenge. You have to step foot in PA, MD, WV, and VA. We stated at 9:30p.m. and didn't finish hiking until 1:30 the next afternoon! We officially hiked 63 miles in 36 hours and boy did my body let me know! I was sore as all get out! Next came northern Virginia and what's called "The Roller Coaster." this was a 13 mile section of nothing but 800ft climbs that had absolutely no point to them at all. Boy did I LOVE that section. What was my reward after this preposterous section.......Shenandoah National Park. Some of the most beautiful manicured trails we have seen yet on this journey. We also just so happened to enter the park on Labor Day weekend so the park was crowded to say the least. The crew, however, didn't mind flexing our thru-hiker muscles in barreling up hills while passing wimpy day hikers! That really makes us feel good about ourselves. I am now sitting in the Waynesboro, VA library reading magazines and waiting for my phone to charge up. As of now, we have calculated that if we do 23 miles a day, 6 days a week we will be finishing this hike on October 18th. This is a rough estimate as I well know by now that anything and everything can happen, but it's definitely a moral booster as the bulk of those miles (543 to be exact) will be in Virginia. I am still enjoying myself, but as the miles fly by and I see the end in sight I can't help but get excited about reaching Springer Mountain. 1327.7 miles down, 856.5 left to go!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A Hiker Diet
My food in town the past 24 hours has consisted of:
Sausage omlet with hash browns
A pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream
A brownie
A whole bag of Reece's pieces
A pie, cinnamon roll and 6 cookies
The amazing thing is.......I'm still losing weight!! Im already at 156lbs down from 171lbs
Sausage omlet with hash browns
A pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream
A brownie
A whole bag of Reece's pieces
A pie, cinnamon roll and 6 cookies
The amazing thing is.......I'm still losing weight!! Im already at 156lbs down from 171lbs
Monday, August 13, 2012
Lessons and Morals
When someone tells you something on the trail.....don't believe it. Just wait and see for yourself how it is. For example:
"New York and New Jersey sucked! They were so rocky and nasty."
My experience: New York and New Jersey have been awesome and I've loved most of both states. They've had awesome views and awesome trails.
Moral: Don't listen to lying Northbound Thru-Hikers.
"New York and New Jersey sucked! They were so rocky and nasty."
My experience: New York and New Jersey have been awesome and I've loved most of both states. They've had awesome views and awesome trails.
Moral: Don't listen to lying Northbound Thru-Hikers.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Thank You
Today I had to say goodbye to two new and amazing friends. Landon's brother, Taylor, and one of his good friends, Amy Stafford, joined us hiking for the past three days. Needless to say we all had a blast together just chilling in the woods and hiking through New York. It was nice to have people to talk to that didn't just talk about hiking. We had stimulating conversations and just an all around good time. I've found that the woods are a very good place to get to know some one very quickly and that's exactly what happened with Taylor and Amy. Though they may not read this blog I have to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming out into the woods and making a thru-hiker very happy. You all are amazing.
On a more technical note, Landon and I have done 800 miles on the trail as of tomorrow and tomorrow will be our two month mark out here. It feels like so much longer than two months and these next 2 months and some change will absolutely fly by for us. I am also constantly counting down the days until I see mom and dad in PA. Though I'm having surgery to fix my toe :/ it will be great to see them right around the halfway mark.
I'm sorry there aren't more pictures, but there has been literally nothing to take pictures of recently, but that doesn't mean I haven't taken a few.
On a more technical note, Landon and I have done 800 miles on the trail as of tomorrow and tomorrow will be our two month mark out here. It feels like so much longer than two months and these next 2 months and some change will absolutely fly by for us. I am also constantly counting down the days until I see mom and dad in PA. Though I'm having surgery to fix my toe :/ it will be great to see them right around the halfway mark.
I'm sorry there aren't more pictures, but there has been literally nothing to take pictures of recently, but that doesn't mean I haven't taken a few.
