As you can see from the sign, it is 281.4 miles to reach Mt. Katahdin, the end of the AT. Maine is second in the number of miles on the trail with only Virginia having more. We went over Goose Eye Mountain and had numerous rock scrambles. We had heard from several other hikers that southern Maine is as tough or tougher than the White Mountains were in New Hampshire. We finally finished a challenging day at 7:10 PM and completed 9.5 miles. We got a late start on Thursday (8-11) as we wanted to make sure the weather was favorable. We entered the much talked about Mahoosuc Notch. For 1.1 miles the AT climbs over, crawls under, squeezes between, slides down, and jumps huge rocks. There were many times the terrain looked impassible when I first glanced. Many of the ascents are actually rock climbing and someone would be seriously hurt if he/she fell. At times we had to pass our backpacks between each other just to get through the rock obstacles. This section is notoriously known as the toughest mile on the entire trail. It took us more than 3 hours just to go 1.1 miles. Here is a picture where there is ice/snow between the rocks, even in August!
We reached Speck Pond Shelter at 5:30 PM and the three of us tented on a group tent pad. We hiked only 5.1 miles over nine hours but we have now finished one of the most difficult sections of the AT.
What a journey you have been on these past few months. I look at my feeble attempts to run three miles a day on the treamill and YOU have hiked the AP! I am beyond impressed, but not surprised, that you have overcome some obstacles and managed so successfully to do this. Good luck on the last leg of your travels and I look forward to hearing that you have reached the finish line. Best Regards, Cindy Angell
ReplyDeleteGreat going Buckeye but there are a couple more mtns in Maine. I know that you will finish strong. Love reading your blog. Brings me back to the trail.
ReplyDeletePace and I will be going to California to do the John Muir trail on August 31st.
Porter
So happy to know you are back with Pilgrim,and now, Dead Man. That terrain you have been going over sounds MORE than challenging. Also, happy to know the air cast has helped and you are moving along so well.You are getting so close now to your goal. It must keep propelling you along every day! Love reading your blog. It's gorgeous today, so here's to some really good hiking weather for you guys! Continued good luck and God Bless! Sue
ReplyDeleteOnly the trail in Maine stands between you and the end of your fabulous journey. Hopefully there will be no pitfalls in your way. Looking forward to seeing you again.
ReplyDeleteWow. Over the biggest hurdle must feel great. Glad all of you made it. It has been quite a journey and I have enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures of it from this angle. May God continue to bless and keep all of you safe and able to finish this journey you have undertaken. I am wondering what you have planned to top this. Mary
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