3:45pm @ Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Busy out here on the trail, and I don't mean swarms of day or section hikers. The days are in fact full with many concerns and obligations. Setting up / breaking down camp. Cooking dinner. Even making a lunch sandwich takes time.
I imagined there would be a great deal of down time in the evenings and mornings, but there is not.
I try to be asleep by 7pm and back on the trail by 7am. To be honest, I am sleeping most of that time! Walking 8 hours a day with 30lbs on your back up and down mountains is exhausting apparently.
One other misconception I had about the trail was "what will I think about when walking?"
The answer is: Where to put your next foot step! Honest. On the two days I have gone 15+ miles, there was not time for any other thought!
I looked a the AT map on the wall here at the cabin. Saw where I started.....and just how much further Katadhin is. Shit piss fuck man. the 100mi I have walked is NOTHING.
There isn't much sense in worrying about it. Currently my body is the limiting factor on the number of miles I can pull. 10-12 seems to be the max. I don't know if lightening my pack any more will help much. Base weight is 15lbs.
I keep thinking about how fast the NOBOs are. Were they that much more fit than me when starting the trail? Were they always pulling 20mi days?!
The trail is beautiful. I am lucky to be out here at all. It is a small miracle my back is holding up. The idea of completing the trail is on my mind. I need to decide what walking all 2,100miles will mean to me. What NOT walking it will mean also.
I wish my heels didn't hurt. If the leg pains would just complete, I would be able to find something else to be insecure about already!
I am a hot trail mess. Guess this is part of the reason for being out here. To be pushed out of the old comfort zone. But, now it is dinner time. We made it to the shelter in record time 8:15am -> 2:30pm, 10.4mi in 6.2 hours.
I am getting faster....but is the improvement fast enough?
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
There were no bears.
6:46pm @ the Shaker Campsite
mi 1538
Been walking with my Belgium friend again today. I think both of us would prefer to go solo, but we walk at the exact same pace! Also, she is good company. She is tough as nails. Nothing scares her. She is a traveler if there ever was one.
For me, the pain in my hips is all but gone. BUT. It was replaced by knee pain......which more or less went away, but has now been replaced with heel pain. Tomorrow I will take more breaks. Today I stopped only once and hour...or less I guess.
What is more exciting is that I am learning to walk fast. Not that I want to, but it is a skill that will help get between the 15 mile shelter gaps.
We had lunch at the MNT Wilcox shelter. There was a sign saying 'bear at shelter' and 'no water'. But climbing the .3mi down the hill we were treated to a lunch time paradise! Picnic table, sun to dry our socks and shoes. No mosquitoes!! And a perfect little stream to get water and have a trail shower (sponge bath). We felt amazing when returning to the trail.
Tomorrow is the famous Upper Goose Pond shelter where there is swimming and canoes!
All my evening chores are complete: Water, eat dinner, am in my tent now writing this before heading to dream land. 7pm. Nothing to do but sleep and then do it all again! Pretty great out here.
mi 1538
Been walking with my Belgium friend again today. I think both of us would prefer to go solo, but we walk at the exact same pace! Also, she is good company. She is tough as nails. Nothing scares her. She is a traveler if there ever was one.
For me, the pain in my hips is all but gone. BUT. It was replaced by knee pain......which more or less went away, but has now been replaced with heel pain. Tomorrow I will take more breaks. Today I stopped only once and hour...or less I guess.
What is more exciting is that I am learning to walk fast. Not that I want to, but it is a skill that will help get between the 15 mile shelter gaps.
We had lunch at the MNT Wilcox shelter. There was a sign saying 'bear at shelter' and 'no water'. But climbing the .3mi down the hill we were treated to a lunch time paradise! Picnic table, sun to dry our socks and shoes. No mosquitoes!! And a perfect little stream to get water and have a trail shower (sponge bath). We felt amazing when returning to the trail.
Tomorrow is the famous Upper Goose Pond shelter where there is swimming and canoes!