Friday, August 3, 2012
My restlessness intensifies every minute I'm in town. My yearning for the trail never seems to go away. It is now setting in that the only place that I truly feel alive and at peace is deep in the woods. The nights are calm and cool and the mornings are filled with beautiful sights, sounds and smells of a fresh new day on this earth. The presence of the Lord truly shines in the beauty of the forest especially in the cooling breeze on a hot day, or the clearing of the trees revealing a picturesque landscape. The payoff after a long day of walking always outweighs the pain and energy put into those grueling 25 miles. The knowledge of my what my body needs and the better understanding of it are things that I will never be able to forget. Knowing that I can push out those last 5 miles or knowing that I can make it up this hill because, "No mountain lasts forever" truly amaze me once completed. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd be able to push myself as far as I have already without breaking down. Knowing this truly does propel me forward for the rest of my hike along with the relentless support from friends and family emotionally walking every step of the way with me. Without that support, I know that I would have quit a long time ago. Without that support, my dream of a thru-hike would have been finished before it even started. Thank you do much for what you do to help me out in my journey. I may not even know you, but you have no idea how much I appreciate you.
The Grind of Things
Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. To be honest there hasnt been much to post about and it's been raining almost every day for at least a little while. Yesterday Landon and I left Dalton, Massachusetts where we zeroed after going through Vermont in 7 days. We stayed at a place called the Birdcage. It's a free hostel that is run by a man named Rob Bird. Rob is on of the most selfless trail angels I have met on my journey so far. He took care of us like we were his own children and made sure that we had everything we needed. He is truly a gift to hikers. We stayed at a cabin last night where we are getting blueberry pancakes before we leave. Landon's parents are going to meet us in 2 days and were gong to zero at his house in Connecticut before continuing our journey further south. Well it's time for pancakes. Here are my pictures
Well the pancakes were amazing as expected!
Day 52
I am at Landon's house in Farmington, CT taking a zero. As an extra bonus the Olympics are on and I am permanently fixed to the tv. Sorry there haven't been more pictures of the trail. It has literally been a green tunnel with very limited views. We did however walk through some cow pastures and corn fields within the past few days. It's been pretty cool! We walked past the monument where Shay's rebellion happened. That was also pretty interesting. The amount of American history that we've encountered so far is very cool. Well physically I am doing fine. My toe is bothering me, but it isn't enough yet to stop me! I'll be having surgery in Pennsylvania when Mom and Dad come up to visit me. The recovery shouldn't be more than 3-4 days and then I'll be back on the trail.
Well the pancakes were amazing as expected!
Day 52
I am at Landon's house in Farmington, CT taking a zero. As an extra bonus the Olympics are on and I am permanently fixed to the tv. Sorry there haven't been more pictures of the trail. It has literally been a green tunnel with very limited views. We did however walk through some cow pastures and corn fields within the past few days. It's been pretty cool! We walked past the monument where Shay's rebellion happened. That was also pretty interesting. The amount of American history that we've encountered so far is very cool. Well physically I am doing fine. My toe is bothering me, but it isn't enough yet to stop me! I'll be having surgery in Pennsylvania when Mom and Dad come up to visit me. The recovery shouldn't be more than 3-4 days and then I'll be back on the trail.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
My First Marathon
Be proud. Be very proud. Gregory Robert Simpson did a total of 28 miles today to get into town and to catch up to someone he could hike with. I am very tired tonight, but my legs feel good. They aren't sore(yet...) and my mental status has brightened up compared to the last couple days. I'm back to enjoying the trail :) well goodnight y'all. No pictures today cause my phone was almost dead all day.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Empty Shelter
Day 44
Looks like I'll be spending the night by myself in this shelter. It'll be the first time since being on the trail. I'm fine with it. It's nice and peaceful at this shelter and because of a 25 mile day today I'm pretty wiped. I am very excited because I crossed the 500 mile mark today. A little milestone, but one nonetheless. That means I'm about a 1/4 of the way done with the trail. Time flies when you hike every day haha. Tomorrow is another long day into town. 24.6 to be exact :/ but it will be nice to sit down at a restaurant and unwind a bit. I'll be in Dalton, Massachusetts in 5 days where I'll either zero or nero. It's 6 right now and I'm gonna start getting ready for bed. Another 5:30 wake up tomorrow. Goodnight.
