The End of a Journey

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

Tentative Plan

Harpers Ferry: Mile 1,014 June 16th
PA/NJ border: Mile 1,285 June 29th
NJ/NY Border: Mile 1,358 July 3rd
NY/CT Border: Mile 1,447 July 8th
CT/MA Border: Mile 1,498 July 11th
MA/VT Border: Mile 1,589 July 16th


Stats:
Days: 58
Miles: 919.3
Bears: 2
Deer: 21
Snakes: 9
Turkeys: 5
Raccoons: 1
Turtle: 1
Wild Ponies: 30

Shenandoah National Park

Still having the time of my life. My ankle is all better, 100%. Entered Shenandoah National Park Friday, so far it has yet to be anything exciting. Basically I have been paralelling Skyline Drive and crossing it, not at view points. There has been a few good climbs and 1 or 2 good views.
I did see my second bear the other day, he really just didn't care that I was there. He was a good 15 yds off the trail eating and I almost walked right by him. It wasn't till I stopped that he looked up and took a few steps away. Didn't get a good picture cause he went into some brush and I just continued onward. 
Took a side trip down a trail to see a waterfall, wasn't worth the mile and a quarter hike straight back up to the AT. Still glad I went down to see it. 

Captain's Hiker Feed

First off, ankle is doing better, but it is still a little sore and I am taking is slow. Friday night got a shuttle back to the Captain's for his annual Hiker Feed on Saturday. Lots of food, beer and hikers. Came across some people I haven't seen in a while and it was good to catch up. Getting a shuttle back later today and will continue with an easy day today.

Went over Dragon's Tooth the other day and climb to the top of one of the rocks and had lunch. Spent almost 2 hrs on the huge rock. Was a funday coming down the rocky side. Had an awesome day and to top it off had AYCE at The Homeplace, great food.

Stats:
Day: 43
Mileage: 694.2
Average: 16.5

Rest

On Saturday my left ankle started to bother me and I have decided to take a few days off and rest. I am not really sure what has caused the pain but I think it might have been the rocky terrain the last few days and the fact that I was hiking at a quicker pace. I have decide to drop it down a notch for the next week and will only be doing about 10 or so miles a day. I am hoping it is nothing serious and a little rest and easiness will do the trick. Tomorrow I will try it out and hope for the best.

Other than that all is well with me and I am having a wonderful time. The weather has broke a little and had sun on Friday and Saturday for the first time in a week. Friday night I tent by a river with some neat falls, it was really cool. We had a campfire going and were able to roast marshmallows that one us had brought in. A nice little treat after a long day of hiking.

Trail Days & Ponies

After doing 33 miles on Thursday I spent the next 2 days relaxing at Trail Days. To give you an idea picture venders from a state fair mixed in with backpacking gear venders & couple 1000 hikers. Ob friday ended up getting my haircut, still have the beard, and i also gave blood. It was a lot fun, was able to see some of the people I had hiked with for a few days. Saturday there was a Hiker Parade with past and current thru hikers. The locals lined the streets some with water balloons and squirt guns, ton of fun.

The other big thing on Monday while hiking came across maybe 30 wild ponied, 3 groups in different areas. It was pretty cool to see, I was able to get some good photos. I counted 8 new yearlings with the groups.

The weather has been pretty gloomily the last few days. Rain on and off with no sunshine. Staying pretty dry but would like some sun.

Stats:
Days: 31
Miles: 503.2
Bears: 0
Deer: 6
Snakes: 4
Turkeys: 3
Raccoons: 1
Turtle: 1
Wild Ponied: 30

Trail Magic

Missed the big storm last night, was happy to have a bed a shower at the Hostel. At the lake today a few guys who hiked the trail in '09 had hot dogs, soda, beer and snake out for e everyone. We took a 4 hr break to just relax and enjoy the sunshine. After that hiked another 8 miles or so. Trail days is this weekend and should be pretty fun.

Stats:
Days Mileage: 17.5
Days: 26
Miles: 431.5
Bears: 0
Deer: 5
Snakes: 4
Turkeys: 3
Raccoons: 1
Turtle: 1

New Shoes

Had to buy a new pair shoes cause my boots were killing my feet. They are doing great a few blisters but what can you expect when do 2 20 mile days with a brand new pair of hiking shoes. I am doing great have put in some bigs days. The last 5 out of 6 days I have done over 20 a day with my longest being 24. Spent the night in Hot Springs, NC on Tuesday and had an awesome homecooked meal at the place I stayed. It was nice cause it rained that night so I was able to stay dry and warm.

Stats:
Days: 20
Miles: 312.9
Bears: 0
Deer: 4
Snakes: 2
Turkeys: 3
Turtles: 1 ( for those who complained)

The Smokies

Stopped into town today to resupply, have been eating a lot the couple of days so I'm caring a few extra pounds the next days. The Smokies have been great so far. Amazing views from the mountain peaks. The park itself is just beautiful and so amazing. One in a life time experience. Overall I am doing great, hit the 200 mile mark yesterday as well the high point on the trail at 6643 ft.

If anyone wants to send a care package let me know and I can tell you where to send it.
Hope all is well with everyone.

Stats:
Days: 14
Miles: 200.2
Bears: 0
Snakes: 2
Deer: 4
Turkey: 3

Fontana Dam n The Smokies

Staying at Fontana Dam, NC tonight and will be heading into The Smokies tomorrow. Been having a great couple of days of hiking over the last few days. Really starting to get my legs under me and I hope to fly through the Smokies. Having a blast and meeting a lot of interesting people.

Days: 12
Mileage: 164
Bears: 0
Snakes: 2
Turkeys: 2
Turtles: 1

So long Georgia

Crossed the GA/NC border yesterday, was pretty exciting. I will try and upload a photo later. I am doing well and am averaging 14 miles a day or so. Will be hitting the hundred mile mark tomorrow and planning to do my 1st 20 mile day. Somethings I've learn after sweep of hiking:

1. Georgia is a B*tch, up and down.
2. I have too much food for the 1st few days.
3. My pack is the heaviest in the morning.
4. Hitch hiking a ride to town wasn't that bad.

So far 0 bears and 0 snakes.


Oh and I changed my trail name to Red Moose.

Day 4

Banged out 8 already this morning, plan on doing another 7 or so. Have had a great 3 days so far. Weather has been great, alittle cool at night. Plan on goin into Hiawassee tomorrow to resuply. Til next time, H2

Day 1

It's 10:30am on April 16th and I have officially started my hike.

My Blog

Welcome to my blog of my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. I start hiking next Saturday April 16th and plan on finishing sometime around the end of August. I am going to try and keep this updated as often as I can. Feel free to post comment and follow along with me. And if your up to it and around come join me for a few days.

Adam aka H2 (trail name unless i come up with something else)