All my evening chores are complete: Water, eat dinner, am in my tent now writing this before heading to dream land. 7pm. Nothing to do but sleep and then do it all again! Pretty great out here.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Mosquito Attaque.
Staying at the Tom Lenard shelter in MA tonight. There are all these thru hikers here. Pretty great.
Two highlights of the day:
Walking with a girl from Belgium. She is faster than me and has a fantastic attitude about hiking.
The other was walking with a Quebec french guy. Peaceful Warrior. He is beautiful and hikes with no shirt. He has the quiet confidence so alien to me that I want to spend time with him to see how that works.
I learned how to hike fast downhill today from Peaceful Warrior. He is like a gymnast on the trail. Something amazing to watch.
Today was my longest day on the trail. 14mi between shelters. Tomorrow I'll go slower. Only 10mi to a campground.
I thought that being out here, surviving the outdoors would help me build some confidence. so far, not so much.
There were so many mosquitoes today. Fucking ran through the woods. After about 4 hours of walking as fast as I could through the Fire-Swamp (there were no rodents of unusual size), I got to a road crossing where there were no mosquitoes. I was exhausted, tired, and sticky from sweat. I said out loud after admiring my elbows, where were the main mosquito attack zone was: "My arms itch."
I am not sure exactly what it was. Maybe my pathetic voice, or the blunt honesty of the statement, but I started cracking up. Suddenly feeling bad was past the point of misery, and transcended into hilarity.
So, I ate my lunch, watched a small family walk unprepared onto the swamp trail, then hiked 5.5 more miles to the shelter.
Two highlights of the day:
Walking with a girl from Belgium. She is faster than me and has a fantastic attitude about hiking.
The other was walking with a Quebec french guy. Peaceful Warrior. He is beautiful and hikes with no shirt. He has the quiet confidence so alien to me that I want to spend time with him to see how that works.
I learned how to hike fast downhill today from Peaceful Warrior. He is like a gymnast on the trail. Something amazing to watch.
Today was my longest day on the trail. 14mi between shelters. Tomorrow I'll go slower. Only 10mi to a campground.
I thought that being out here, surviving the outdoors would help me build some confidence. so far, not so much.
There were so many mosquitoes today. Fucking ran through the woods. After about 4 hours of walking as fast as I could through the Fire-Swamp (there were no rodents of unusual size), I got to a road crossing where there were no mosquitoes. I was exhausted, tired, and sticky from sweat. I said out loud after admiring my elbows, where were the main mosquito attack zone was: "My arms itch."
I am not sure exactly what it was. Maybe my pathetic voice, or the blunt honesty of the statement, but I started cracking up. Suddenly feeling bad was past the point of misery, and transcended into hilarity.
So, I ate my lunch, watched a small family walk unprepared onto the swamp trail, then hiked 5.5 more miles to the shelter.
Friday, July 24, 2015
So much drama!
6pm @ Laural Ridge Campsite
mi 1508.1
Got a little time to kill. While scoping out the camp sites after rolling into the designated stopping point for the day, a big grey cloud blocked out the evening sun. Soon after the wind picked up. The russling leaves called out immediate rain fall.
As fast as I could, I found an open plot and set up my tent. The fastest pitch to date! Threw everything inside, ran to put all my food and cooking stuff in the bear box and returned to my test as the first drops fell. It is a light rain, and will not last more than an hour tops. Maybe only 20min.
Took a zero in Salisbury CT. Stayed at the amazing Marie McCabe's house.
I don't know what happened in that town, but by the end of my zero day, I was in full anxiety mode. I couldn't eat with out feeling nauseous. Not at any point during the planning or hiking so far had I experienced that level of insecurity.
My left and right hip-flexors were killing me. But I knew better than to submit to the fear or shame.
A lot of the anxiety was focused on the north bound thru hikers. They are covering massive miles each day. 15-25mi! Their packs look tiny & impossibly light. They can eat 4000 calories in a single meal.