Looks like I'll be spending the night by myself in this shelter. It'll be the first time since being on the trail. I'm fine with it. It's nice and peaceful at this shelter and because of a 25 mile day today I'm pretty wiped. I am very excited because I crossed the 500 mile mark today. A little milestone, but one nonetheless. That means I'm about a 1/4 of the way done with the trail. Time flies when you hike every day haha. Tomorrow is another long day into town. 24.6 to be exact :/ but it will be nice to sit down at a restaurant and unwind a bit. I'll be in Dalton, Massachusetts in 5 days where I'll either zero or nero. It's 6 right now and I'm gonna start getting ready for bed. Another 5:30 wake up tomorrow. Goodnight.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Mass. on my Mind
Day 43
It's 7:15p.m. and I'm finding it hard to sleep tonight. D-Train and I have an early and long day tomorrow (5a.m. and 25 miles) and I know I need as much rest as I can get, but I can't seem to clear my mind and go to sleep even with the rain rhythmically beating on the tin roof of the shelter. It's not like I'm thinking about one specific thing. More than anything I've been thinking about the monstrosity of this hike that I've decided to take on. I got discouraged yesterday because I felt that I should have gone farther than 480 miles in 42 days and that I was on track to finish never. I got a pep talk today from some northbound thru hikers saying that I'll be amazed how quickly the miles will fly by soon enough. That feeling can't come soon enough and I'm getting very impatient at the pace I'm forced to go at now. I think also that I'm starting to miss my family and my friends more too. I will be seeing mom and dad in a little less than a month which will be very nice, but it will be a while before I get to see all of my friends back in Louisville and Bowling Green. Well I'm done for now. Maybe I'll wake up later and have something else to add. Goodnight for now.
It's 7:15p.m. and I'm finding it hard to sleep tonight. D-Train and I have an early and long day tomorrow (5a.m. and 25 miles) and I know I need as much rest as I can get, but I can't seem to clear my mind and go to sleep even with the rain rhythmically beating on the tin roof of the shelter. It's not like I'm thinking about one specific thing. More than anything I've been thinking about the monstrosity of this hike that I've decided to take on. I got discouraged yesterday because I felt that I should have gone farther than 480 miles in 42 days and that I was on track to finish never. I got a pep talk today from some northbound thru hikers saying that I'll be amazed how quickly the miles will fly by soon enough. That feeling can't come soon enough and I'm getting very impatient at the pace I'm forced to go at now. I think also that I'm starting to miss my family and my friends more too. I will be seeing mom and dad in a little less than a month which will be very nice, but it will be a while before I get to see all of my friends back in Louisville and Bowling Green. Well I'm done for now. Maybe I'll wake up later and have something else to add. Goodnight for now.
Good ole' Vermud!!!
Today was the sad day that forced us to leave Hanover. It was really nice being back in a college town. I guess it had something to do with what I get to look forward to in the Spring. I was actually ready to come out of town today. It was really weird. I was talking to Anchor on the way to the shelter today and I was saying how much more at peace I was being out in the woods than being in town. Like I was meant to be in the woods. I didn't like the noise, the complexity, and the speed at which things happened in a real town. Things are just so much more simple out in the woods than they are in town. I have truly found something and somewhere that I love and I'm going to cherish it for as long as reasonably possible. I also realized how easy it will be for me to finish the trail in a little over 4 months. Maybe I'll be home sooner than we thought mom and dad :) so far the trails in Vermont are amazing. They're packed with pine needles so it's almost a shock absorbant. Well, time for bed. Goodnight all. Pictures of the trail tomorrow.
Day 42
Today is another 20 miler. I'm up at 645 ready to get a good start on the day. I set two alarms and the guys aren't even awake yet. Awesome
Today was the first real day I've thought about quitting. I haven't been this dehydrated, this hungry, or this tired as I was today. It was a 20 mile day, but I underestimated the terrain and got my butt kicked by a bunch of up's and down's that weren't much on the elevation chart, but constantly going up switchback after switchback all day really took its tole. Tomorrow is a shorter day through the town of Killington and Rutland. I need snacks so I'll be getting enough to last me till Manchester Center. Then from there it's off to Dalton, MA for some much needed R&R. Goodnight and please keep me in your prayers. This hike is more mentally taxing than I ever expected. I need lots of mental fortitude to complete this journey.
