ART ART BLOG ART HIKE

Trail Journal




Date: July 25 2000
Trail Day: 55
Miles Today: 23
Location: Caratunk House
Section Mile: AT 151
ECT Mile: 831

Well, tarp is a phenomenon all its own. I had to be very careful how I rolled around while sleeping to avoid collapsing the whole thing. The advantage is - you are very close to nature. I watched a worm that is shaped like a "sigma" walking through. I did not realize it but it has a lot of difficulty on dirt and very small twigs. If it gets on a very small twig, the twig turns and the worm falls with it. For some reason it was attracted towards me. It was either the smell of food that I was eating or the blue of the tarp. At one point I built a little bridge for it using pine cones and a stick. As you can well see I have a lot of time on my hands :).

Today was again a beautiful day. No rain. I also did some good mileage - remarkable considering there were 2 hill climbs. Moxie Bald had beautiful views. I have heard the name Moxie Bald a lot but did not know why. I think its because the views are good on all sides and you can see Katahdin from here. I think I have been seeing Katahdin for some 12 days now. Nimblewill Nomad joined me along with Big Ring, Granny Gear and some others. The next hill was Pleasant Pond Hill. It is a long slow up and down climb terminating in a sharp down. Nomad passed me here. He is a real tough guy and carries an ultra-light bag and is fast.

I had heard a lot of good things about a B+B called Caratunk Home and decided to hike the extra miles to get there. I recommend this place to all hikers. One of the owners has thru-hiked the AT and PCT and has a good idea of hiker's needs. Nimblewill Nomad had also made it here. It was about 23 miles for me and about 28 miles for him. Also met Lurch. He is a University student and a real nice guy. Did my laundry, took a shower, ate pizza and drank beer.

Tomorrow we cross the Kennebec river.



Date: July 26 2000
Trail Day: 56
Miles Today: 14
Location: West Carry Pond Lean-to
Section Mile: AT 165
ECT Mile: 846

Had a good breakfast and left at about 11 AM. The Kennebec river has a ferry service for AT hikers. You had to wade it several years ago. Then a thru-hiker drowned and they introduced the ferry service. I talked to Steve who operates the ferry for a while and took a photo. The terrain today was a little hilly and went by streams, water falls and ponds. Also had a lot of bogs.

I passed two north bound thru-hikers, and one south bound hiker called Houdini. I got to the shelter and was joined by Lurch, Nomad and Houdini.



Date: July 27 2000
Trail Day: 57
Miles Today: 18
Location: Horn's Pond Lean-to
Section Mile: AT 183
ECT Mile: 864

Today we start probably the toughest 200 mile section in the AT. All four of us started hiking about 8 AM. We got to Little Bigelow Mountain at about 11 AM. The views were terrific. The next climb was Bigelow mountain. After numerous false summits I finally reached the peak. It had started raining by then. It was very windy, cold and foggy. It was almost surreal. I could also understand why so many people die in the mountains. The weather is unpredictable and severe. There is also no place to hide in case of lightning. I crossed Avery peak very quickly. Bigelow is M shaped. The second peak was West peak. There were some scouts there, so I asked them to take a photo of me.

On the way down the rocks were slippery and wet. I slowed down quite a bit. Reached Horn's pond Lean-to and was joined by Houdini. Nomad has most probably continued another 6 miles to Stratton while Lurch is camped on the other side of Bigelow. I may not see him again.

We are at an elevation of 3500 feet and you can see the clouds go by. There is a caretaker here by the name of Sonya - pretty young girl. Says she lives in her car.



Date: July 28 2000
Trail Day: 58
Miles Today: 18
Location: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Section Mile: AT 201
ECT Mile: 882

The hike from the lean-to to Maine 27 was fairly easy. Saw two scout groups. Got a ride fairly easily into Stratton. Called Kumar - he is usually very difficult to get a hold of - because the phone company keeps disconnecting his phone. Bought groceries and had lunch at a diner. The waitress had the trail name - Bucket Lady. She said it was because she would finish off any left over food. Mailed a film roll and journal entries to Suriyan and got a ride back to the trail.

