So today I finished up my Appalachian Trail hike with a summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. It has been a wonderful trip and can't really believe it's over.
As for the last part, I have to say it was very exciting, rewarding, and memorable. As most of you know my plan was to summit the 16th but mother nature decided to interject. Sunday was my last big day, 33.2 miles setting me up for an easy 13 miles to the base and then a good 5.2 miles up the following day. However, I got a weather report saying Monday would be the better day, so me and this other hiker decided to push in early and summit on Monday, you can't start to climb after 11:00. Got up later then I wanted to and arrived at the base at 11:04, ranger let me go up. 5.2 miles and 4,200 feet of elevation gain.
1st mile was pure adrenaline. 2nd mile was where the climb really began. Some rocky parts, little steep but not bad. 3rd mile I got above tree line with hand over hand climbing, was mostly a blur. 4th mile was a steep incline that was challenging but the views were amazing looking to either side. 5th mile the adrenaline kicked in and the terrain leveled out but seemed like it took forever. The peak was in a cloud so I could only see maybe 25-50 feet in front. But when I saw the sign for the top my heart began to race and I bounded up those last feet. Throng know if I can really describe the feeling but it was awesome, joyful and just plain happy. Cracked open a beer and relaxed knowing I had finished.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
115 Miles
I have just under 115 miles to go. Getting pretty excited to finish up yet at the same time don't want it to really end. Maine has been interesting to say the least. The weather has been mostly rainy, some sun but not a lot.
Maine has beat me up literally. I have fallen I number of times and have more bumps and bruises the last 150 miles then the last 1,900 miles. I've got 2 cuts each on one of my legs, a bruised shoulder, sore knee, a hurt left pinky finger, and my middle n index finger on my right hand. I've bent both of my hiking poles and had to throw one out. However I am still having fun and Am enjoying myself.
I plan on summiting the 16th unless I decide to do 1 more big mile day(40 miles), but who knows.
Day: 117
Mileage: 2,066.5
Maine has beat me up literally. I have fallen I number of times and have more bumps and bruises the last 150 miles then the last 1,900 miles. I've got 2 cuts each on one of my legs, a bruised shoulder, sore knee, a hurt left pinky finger, and my middle n index finger on my right hand. I've bent both of my hiking poles and had to throw one out. However I am still having fun and Am enjoying myself.
I plan on summiting the 16th unless I decide to do 1 more big mile day(40 miles), but who knows.
Day: 117
Mileage: 2,066.5
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Whites
I'm through the White Mountains and had a blast. The weather wasn't very cooperative most days but I did get 2 good days with some nice views. My first 2 days I saw nothing but clouds, mist and fog. Very windy on top above the tree line. 3rd day sun came out and had a nice day, but I was below tree line most o the day until the end when I got a cool sunset. Day 4 the clouds rolled in again and decided to only do 9 miles to try and summit Mt. Washington on a better day. Stay at Lake of the Clouds Hut, had to do some dishes in order to spend the night because guest can pay up to $100 to stay at one of these Huts. As a thru-hiker we get to eat the leftovers for dinner and then breakfast in the morning. We have to sleep on the dinning room floor but it was still nice. Summited Mt. Washington the next morning in worse weather. 50 mph winds with 60-65 mph gusts. Had a blast. The rest of the presidential range was windy and in the fog. Spent the night on top of a mountain, as very windy but in the Mormon had an awesome view of the Presidential Range. Spent the entire day with an amazing view of the Whites.
Tomorrow I will be heading into Maine. As of tonight I have just under 300 miles to go. Should be finishing up around the 16th of August.
Tomorrow I will be heading into Maine. As of tonight I have just under 300 miles to go. Should be finishing up around the 16th of August.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A Cold Soda
You never know what cold soda can do for ya. I am usually not a big soda drinker but out here on the trail I have found myself drinking more of it then normal. It's one of those silly pleasures one gets when they have been out in the woods for a long period of time.
So, this morning wasn't really going my way and I was having trouble getting myself to hike. It has been a rough couple of mentally for me and my brain has been kinda fried. Three plus months on the trail is a long time and I think it has started to get to me.
This morning I'm walking at a much slower pace then normal, 9 miles by noon instead of the usual 12, and I come along to this cooler full of ice cold sodas. Which happened to be right at the 500 mile to go point. Now I sat down and had a soda and boy it taste good. So good I ended up having a second. And since having those 2 sodas I have felt rejuvenated and ready to go. I feel a lot better mentally and am good to go. So you never know what a cold soda might do.