Day 42
Today is another 20 miler. I'm up at 645 ready to get a good start on the day. I set two alarms and the guys aren't even awake yet. Awesome
Today was the first real day I've thought about quitting. I haven't been this dehydrated, this hungry, or this tired as I was today. It was a 20 mile day, but I underestimated the terrain and got my butt kicked by a bunch of up's and down's that weren't much on the elevation chart, but constantly going up switchback after switchback all day really took its tole. Tomorrow is a shorter day through the town of Killington and Rutland. I need snacks so I'll be getting enough to last me till Manchester Center. Then from there it's off to Dalton, MA for some much needed R&R. Goodnight and please keep me in your prayers. This hike is more mentally taxing than I ever expected. I need lots of mental fortitude to complete this journey.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The DOC(Department of Corrections, Disciples of Christ, Dartmouth Outing Club)
Day 26
Today we officially exited The White Mountain National Forest today. It was definitely bittersweet because of the beauty of that mountain range. It was really hard to leave town today. A lot harder than it has been in any other town. I just had to pull out my lists of why I'm out here to remind me why I am out here and what I want to get out of my hike. I am pretty excited because I am pulling my first 20 mile day tomorrow and there's a possibility we'll be getting to the New Hampshire state line in 2 days!!!! Today we climbed up and over Mount Moosilauke Which is the last above 4500' mountain we climb in a long while. I am quite happy about that! Anyways it's bed time. Here are today's pictures. Goodnight.
Day 27
Today was our first day over 21 miles. It was an absolutely awesome day with a little bit of rain to cool me off and make the day more bearable. Mentally, today was a good day. I think that the excitement of pulling our first 20 mile day really helped the length of the day. Sorry there aren't any pictures today. The rain was pretty constant the whole day.
On a side note I want to open this blog up for discussion. If any of you reading this ever have a question about my hike or anything about my hike that interests you feel free to shoot me an email. I will be able to check it periodically. Well it's 7 so it's time to start getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is a 24 mile day into Hanover. Goodnight!
Day 28
We be in Hanover chillin' at the Phi Delta Alpha house. What a hook up!!!
Today we officially exited The White Mountain National Forest today. It was definitely bittersweet because of the beauty of that mountain range. It was really hard to leave town today. A lot harder than it has been in any other town. I just had to pull out my lists of why I'm out here to remind me why I am out here and what I want to get out of my hike. I am pretty excited because I am pulling my first 20 mile day tomorrow and there's a possibility we'll be getting to the New Hampshire state line in 2 days!!!! Today we climbed up and over Mount Moosilauke Which is the last above 4500' mountain we climb in a long while. I am quite happy about that! Anyways it's bed time. Here are today's pictures. Goodnight.
Day 27
Today was our first day over 21 miles. It was an absolutely awesome day with a little bit of rain to cool me off and make the day more bearable. Mentally, today was a good day. I think that the excitement of pulling our first 20 mile day really helped the length of the day. Sorry there aren't any pictures today. The rain was pretty constant the whole day.
On a side note I want to open this blog up for discussion. If any of you reading this ever have a question about my hike or anything about my hike that interests you feel free to shoot me an email. I will be able to check it periodically. Well it's 7 so it's time to start getting ready for bed. Tomorrow is a 24 mile day into Hanover. Goodnight!
Day 28
We be in Hanover chillin' at the Phi Delta Alpha house. What a hook up!!!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Hiker Trash
So we're zeroing in Lincoln today and I've officially become hiker trash. I took my long sleeve shirt and made me a nice red neck sleeveless T. Now I have a perfect farmers tan. Also I ate an 18oz burger. Here are the pictures. 16.5 mile slack pack day tomorrow. Terrrr haaaaaaa! Long live The South!!!
