Vermont! And the hiking terrain is getting easier!
Journal July 20, 2009 Trail Day 41 (AT Mile 441.9 - 447.7
Vermont! And the hiking terrain is getting easier!
Journal July 19, 2009 (Sunday) Trail Day 40 (AT Mile430.9 - 441.9)
Today I passed the 20% mark of the trail. Buffalo and I celebrated by hiking some more - into Hanover which leads to my next big milestone - tomorrow I'll be in Vermont! The terrain has started to flatten out so "big miles" are expected.
Not much else has been going on with the trail. Yesterday I got in a stream, and washed my clothes, body, and toes! I should have taken a picture of my clean toes! Speaking of feet, my shoes aren't working out, so I'm off looking for a new pair here in town - D'OH! I see money circling the drain. Time to tighten the belt around the wallet, but shoes are most important.
I know two more people who have gotten off the trail because of injuries. Pirate got off because of a stress fracture in his foot, and a guy named "Smokey" got off today because of knee problems since Maine. I was really sorry to hear about Pirate. He kept me going sometimes when we were hiking together.
So far, here are the people I know who have dropped out: Kentucky Fried & his friend, +1, Alobar, Clown-shoes, Professor dropped, but is now back on the trail, Pirate, Smokey. There are probably more that I have met and don't know about. As tough as it is to see friends leave, I just have to worry about myself and keep going.
Well, that's about it for now, hope I don't go broke before my next journal entry (joking, kinda')
Zombie
Not much else has been going on with the trail. Yesterday I got in a stream, and washed my clothes, body, and toes! I should have taken a picture of my clean toes! Speaking of feet, my shoes aren't working out, so I'm off looking for a new pair here in town - D'OH! I see money circling the drain. Time to tighten the belt around the wallet, but shoes are most important.
I know two more people who have gotten off the trail because of injuries. Pirate got off because of a stress fracture in his foot, and a guy named "Smokey" got off today because of knee problems since Maine. I was really sorry to hear about Pirate. He kept me going sometimes when we were hiking together.
So far, here are the people I know who have dropped out: Kentucky Fried & his friend, +1, Alobar, Clown-shoes, Professor dropped, but is now back on the trail, Pirate, Smokey. There are probably more that I have met and don't know about. As tough as it is to see friends leave, I just have to worry about myself and keep going.
Well, that's about it for now, hope I don't go broke before my next journal entry (joking, kinda')
Zombie
Journal July 16, 2009 (Thurs.) Trail Days 32 - 37 (AT Mile 337.8 - 397.4)
On Monday evening (the 13th) I made it to Chet's, which is a Hostel run by a guy named Chet (go figure). He lets people stay for either a donation, work-for-stay, or barter, what ever you think is fair. Chet is an amazing guy. In 2001 he was preparing for his Thru-Hike, when his camp stove exploded. He suffered burns on 45% of his body, including damage to his mouth, throat, and lungs due to inhaling the flames. He had no insurance and spent 8 months in a drug-induced coma while recovering from the burns. During his coma, he went thru multiple organ failures, but recovered from each one. The doctors gave him almost 0% chance of survival. After he came out of his coma (because the pain was so great) he had severe muscular atrophy. He had to relearn how to do everything from nod his head to eat with his hands. He still does not have full use of his legs. However, he still wants to be part of the hiker community, so he opened a Hostel.
Chet was such a great guy, that I decided to take an extra day off and hang around Lincoln. I got to see a movie in the theater. Brunch, Buffalo and I saw The Transformers with two other SoBos we had met at Chet's, "Happy Feet" and "Navajo". When it came time to leave Lincoln, Buffalo and I headed out, while Brunch stayed behind due to sores on his feet from grit rubbing away his skin.
Today marks "A Big Event!" I finished the White Mountains!!! I can't believe it! In 3 or 4 days I will be out of New Hampshire, and done with 2 of the hardest states! I hiked from the Mahoosuc Mountains in Maine to the Moosilauke (or Mt. Moosaholic as Buffalo calls it) in 12 days. All the while, the weather was almost always nice! What a treat it has been to hike this last section! "The Whites" will always have a place in my heart because of all the wonderful views and hiking that I had. It was truly a gift that many people do not get to have. I also went above the tree line for the last time on the trail. It is kind of sad, but from now on, views will be rare and found only in the gaps between the trees, on rocky outcrops, or atop the mountain balds.
So long, Whites!
Hello Green Mountains!
Zombie
Chet was such a great guy, that I decided to take an extra day off and hang around Lincoln. I got to see a movie in the theater. Brunch, Buffalo and I saw The Transformers with two other SoBos we had met at Chet's, "Happy Feet" and "Navajo". When it came time to leave Lincoln, Buffalo and I headed out, while Brunch stayed behind due to sores on his feet from grit rubbing away his skin.
Today marks "A Big Event!" I finished the White Mountains!!! I can't believe it! In 3 or 4 days I will be out of New Hampshire, and done with 2 of the hardest states! I hiked from the Mahoosuc Mountains in Maine to the Moosilauke (or Mt. Moosaholic as Buffalo calls it) in 12 days. All the while, the weather was almost always nice! What a treat it has been to hike this last section! "The Whites" will always have a place in my heart because of all the wonderful views and hiking that I had. It was truly a gift that many people do not get to have. I also went above the tree line for the last time on the trail. It is kind of sad, but from now on, views will be rare and found only in the gaps between the trees, on rocky outcrops, or atop the mountain balds.