So, this morning wasn't really going my way and I was having trouble getting myself to hike. It has been a rough couple of mentally for me and my brain has been kinda fried. Three plus months on the trail is a long time and I think it has started to get to me.
This morning I'm walking at a much slower pace then normal, 9 miles by noon instead of the usual 12, and I come along to this cooler full of ice cold sodas. Which happened to be right at the 500 mile to go point. Now I sat down and had a soda and boy it taste good. So good I ended up having a second. And since having those 2 sodas I have felt rejuvenated and ready to go. I feel a lot better mentally and am good to go. So you never know what a cold soda might do.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Trail Update
First and foremost Happy Birthday Eric! And good luck Ricky, stay safe.
I crossed into VT today as well as going over the 1,600 mile mark. Things are well I am enjoying the trail. Mass was great, Conn was good, NY had it's good spots but a lot of section that there was really no defined trail. Jersey was great, not what I had expected from it.
Got a new pair of shoes after the last ones bit the dust after 1,200 miles, got my money's worth on those. New pair is doing good broken in pretty easy, no blisters. Was home for a day on Sunday which was really nice.
All in all looking forward to VT, the Whites and of course Maine. Tentitive end date is sometime around the 20th of August. Hope to reach NH on Friday.
Time to go, got 8.5 miles to go this afternoon.
Day 92: 1,604.8 (1,613.3 end of day)
I crossed into VT today as well as going over the 1,600 mile mark. Things are well I am enjoying the trail. Mass was great, Conn was good, NY had it's good spots but a lot of section that there was really no defined trail. Jersey was great, not what I had expected from it.
Got a new pair of shoes after the last ones bit the dust after 1,200 miles, got my money's worth on those. New pair is doing good broken in pretty easy, no blisters. Was home for a day on Sunday which was really nice.
All in all looking forward to VT, the Whites and of course Maine. Tentitive end date is sometime around the 20th of August. Hope to reach NH on Friday.
Time to go, got 8.5 miles to go this afternoon.
Day 92: 1,604.8 (1,613.3 end of day)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
PA Rocks!
Almost done with another state, PA, NJ tomorrow. All trip all I have heard was how PA was rocky as shit, pardon my language, and how it was goin to be a crappy state to hike through. Well people were both right and wrong. PA has been the rockiest state by far but it has also been a fun and good state. Somethings that have been good about:
1. The larger rocks have been fun to climb over.
2. There was a 15 mile stretch were I did not gain or lose more than 25 ft of elevation.
3. Had trail magic 7 out of 11 days... Lots of free food.
4. There was 2 pools, both with water slides.
5. The halfway point and 1/2 gallon challenge.
And 6. It's not New Jersey...
Stats:
Day: 74
Milage: 1,269.7
And if you can't leave a comment but want to, email me at redmoose.ga2me@gmail.com I like reading what everyone has to say.
1. The larger rocks have been fun to climb over.
2. There was a 15 mile stretch were I did not gain or lose more than 25 ft of elevation.
3. Had trail magic 7 out of 11 days... Lots of free food.
4. There was 2 pools, both with water slides.
5. The halfway point and 1/2 gallon challenge.
And 6. It's not New Jersey...
Stats:
Day: 74
Milage: 1,269.7
And if you can't leave a comment but want to, email me at redmoose.ga2me@gmail.com I like reading what everyone has to say.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Half Gallon Challenge
Today I past the halfway point, mile 1,090.5 very exciting. It would have been betterbut it was pouring rain all morning and made a quick celebration at the midway point. The celebration was 4 miles later where the half gallon challenge takes place.
The goal is to be able to eat an entire half gallon of Ice Cream in one sitting. 3 of took to the challenge, my ice cream was Chocolate Swirl, vanilla with chocolate swirl. So it took me 46 minutes to finish the entire thing. It was a fun thing to do but I will not be attempting that again.
The goal is to be able to eat an entire half gallon of Ice Cream in one sitting. 3 of took to the challenge, my ice cream was Chocolate Swirl, vanilla with chocolate swirl. So it took me 46 minutes to finish the entire thing. It was a fun thing to do but I will not be attempting that again.
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