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Racist Mountain Range
Day 27
Gorham was awesome. Our day out of Gorham was awesome as well. We hiked 1.5 miles to a shelter and hikes in Subway sandwiches. Tomorrow is a 13 mile day into the real White Mountains. It will be a tough 6 days but we are being told it will be allllll downhill from there. I'm getting pretty excited about that. Today wasn't mentally tough as I thought it would be leaving town, but I was actually excited. I am excited to go through the whites and get on some trail that doesn't break my ankles and make my feet scream at me. Well it's time to read and go to bed. No pictures today, but tomorrow will begin a string of amazing ones.
Day 28
The Whites are hard. We are at the first Hut that the AMC has through the National Forest. The hut's name is Carter Notch Hut. Landon and I did work for stay while Daryl payed to stay. It's almost like staying in a cabin. There are benches stretched out the length of the dining room and a kitchen attached to it. There is a crew of 4 people that run the hut. This includes making the food and housekeeping things. This might actually be something that I'd want to do as a summer job. Here are today's pictures.
Day 29
We summit Mount Washington tomorrow!!!!! Easy 10 today. Here are today's pictures. Goodnight.
Day 30
Mount Washington was awesome!!!!!
Day 33
Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days. We have been Hut hopping through the Whites and have been getting fed soooo well! I've probably put on weight through the Whites! That's saying something! Anyways these Huts are run by college age kids so they love thru-hikers. This could be a summer job I would love to have.
We made it to town and I'm laying in a hostel run by this guy named Chet. The hut is run by donations and is a huge hub for northbound and southbound hikers a like. Tomorrow is a zero day(no hiking) and then we are slackpacking(barely any weight) 17 miles out of the Whites and on to Hanover!!!
Gorham was awesome. Our day out of Gorham was awesome as well. We hiked 1.5 miles to a shelter and hikes in Subway sandwiches. Tomorrow is a 13 mile day into the real White Mountains. It will be a tough 6 days but we are being told it will be allllll downhill from there. I'm getting pretty excited about that. Today wasn't mentally tough as I thought it would be leaving town, but I was actually excited. I am excited to go through the whites and get on some trail that doesn't break my ankles and make my feet scream at me. Well it's time to read and go to bed. No pictures today, but tomorrow will begin a string of amazing ones.
Day 28
The Whites are hard. We are at the first Hut that the AMC has through the National Forest. The hut's name is Carter Notch Hut. Landon and I did work for stay while Daryl payed to stay. It's almost like staying in a cabin. There are benches stretched out the length of the dining room and a kitchen attached to it. There is a crew of 4 people that run the hut. This includes making the food and housekeeping things. This might actually be something that I'd want to do as a summer job. Here are today's pictures.
Day 29
We summit Mount Washington tomorrow!!!!! Easy 10 today. Here are today's pictures. Goodnight.
Day 30
Mount Washington was awesome!!!!!
Day 33
Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days. We have been Hut hopping through the Whites and have been getting fed soooo well! I've probably put on weight through the Whites! That's saying something! Anyways these Huts are run by college age kids so they love thru-hikers. This could be a summer job I would love to have.
We made it to town and I'm laying in a hostel run by this guy named Chet. The hut is run by donations and is a huge hub for northbound and southbound hikers a like. Tomorrow is a zero day(no hiking) and then we are slackpacking(barely any weight) 17 miles out of the Whites and on to Hanover!!!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
Day 17 (I'm starting to count total days)
Soooooo it's been raining for 4 days straight. We left the cabin this morning at 5 a.m. and attempted to summit Sugarloaf Mountain. Lots of hikers are stuck in Stratton because a river 9 miles down the trail is flooded and uncrossable. We skipped those 9 miles , but made up for it in difficulty going up Sugarloaf. The winds were easily 70mph on the summit and it was hella cold! We ended up getting to the lean- to today at around 9 in the morning haha so we have been laying around all day. I took a nap and ate some of my wonderful snacks that mom and dad sent me. It's been chilly so I've been cooped up in my sleeping bag reading all day. I'm not complaining though. Tomorrow we have a 15 mile day and will be in Andover in 5 days. What's even better is that we will be out of the god forsaken state of Maine in 12 days and taking a zero day(no hiking day) in Gorham, NH!!!! I can't wait! Well it's getting late(6:30) and its going to be a long day so I will say goodnight and I'll update tomorrow.
