Date: Juni 1 2000
Trail Day: NA
Miles Today: NA
Location: Cap Gaspe, Canada
Section Mile: IAT NA
ECT Mile: NA
I got to Gaspe around noon. As soon as I got off the train I asked another
guy to take a photograph. He told me he had just returned from Antartica.
He offered me a ride in a cab across a bridge and took me to a Fisheries
Department saying he was going to give me a poster. As no one was in the
office he just got my address and he said he would mail it to me. His name
is Daniel. I don't know what to make of him. I was quite nervous as I had
no idea who he was. But he was helpful. Then I started walking the road
towards Forillion park. About 15 minutes into the walk it started raining
with very strong winds. It was enough to push you around. Just as suddenly
it cleared off after about 15 minutes. I then got a ride into Forillion
Park about half way to Gaspe. Started walking again and got a ride for
about 3 miles from a couple from Montreal. They were young and the girl
was very beautiful. They dropped me off and I started hiking the trail.
Got to the light house which is the beginning point of the trail. There is
another short trail that takes one, half way down to the water's edge. As
soon as I started walking the trail I saw the girl that had given me the
ride flash for a photograph. Then she saw me and was embarassed. Anyway
we walked down to the end of the trail. From there its a somewhat
steep climb down to the water's edge. Somehow made it. Washed my feet in
the ocean, took some photographs and got back.
I have decided to start the hike one day earlier as I was able to get
rides very quickly. This is the last entry of the pre-hike journal. What
can I say - let the insanity begin !!
Date: June 1 2000
Trail Day: 1
Miles Today: 4.8
Location: Cap Bon Ami Campground
Section Mile: IAT 4.8
ECT Mile: 4.8
The views along the ocean are spectacular. I saw a porcupine on the trail.
First it looked like a skunk ready to spray me. I backed away quickly
but then realized it was a porcupine. I shouted and yelled to get him off
the trail - no effect. Walked around. By the end of the day I had seen 4
porcupines. None of them ran away when they heard or saw me approaching.
Also saw a rabbit - possibly domestic gone wild. He moved off the trail
but did not run. He sat there about 10 ft from me. Also saw an unidentified
bird near a tiny stream. He would not run or fly away either. He was almost
all black, was the size of a hen and had raised tail feathers like a peacock
displaying. He also had a tuft on his head.
I had decided on taking it easy and not overdo the hiking the first day.
I did not overdo it but am certainly in the vicinity. The muscles above the
knees have started cramping. As I was nearing a campground I talked to a
couple and they told me that the campground was closed. They also told me
that there were bear in the area. I usually ignore such stuff. I started
walking to the campground. A couple of minutes later I saw a bear. He was
young - the size of a large dog. I didn't know what to do. I tried to
shoo him away but he only looked confused. Then he realized that there
was man and bounded away. This is my first bear sighting in the wild. I
think I will have to be careful and keep the food well away from the tent.
I had noodles for dinner, set up camp and was out like a light. I would like
to know how sore I will be tomorrow.
Lighthouse at Cap de Gaspe
Date: June 2 2000
Trail Day: 2
Miles Today: 15.6
Location: Camp near Lacs de Penouille
Section Mile: IAT 20.4
ECT Mile: 20.4
Slept like a baby. I wasn't sore at all and felt good. No bear visits. The
camp was near the sea and thus at sea level. The trail led directly to an
observtion tower which is on one of the highest points in the vicinity.
Needless to say it was up, up and up. Coming from flat Florida, I had to stop
about 15 times even though it was barely 1.5 kms (0.9 miles). The
view was
spectacular. They have things similar to gun sights that show exactly
what is what - excellent. Cap Gaspe - where I started from looked like a
stones throw away although it was 10 kms (6.2 miles). Rest of the hike was
OK - the scenery was good, felt tired on the ups, OK on the downs and flew
through the flats. After the ups the flats felt like rest periods.
Started seeing patches of snow. Looks like the sheltered portions still
have snow. The weather is ideal for hiking, although resting for more
than 15 minutes will get one shivering. There are numerous little streams
with cold - cold water. I used to fantasize about ice cold water during my
Florida hikes. Well, here I have it. The day started out sunny but
quickly turned overcast and stayed that way. It started raining just
as I reached camp and rained almost all night.
I also took two 10-15 minute naps along the way. I started dreaming almost
immediately. It is bizarre when one dreams and one is somehow aware that
one is just resting on the trail. In one I saw 2 sparrows chirp and hop
very clearly. I wonder what this immediate dreaming means.
Taking a rest after an endless up.
Date: June 3 2000
Trail Day: 3
Miles Today: 13.6
Location: Hill between Petit Riviere Au Renaurd and Petit Cap
Section Mile: IAT 34
ECT Mile: 34
Today's hike went through an altitude of about 1500 ft. The trail was half
covered with snow. It was a good experience walking on the snow. Some parts
of the trail are slippery, while other parts sink in about 1.5 ft, when
stepped on. It comes as a surprise and can be very tiring. Parc de la
Gaspesie is at about 4000 ft. That should be interesting. As snow was still
melting, lot of the trail was mucky. There were 2 instances where the
bridges across the stream had been washed away and I had to get my shoes
completely wet while crossing. So today was a wet shoe hike day.
I did not know that porcupines could climb trees. I saw one do just that
as soon as it heard me. I also completed Park Forillion today. I really
like this park and would recommend it to anyone wanting to do 2-3 day hikes.
The trails have been well maintained and marked. They have also built
stations for views. Overall the management has done a good job. The park
is also good for sightseeing where one can get a glimpse of unspoilt
sea sides.