On top of my never ending quest to belittle myself by comparing to others, my trail legs are slow to come. My hips hurt so bad I walked at a grandma pace for 4/5ths of the day. Up and down painful mountains.
But by some kind of elfin magic and being very careful, most of the pain was gone by the evening. As the pain left, so did most of the anxiety.
I am comfortable out here in the woods all day. If I never had to go to town I would be very happy.
On last thing. I mailed back home from Salisbury 2lbs 12oz worth of gear. Bringing my base weight down to 15-16 lbs. That was a nice motivator. I sent home two questionable things though.....my Patagonia capoline thermal top(12oz), and my emergency blanket(2.5oz)....might regret that.
Things I sent home:
- maps
- knife
- scissors
- rope
- 2/3s of the AWOL guide that I will not need to get to Maine.
- Extra socks
- Handkerchief
- etc
5 days of food weighs about 11lbs. Then 3liters of water weighs another 6lbs.
In total food and water weighs more than my base weight! I want to get to a point with my body where I can walk far enough to only need to carry 3 days of food.
Anyway. The rain has stopped. I want to sneak in dinner. (salami, wraps, & a cereal bar). I'll eat the tuna for breakfast after the pop tart (love camping).
mi 1508.1
Got a little time to kill. While scoping out the camp sites after rolling into the designated stopping point for the day, a big grey cloud blocked out the evening sun. Soon after the wind picked up. The russling leaves called out immediate rain fall.
As fast as I could, I found an open plot and set up my tent. The fastest pitch to date! Threw everything inside, ran to put all my food and cooking stuff in the bear box and returned to my test as the first drops fell. It is a light rain, and will not last more than an hour tops. Maybe only 20min.
Took a zero in Salisbury CT. Stayed at the amazing Marie McCabe's house.
I don't know what happened in that town, but by the end of my zero day, I was in full anxiety mode. I couldn't eat with out feeling nauseous. Not at any point during the planning or hiking so far had I experienced that level of insecurity.
My left and right hip-flexors were killing me. But I knew better than to submit to the fear or shame.
A lot of the anxiety was focused on the north bound thru hikers. They are covering massive miles each day. 15-25mi! Their packs look tiny & impossibly light. They can eat 4000 calories in a single meal.
On top of my never ending quest to belittle myself by comparing to others, my trail legs are slow to come. My hips hurt so bad I walked at a grandma pace for 4/5ths of the day. Up and down painful mountains.
But by some kind of elfin magic and being very careful, most of the pain was gone by the evening. As the pain left, so did most of the anxiety.
I am comfortable out here in the woods all day. If I never had to go to town I would be very happy.
On last thing. I mailed back home from Salisbury 2lbs 12oz worth of gear. Bringing my base weight down to 15-16 lbs. That was a nice motivator. I sent home two questionable things though.....my Patagonia capoline thermal top(12oz), and my emergency blanket(2.5oz)....might regret that.
Things I sent home:
- maps
- knife
- scissors
- rope
- 2/3s of the AWOL guide that I will not need to get to Maine.
- Extra socks
- Handkerchief
- etc
5 days of food weighs about 11lbs. Then 3liters of water weighs another 6lbs.
In total food and water weighs more than my base weight! I want to get to a point with my body where I can walk far enough to only need to carry 3 days of food.
Anyway. The rain has stopped. I want to sneak in dinner. (salami, wraps, & a cereal bar). I'll eat the tuna for breakfast after the pop tart (love camping).
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Kent aka "The Sage"
Salisbury CT
Completed the first 50 miles of the trip. Am currently resting at a hiker boarding house. Maria McCabe $35 / night. By chance even got my own room.
Stayed at a shelter last night. If you ever find yourself with a choice, never stay a one with "swamp" in the title.