Day 18
It rained last night and into part of this morning. Luckily when we got started today the sky cleared up and we set off. The first 8 miles today have been easy. We started roughly around 7 and just finished lunch halfway through the day at 11:45. The next 8 miles, however, are gonna be a little tough. We have to go over 3 mountains with the highest one being 4120 feet. The thing about mountains in Maine is that they wait and gain all of the elevation within the last half mile of climbing. Soooo dumb! Anyways I was reflecting today and thought how amazing it is that not 20 days ago the people I'm hiking with right now were complete strangers and now I know almost everything about them. It shows what walking in the woods all day with someone can do haha. Well I'm done with lunch and ready to knock out these last 8 miles to the lean-to. Hopefully they won't be too bad :/
The climb up to Saddleback Junior was tough, but what really got me was the descent. It killed my knees and my legs. The Horn and Saddleback mountain though we're well worth the effort. From The Horn to Saddleback mountain it was all above tree line. It was absolutely gorgeous. Then the descent from Saddleback sucked. It's like the M.A.T.C. isn't even maintaining the trails. Oh well. Daryl and I are going to hitch into Rangeley to get some more food. On to how I'm doing. Physically I'm doing just fine. I'm getting my trail legs pretty well, but my ankles are sore from lack of support from my shoes. I have new shoes coming in 4 days though :) mentally I'm fine as well. The days get tougher and at the end of those days suck, but my spirits are high because I know every day is a new day! Well here are the pictures and video. Goodnight!
Day 19
Town day!!!!!!! We went into Rangeley to get some snacky snacks and some gear for Lizzie. There was an IGA so you can imagine I went crazy. A dozen donuts, lipton side dinner, more granola and some more snickers. Mom, I promise that I won't eat like this when I get home. Well we got in and out of town in 3 hours then hiked another 9 to a lean-to right on a pond. I had packed in a ham sandwich which made my arrival that much better! My shoes are torn apart. Thank God I'm 2 days away from new shoes! Here are today's pictures.
Day 20
It's officially been 20 days since I started and I'm doin' great! Today we did 10 miles. We hit a highway halfway through the day where we say down and had a nice relaxing lunch. Right after lunch we were going down a hill when I slipped and snapped my pole. Hiking up hills with only one pole is a lot harder than with two. I'm in the lean-to now about ready to climb in my sleeping bag. I think I'm gonna end every days posts with a question that I think about during the day. Today's question is: Why does American society or even society in general need to be so complicated and fast paced? Here are today's pictures.
Day 21
We made it into Andover today an are staying at the Pine Ellis Lodge. One thing I don't like and I feel is reoccurring is how the hostels slightly take advantage of the hikers once their inside town because your kinda stick at that point. Oh well. It's a cheap nights stay in a real bed instead of a wooden plank.
Day 23
Sorry I've missed a few days. I guess I've been hiking a lot. Funny how that works huh?.....anyways today was a pretty tough day. Landon, Daryl and I did 17 miles today over Baldpate mountain today. The mountain had a steep incline and sheer rock faces. It was beautiful and the views were breathtaking from the top. Were stealth camping off the side of the trail tonight right near the Grafton Notch parking lot. Tomorrow were planning on hiking 13 miles over the Mahoosuc arm and notch. These two sections are said to be the most difficult 2 miles of the entire AT. It's settin' up to be a pretty tough day. My new shoes came in two days ago and I couldn't have asked for a better fit and the high impact insoles make a world of a difference on the downhills.
I'm getting really excited to be out of Maine in two days. Though this is only one state completed in a string of 14 total, but it's a big state and honestly some of the hardest mentally taxing and physically exhausting trail that I've ever done. NH brings on a new challenge in the form of the White Mountains and the Presidential mountain range. Once I get past that though its essentially smooth sailing from there though. I'm really looking forward to that. I'd also like to say thank you to all of you that send words of encouragement and positive thoughts towards me. It truly is things like that that help me get through my walk in the woods. You'd be surprised how challenging its been mentally so far especially when leaving a town to go back to smelling awful and feeling sticky in your sleeping bag, but like Stitch told me its all about managing your tolerance for being uncomfortable. I couldn't agree more. Ok. Here's my question of the day and one picture of my shoes.
