New Boots and the 2,000 Mile Mark

We started our hike on Saturday (8-20) at 7:10 AM on yet another gorgeous day.  We climbed S. Crocker Mountain (4,039 ft), descended 400 ft, and then climbed N. Crocker Mountain at 4,228 ft.  We began a 2,800 ft descent over the course of five miles to reach Stratton, ME.  We got a ride at the trailhead to the Stratton Motel.  We did our laundry and enjoyed dinner after hiking 8.4 miles for the day.  On Sunday (8-21) we took a zero hiking day.  We had breakfast at a diner across from the motel and then resupplied at a grocery store next door.  We bought enough food to last us for four days which will get us into Caratunk, ME.  We also bought an additional four days worth of food and sent it to Caratunk to get us from Caratunk to Monson, ME.  Caratunk doesn't have a grocery store.  We will pick up our food shipment at a lodge on Thursday evening.  My Scarpa boots are finally shot.

These excellent boots took me 2,000 miles but unfortunately, won't take me to the end.  They have fallen apart and the tred on the bottom is very worn.  After lunch the motel owner drove us to Rangeley, ME so I could go to an outfitter and purchase new boots.  I bought Merrell hiking boots this time.  On Monday (8-22) the motel owner drove us back to the trail at 7 AM.  There was a lot climbing as we crossed three peaks of the Bigelow Mountains: South Horn (3,831), West Peak (4,145), and the Avery Peak (4,090).  After the initial ascent to the South Horn, we descended 600 ft. each time before finally reaching Avery Peak.  The sun was shining and it was nice outside when we reached the top of the South Horn.  This is the West Peak.

When we reached the second and third peaks, the weather quickly changed to cold and windy and a light rain started.  A jacket was essential.  We camped at 5 PM after hiking 10.4 miles.  After 154 days (22 weeks) I have hit the 2,000 mile mark!  I have hiked 2,003.5 miles for an average of 13.0 miles per day.