After the meal the going was very slow and sluggish. I also chatted with some north bounders. The Crocker mountains were a steep climb. Today was slightly better, weather wise - cloudy but no rain. The peak conditions were very different from yesterday. It was very calm. Then there was a sharp climb down and a sharp climb up to Spaulding mountain. The profile here is horrible although the worst is still yet to come. Map 7 seems to be the worst.

I was trying to make it to the Spaulding Lean-to. It started to get dark but I continued on. Its amazing how your eyes can still see. I did not trip or fall anywhere. It was quite easy. It was foggy and dark everywhere. I could also understand why hikers walk at night sometimes. It has an atmosphere all its own. Finally made it to the Lean-to.

A couple already here, gave me some soup. I made some sandwiches and went to sleep. Today's shelter is crowded. 7 sleeping here with 2 tented. I think it will get worse as the north bounder crowd starts to come through.



Date: July 29 2000
Trail Day: 59
Miles Today: 17
Location: Piazza Rock Lean-to
Section Mile: AT 218
ECT Mile: 899

Today's hike was extremely difficult. I had planned on reaching the next shelter but as I got to this one, I knew I had absolutely no energy. There were no views as it was fogged in. About 3 miles of it is above tree line. I could hear distant thunder and rushed through the ridge. I met three people who are collecting 4000 footers - climbing all peaks higher than 4000 feet.

I got to the shelter and ate my food. The food tasted good for a change. I have also started carrying bread and cheese. They are extremely satisfying. I have picked up the food tips from Nimblewill Nomad.



Date: July 30 2000
Trail Day: 60
Miles Today: 15
Location: Featherhorse Inn
Section Mile: AT 233
ECT Mile: 914

My shoes are now coming apart. I have to get new ones before I hit the Mahoosuc range which is supposed to be pretty tough. I don't want the shoes to completely fail in the middle of a mountain. I am also going to experiment with lighter cross training aerobic shoes. I have read that 1 lb of shoe weight is equivalent to several pounds of pack weight. I am also going to hike with two walking sticks. It gives more stability. Most finishing north bounders use Leki poles. I don't want to pay 150 $ for those, so I will use my ski pole and a stick.

Today's hike was fairly easy. I got to SR 17 but had a hard time finding a ride. I walked a little but realizing that the town was 11 miles away picked a stretch of highway and sat down and tried to hitch hike. Here's how the chances of a ride work. If it is a car, the chances are poor. If it is any other vehicle but has something fancy like large tires, souped up engine etc - no good. Tourists with shiny vehicles - no good. Luxury vehicles like BMW, Jaguars - forget it. If it is a rickety vehicle and you realize the driver has 4 teeth missing when he smiles, you've got a good shot.

I got a chance to observe tourists. SR 17 runs besides a mountain and you have beautiful views at places. Here's how tourists "visit nature". They drive along, brake suddenly when they see a scenic spot and pull over. Fat people roll out of cars. The children run here and there shrieking. Things are pointed at, photos are taken. Fat people get back in their car and drive off. I thought I had seen it all when 2 cars drove up and they did not even get out of their cars for the view !

Anyway, I got a ride after about 1 hour. Dave was also at the inn. He was at the shelter last night. He is a chemist and is from Michigan. I will be doing a zero mile day tomorrow and get a ride to Rangeley to buy the shoes.



Date: July 31 2000
Trail Day: 61
Miles Today: 0
Location: Featherhorse Inn
Section Mile: AT 233
ECT Mile: 914

Had a good breakfast and got a ride into Rangeley. It was a nice day and Rangeley is a decent sized town. Talked to Vivek and Suriyan. Checked email and got a ride back. Watched some movies on the VCR here. A good day of rest.







Trail Info

Hike Journal


Join my newsletter


Friend me facebook
wechat: 18801052785
   Contact me

ART ART BLOG ART HIKE