Have you thought of doing something ( for example, a thru hike for me) that seemed so daunting or huge to accomplish that it kept you from doing it?
Day 24
First off I would like to wish everyone a happy independence day. I am very envious of your fireworks and BBQ! My fourth was not as enjoyable unfortunately. Landon and I decided to do 14 miles today up and over Mahoosuc Arm and notch. We started with a big climb up Old Spec Mtn. and down a couple up to the Arm. It was slippery rock the whole way down and then we hit the Notch. It's called the hardest mile of the AT because it's nothing but rock scrambles. Oh and I forgot to mention that it rained all day. I have to say that today has been the most emotional taxing day I've had out on the trail so far. The last 2 miles of today were so hard and on top of that my food intake today was minimal so needless to say I was dragging.
On a good note, I currently am .6 of a mile from the NH border!!!! I have gone 281.2 miles and am literally a 15 minute walk tomorrow from getting he hell out of this horrible state. Maine, in my book, gets the award for the worst maintained trails, most roots rocks and mud I have ever seen and walked on in all my time hiking. Oh well. I can't do anything about it. Anyways, it's 17 miles to Gorham and were gonna make that by tomorrow night. We're gonna stay by the road tomorrow night, but head into town on Friday morning for a well deserved zero day and some McDonalds breakfast! Well goodnight for now. I'm off to dream land.
Day 25
I'm in Gorham for some much needed R and R!
Soooooo it's been raining for 4 days straight. We left the cabin this morning at 5 a.m. and attempted to summit Sugarloaf Mountain. Lots of hikers are stuck in Stratton because a river 9 miles down the trail is flooded and uncrossable. We skipped those 9 miles , but made up for it in difficulty going up Sugarloaf. The winds were easily 70mph on the summit and it was hella cold! We ended up getting to the lean- to today at around 9 in the morning haha so we have been laying around all day. I took a nap and ate some of my wonderful snacks that mom and dad sent me. It's been chilly so I've been cooped up in my sleeping bag reading all day. I'm not complaining though. Tomorrow we have a 15 mile day and will be in Andover in 5 days. What's even better is that we will be out of the god forsaken state of Maine in 12 days and taking a zero day(no hiking day) in Gorham, NH!!!! I can't wait! Well it's getting late(6:30) and its going to be a long day so I will say goodnight and I'll update tomorrow.
Day 18
It rained last night and into part of this morning. Luckily when we got started today the sky cleared up and we set off. The first 8 miles today have been easy. We started roughly around 7 and just finished lunch halfway through the day at 11:45. The next 8 miles, however, are gonna be a little tough. We have to go over 3 mountains with the highest one being 4120 feet. The thing about mountains in Maine is that they wait and gain all of the elevation within the last half mile of climbing. Soooo dumb! Anyways I was reflecting today and thought how amazing it is that not 20 days ago the people I'm hiking with right now were complete strangers and now I know almost everything about them. It shows what walking in the woods all day with someone can do haha. Well I'm done with lunch and ready to knock out these last 8 miles to the lean-to. Hopefully they won't be too bad :/
The climb up to Saddleback Junior was tough, but what really got me was the descent. It killed my knees and my legs. The Horn and Saddleback mountain though we're well worth the effort. From The Horn to Saddleback mountain it was all above tree line. It was absolutely gorgeous. Then the descent from Saddleback sucked. It's like the M.A.T.C. isn't even maintaining the trails. Oh well. Daryl and I are going to hitch into Rangeley to get some more food. On to how I'm doing. Physically I'm doing just fine. I'm getting my trail legs pretty well, but my ankles are sore from lack of support from my shoes. I have new shoes coming in 4 days though :) mentally I'm fine as well. The days get tougher and at the end of those days suck, but my spirits are high because I know every day is a new day! Well here are the pictures and video. Goodnight!