Originally I wanted to araive here tomorrow, but I hoofed ht the extra 4 or 5 miles to town. Bad idea in retrospect. My knees and hips were sore by the evening. I'll pay for it tomorrow.....where I am taking a zero here in town. To rest my new hiking legs. Going to mail some things home also. Hope to drop a few pounds from the pack.
Tomorrow:
Kent, Maria's frind had some great hiking advice:
"Don't give any attention to how the others are hiking.
Hike till you want to rest.
Rest till you want to hike."
Pretty great huh?!
Wish I had stopped to speak with the positive old lady this afternoon.
Completed the first 50 miles of the trip. Am currently resting at a hiker boarding house. Maria McCabe $35 / night. By chance even got my own room.
Stayed at a shelter last night. If you ever find yourself with a choice, never stay a one with "swamp" in the title.
Originally I wanted to araive here tomorrow, but I hoofed ht the extra 4 or 5 miles to town. Bad idea in retrospect. My knees and hips were sore by the evening. I'll pay for it tomorrow.....where I am taking a zero here in town. To rest my new hiking legs. Going to mail some things home also. Hope to drop a few pounds from the pack.
Tomorrow:
Kent, Maria's frind had some great hiking advice:
"Don't give any attention to how the others are hiking.
Hike till you want to rest.
Rest till you want to hike."
Pretty great huh?!
Wish I had stopped to speak with the positive old lady this afternoon.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Don't eat next to your tent.
Been hanging out with a hiker called Winston. She has been showing me the ropes on what it takes to be a thru hiker. From how to hang a bear bag to reducing my pack weight and etiquette and protocols, She's been very kind to me and answering all my questions.
I feel like I am being nuisance, but every tip she gives me is rock solid and increases my chances out here.
This morning my back went out. Snap. Just like that. Had to spend 3 hours resting at the shelter in the morning, Just as well to be honest. I was pretty dehydrated yesterday. So I spent the morning resting. Then caught up with Winston in the afternoon were we climbed down some crazy "stairs". It was hard but rewarding. The past two days have been 90deg +. I really wanted to go further today, but remembered that I must take it easy still.
My evening routine go jacked up be some weekend kids who made a big mess and I had to move my tent. Don't even give two shits. I am happy to have spent all day in the glorious woods. Am exhausted now. I did not eat enough today. Too many people on the trail. Rest now. Tomorrow will be another day.
I feel like I am being nuisance, but every tip she gives me is rock solid and increases my chances out here.
This morning my back went out. Snap. Just like that. Had to spend 3 hours resting at the shelter in the morning, Just as well to be honest. I was pretty dehydrated yesterday. So I spent the morning resting. Then caught up with Winston in the afternoon were we climbed down some crazy "stairs". It was hard but rewarding. The past two days have been 90deg +. I really wanted to go further today, but remembered that I must take it easy still.
My evening routine go jacked up be some weekend kids who made a big mess and I had to move my tent. Don't even give two shits. I am happy to have spent all day in the glorious woods. Am exhausted now. I did not eat enough today. Too many people on the trail. Rest now. Tomorrow will be another day.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Hike slowly.
Pretty sleepy. Went 8.6 miles today. I find myself in a strange bubble of successful north bounders. They all have amazing stories of bears. Their experience & expertise shows. At the moment I am impressed by their feather lite gear and epic number of miles they can traverse in a day. 18-20 - 30 miles even!
I knew that these first weeks would be tough. Learning what can only be taught in the field.
Knowing that doesn't fully wipe free the shame of groaning while putting my 32lbs pack on. Or the gross amount of food I thought I needed. Or finding myself in tough situations. Like today, when it was 94 deg outside and I didn't clean enough water fast enough and found myself out of gas with 2+ miles till the next good source.
I am learning fast out here. Calculating miles. Understanding altitude gains, Knowing when to eat. Some things I know already. Like drying your gear as fast as possible after a storm.
The seasoned hikers have been great helping me get up and running faster that I would have on my own.
For instance, when I get to town in 3 days, I will be mailing home my thermals and anything else that has not been used in the past week.