Called Churi and Vivek as soon as I got to the first phone. Churi wasn't
there but I talked to Vivek. It feels good to talk to someone you know
after several days of hiking. I had a burger and fries at one of the
shops. Expensive - 7 US $. It is now a 5 day road walk to Park de la
Gaspesie. I am now in my tent on top of a hill. It is sloped everywhere
and I tried to find the most level area possible. Even then I have a
15 degree slope. Tonight should be interesting. Maybe I will wake up at
the bottom of the hill. Just kidding. There are trees everywhere. Weather
wise the day started out cloudy with all my equipment wet. It cleared up
around noon and it was bright and sunny. Now (6 pm), it is again cloudy
and drizzling.
Date: June 4 2000
Trail Day: 4
Miles Today: 19.9
Location: Just west of unnamed tourist spot near sea
Section Mile: IAT 53.9
ECT Mile: 53.9
The day started out with either snow or hail. It was ice crystals about
1/16th of an inch. It sprinkled for 10 minutes or so. I had a brunch of a
sub, 2 bananas and a soda. I then got to an information center and they
told me that the next place I could get food was 28 kms (17.4 miles) away.
The map showed a lot of little towns and near the Gaspe peninsula there
were stores, restaurants fairly frequently. I was banking on getting
food from these stores and was therfore carrying none. I had to go hungry
after my brunch. The next meal will be tomorrow.
It is very windy as I am
very near the open sea and the wind is cold. I was wearing my jacket
with the hood up and gloves all day. People here seem to know about the
IAT though they don't know where it is. The IAT people are also trying
to close the the gap between Parc de la Gaspesie and Park Forillion. I
could see some blazes and flags along the way. Saw a very good view of
a church next to the ocean. I took a shot of it.
As soon as the series of towns near the Gaspe peninsula ended there have
been no signs along the road. So I only have a rough idea of where I am.
Well, I will be dreaming of food tonight.
Date: June 5 2000
Trail Day: 5
Miles Today: 16.8
Location: Campground in Grande Vallee
Section Mile: IAT 70.7
ECT Mile: 70.7
Excellent day today. The day started bright and clear although over night
it was very cold (Later conversations revealed the temperature had dropped
below freezing). Had a good breakfast after the fast yesterday. The road
today ran along towns with stores. But I don't think I will be hiking without
food any more. Mailed my first film and set of journal entries to Churi.
Tried calling Kumar and Suriyan several times - no luck. Had a good lunch
and dinner. Today was a relaxed day - not in terms of miles but I guess
socially. Since I was walking through town I was meeting and talking to a
lot of people. People seem to fall into two distinct categories - they
like hikers or they hate them. The younger crowd is in general, favourably
disposed. The older folks don't know what to make of me. Come up behind
someone and hit him on the head with a baseball bat - that's the dazed look
I get.
It is still very windy at times. If it is windy you need a jacket with
hood up and gloves otherwise you can cut down your thermal barrier. But it
changes very quickly. So its a cat and mouse game. I am also getting
chaffing problems between my thighs. So I am walking with pants riding
high to get some cloth between the problem area - you know, in sort of an
Earkle fashion. I am already dark and wear glasses, throw in a nasal voice
and the show should be complete.
I am now at a campground - 9$. Doing laundry after shower. Almost night,
the sea is a deep dark blue while the sky is pink turning to blue. Its
unbelievable. I am also down 950 ml of Labat Blue Dry Beer and feeling on
top of the world.
I also got a ride from one of the local residents to a store without even
asking for it. He was generous to a fault. He was born about 5 km from
here and has lived here his whole life. We had an interesting conversation
- me in highly broken French, him rattling away and me catching bits and
pieces. Trail angels don't exist on the AT alone !!
Date: June 6 2000
Trail Day: 6
Miles Today: 19.2
Location: 2 miles west of Manche d'Epee
Section Mile: IAT 89.9
ECT Mile: 89.9
Today was a tough day. The hike started off with a 4-5 km steep climb and
there were no interesting features or breakpoints for the first 18 km.
The road was hard and my soles are hurting. I had breakfast and dinner
at mom and pop stores. The dinner was at a home where they put 4 tables.
Very quaint. Today's section was through a somewhat economically depressed
area. I wonder what makes it such. There are similar towns a little east
of here that are doing quite well. I was able to get internet access at
Madeleine Center and made a "from the trail" entry. Towards the end of the
hike (2 kms) the road is just a few feet above the sea and very level.
One of the journals I had read mentioned this, although I had come away with
the impression that it was like that all the way to Park Forillion - not
so. Anyway, tomorrow's hike should be fairly easy and should get me to
Mount Saint Pierre from where I enter the Parc de la Gaspesie by trail
till the foot of Mount Jacques Cartier. Then, I do a road walk around the
peak - as it is closed due to Caribou birth season and get to the resort
Le Gite. There I pick up the food I had mailed from Montreal and start
probably the most challenging section of my hike. There is about 3 feet of
snow there although I have been told the snow is compact.
I am now about to set up camp beside the road (a safe distance away but visible
from the road). I dont have a choice because there is just a narrow strip
of land leading to very steep mountains. I will be waiting for it to get
dark before I set up camp - just a precaution. It is very windy as it
is right next to the open sea - should be interesting.
Anyway, end of a very long and tough day. Today was significant because
I reached the northern most point of my hike and it is also the longest
I have gone without shaving. I wanted to take a photo of myself in
Manche de Epee as it is the northern most point. Its like a ghost town -
no one around. I saw an old lady working in her yard and asked/signalled
in French to her if she would take my photograph. She looked uncertainly
for two seconds and then shook her head vehemantly and said No ! I got
a photo at the store.