Day 19
Town day!!!!!!! We went into Rangeley to get some snacky snacks and some gear for Lizzie. There was an IGA so you can imagine I went crazy. A dozen donuts, lipton side dinner, more granola and some more snickers. Mom, I promise that I won't eat like this when I get home. Well we got in and out of town in 3 hours then hiked another 9 to a lean-to right on a pond. I had packed in a ham sandwich which made my arrival that much better! My shoes are torn apart. Thank God I'm 2 days away from new shoes! Here are today's pictures.
Day 20
It's officially been 20 days since I started and I'm doin' great! Today we did 10 miles. We hit a highway halfway through the day where we say down and had a nice relaxing lunch. Right after lunch we were going down a hill when I slipped and snapped my pole. Hiking up hills with only one pole is a lot harder than with two. I'm in the lean-to now about ready to climb in my sleeping bag. I think I'm gonna end every days posts with a question that I think about during the day. Today's question is: Why does American society or even society in general need to be so complicated and fast paced? Here are today's pictures.
Day 21
We made it into Andover today an are staying at the Pine Ellis Lodge. One thing I don't like and I feel is reoccurring is how the hostels slightly take advantage of the hikers once their inside town because your kinda stick at that point. Oh well. It's a cheap nights stay in a real bed instead of a wooden plank.
Day 23
Sorry I've missed a few days. I guess I've been hiking a lot. Funny how that works huh?.....anyways today was a pretty tough day. Landon, Daryl and I did 17 miles today over Baldpate mountain today. The mountain had a steep incline and sheer rock faces. It was beautiful and the views were breathtaking from the top. Were stealth camping off the side of the trail tonight right near the Grafton Notch parking lot. Tomorrow were planning on hiking 13 miles over the Mahoosuc arm and notch. These two sections are said to be the most difficult 2 miles of the entire AT. It's settin' up to be a pretty tough day. My new shoes came in two days ago and I couldn't have asked for a better fit and the high impact insoles make a world of a difference on the downhills.
I'm getting really excited to be out of Maine in two days. Though this is only one state completed in a string of 14 total, but it's a big state and honestly some of the hardest mentally taxing and physically exhausting trail that I've ever done. NH brings on a new challenge in the form of the White Mountains and the Presidential mountain range. Once I get past that though its essentially smooth sailing from there though. I'm really looking forward to that. I'd also like to say thank you to all of you that send words of encouragement and positive thoughts towards me. It truly is things like that that help me get through my walk in the woods. You'd be surprised how challenging its been mentally so far especially when leaving a town to go back to smelling awful and feeling sticky in your sleeping bag, but like Stitch told me its all about managing your tolerance for being uncomfortable. I couldn't agree more. Ok. Here's my question of the day and one picture of my shoes.
Have you thought of doing something ( for example, a thru hike for me) that seemed so daunting or huge to accomplish that it kept you from doing it?
Day 24
First off I would like to wish everyone a happy independence day. I am very envious of your fireworks and BBQ! My fourth was not as enjoyable unfortunately. Landon and I decided to do 14 miles today up and over Mahoosuc Arm and notch. We started with a big climb up Old Spec Mtn. and down a couple up to the Arm. It was slippery rock the whole way down and then we hit the Notch. It's called the hardest mile of the AT because it's nothing but rock scrambles. Oh and I forgot to mention that it rained all day. I have to say that today has been the most emotional taxing day I've had out on the trail so far. The last 2 miles of today were so hard and on top of that my food intake today was minimal so needless to say I was dragging.
On a good note, I currently am .6 of a mile from the NH border!!!! I have gone 281.2 miles and am literally a 15 minute walk tomorrow from getting he hell out of this horrible state. Maine, in my book, gets the award for the worst maintained trails, most roots rocks and mud I have ever seen and walked on in all my time hiking. Oh well. I can't do anything about it. Anyways, it's 17 miles to Gorham and were gonna make that by tomorrow night. We're gonna stay by the road tomorrow night, but head into town on Friday morning for a well deserved zero day and some McDonalds breakfast! Well goodnight for now. I'm off to dream land.
Day 25
I'm in Gorham for some much needed R and R!
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