Also I will get a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter and some light weight 'camp shoes'.
I want to get/make an ultralite alcohol stove pot thingy. Mine is okay, but it weighs fucking 6oz.
I want to get my pack down to be 22-27lbs max with food and water. I'll need to if I want to make bigger miles eventually. Now I must keep to my 8-12 mi range to build my trail legs and avoid injury.
As lady hiker could not stress that to me enough. I am young, and strong, but she saw many people fall out because of injury. Also, I am meeting seasoned backpackers with 1300+ miles under their belts. I need to fight the temptation to compete. The miles will come. So just enjoy the ride.
I knew that these first weeks would be tough. Learning what can only be taught in the field.
Knowing that doesn't fully wipe free the shame of groaning while putting my 32lbs pack on. Or the gross amount of food I thought I needed. Or finding myself in tough situations. Like today, when it was 94 deg outside and I didn't clean enough water fast enough and found myself out of gas with 2+ miles till the next good source.
I am learning fast out here. Calculating miles. Understanding altitude gains, Knowing when to eat. Some things I know already. Like drying your gear as fast as possible after a storm.
The seasoned hikers have been great helping me get up and running faster that I would have on my own.
For instance, when I get to town in 3 days, I will be mailing home my thermals and anything else that has not been used in the past week.
Also I will get a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter and some light weight 'camp shoes'.
I want to get/make an ultralite alcohol stove pot thingy. Mine is okay, but it weighs fucking 6oz.
I want to get my pack down to be 22-27lbs max with food and water. I'll need to if I want to make bigger miles eventually. Now I must keep to my 8-12 mi range to build my trail legs and avoid injury.
As lady hiker could not stress that to me enough. I am young, and strong, but she saw many people fall out because of injury. Also, I am meeting seasoned backpackers with 1300+ miles under their belts. I need to fight the temptation to compete. The miles will come. So just enjoy the ride.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
First day of living the dream:)
Crazy tired. First day on the trail was the definition of perfect. 80deg, slight wind. My pack is too heavy. Will send some things back home maybe. Also, 5 days was too much food.
I am in the little tarp tent now. I huge thunder storm has come to bid us all good night.
I wanted this to be insightful. Some inspirational prose to capture the first day on the trail. Interestingly, the time flew by. One moment I was saying good bye to my father on the side of the road, 7 fast hours later, boom. It was night time. Had to make dinner & set the sleeping arrangements.
I am meeting some of the faster north bounders. These people are flying up the trail. They are moving so fast 20-30mi / day. I was grateful to have completed my 10mi.
I don't know what I am doing out here. I just wanted some time off work. I don't fit in with anyone I have met yet. Tomorrow might be my first day hiking in the rain. Very exciting. Georgia feels impossibly far away at the moment. How am I going to complete the hike in December? I know that other people do it. But can I? Am I smart enough? Strong enough? Have the mental fortitude? God willing I'll get some sleep tonight. The sound of rain and thunder make for a fantastic lullaby.
I am in the little tarp tent now. I huge thunder storm has come to bid us all good night.
I wanted this to be insightful. Some inspirational prose to capture the first day on the trail. Interestingly, the time flew by. One moment I was saying good bye to my father on the side of the road, 7 fast hours later, boom. It was night time. Had to make dinner & set the sleeping arrangements.
I am meeting some of the faster north bounders. These people are flying up the trail. They are moving so fast 20-30mi / day. I was grateful to have completed my 10mi.
I don't know what I am doing out here. I just wanted some time off work. I don't fit in with anyone I have met yet. Tomorrow might be my first day hiking in the rain. Very exciting. Georgia feels impossibly far away at the moment. How am I going to complete the hike in December? I know that other people do it. But can I? Am I smart enough? Strong enough? Have the mental fortitude? God willing I'll get some sleep tonight. The sound of rain and thunder make for a fantastic lullaby.
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