So long, Whites!
Hello Green Mountains!
Zombie
July 10, 2009 (Friday) Trail Day 31 (AT Mile 326.8 - 337.8)
Well today was THE absolute PERFECT hiking DAY!!! Not only was the weather amazing (it was in the 70's with a slight breeze and sunny) but the terrain was also pretty easy. I climbed the summit of Mt. Washington today, and I'll tell you what, it was worth the month of rain and rare views. I don't know how to describe it!!! Using words would not do it justice.
God has truly blessed me on this journey and I keep getting signs that this is where I am suppose to be. AND that He is watching over me every step of the way! I sstayed at Mizpha Hut tonight and got "Work for Stay" which was nice because I spent too much money at the Mt. Washington Summit House.
Buffalo and Brunch stayed here too. We didn't have any North Bounders pass by us today.
I think the Sun zapped my energy so I think I will head to bed.
Good night!
Zombie
Journal July 4 - 9, 2009 Trail Days 25 - 30 (AT MILES 264.5 - 326.9)
So it has been a while... Sorry about that. Long days and busy town stops. I'll try to catch up as much as possible... Mom may have filled you in some from the times I called home, but I still want to journal my own accounts...
July 4: Brunch and I did the Mahoosuc Notch on one of the coldest days yet. Why is this journal worthy? The Mahoosuc Notch is "THE TOUGHEST MILE" on the entire Appalachian Trail. It is one mile of crawling, climbing, squirming, sliding and anything other than hiking. There are boulders the size of houses (or bigger!!!) and I did it in an amazing 2.5 hours!!! We saw ICE! Got rained on and froze the whole way! It would have been a lot of fun if it were better weather. I only got a few pictures because of the rain. On the positive side, I saw a moose! Unfortunately, it was dead. About 3 years ago, a moose got stuck in the Notch and broke it's leg or neck or something and couldn't get out, so it died. There were only a few bones that remained.
July 5: Woke up to the coldest, windiest, wettest day yet. All my hiking clothes were wet from doing "The Notch" and that was a bad way to start the day. When Brunch and I were going over Goose Eye Mountain in the morning, it was in the low 40's with wind blowing 30-40 mph. Then we crossed into NEW HAMPSHIRE!! Where more rain and fog awaited for about 4-5 miles. At last, the sun came out and the sky cleared up and life was good!!! To which I then saw my second dead moose! in two days! This one was slightly fresher and there were more bones left in tact. (Yes, I did take pictures of my two moose sightings... even tho they were just carcases that remained to be seen.) The day finished up with some good views of the White Mountains and Gorham, NH. I camped out and for the frist time this trip, enjoyed it! I saw the moon for the second or third time, and enjoyed seeing the stars. It was a much needed morale boost!!!
July 6: Got into Gorham, NH and stayed at "The Barn". Brunch and I decided to celebrate in town for finishing our first state. (Only 13 to go!)
July 7: Took a Zero Day for the first time since Monson.
July 8: Decided to SlackPack the Wildcats/ Carter/ Moriah Mountains North Bound. Brunch and I hiked with an older guy (73 I think) who Thru-Hiked in 1976. He was doing it again, and again. His name was Watchman. All 3 of us hiked from Pinkham Notch to US2 and did 21 hard miles. I was glad I did it because it knocked off a day. We also moved over to The White B irches Hostel because the lady at The Barn was not friendly. The White Birches was $7 less and had more services.
July 9: Headed to Pinkham Notch to start hiking in the right direction again. I climbed the first Presidential Mountain, Mt. Madison. The weather today was PERFECT! Cool, clear, sunny...PERFECT!!! Mt. Madison had some great views and I got a preview of Mt. Washington. Tomorrow is suppose to be even better! I stayed at my first hut and it was cool.
We'll see if the other huts have staff this nice. Well, you're all caught up. Let's hope for a good summit up Mt. Washington tomorrow. I had my first sunset of the trip tonight! Nice!!!
Good night all,
Zombie
Journal July 3, 2009 (Friday) Trail Day 24 (AT Mile 250.5 - 264.5)
What a day! It started out with me in a bad mood and seriously considering quiting. Last night it rained so hard, I kept waking up and Pirate didn't sleep at all. He seriously read all night! The rain was crazy! Then when I got out of bed, I didn't want to put on all my wet, gritty, stuff - again - for the who knows how many times in a row. I got a late start (9:30 a.m.) and had 14 miles to go. Once I got moving, I started to feel a little better, but I really missed talking to "Ground Support". Last time we talked it was rushed, not long enough, and it was a while ago.
So I started praying and talking myself through it, determined I wasn't going to let the stupid weather be the factor that ended my hike before I even finished the first state. -granted, Maine has almost 300 miles of trail on the AT (all of it water and mud logged). The weather has been so depressing and discouraging. I don't expect sunshine and fluffy clouds the whole time, but I also didn't think it was going to rain or be cold and overcast 22 out of 24 days. This is Maine's wettest June ever recorded. Ha! Just my luck.
So back to today. Well, the sun did peek out from the clouds, and I got excited because I was trying to go up and over Baldpate Mtn. today, and it was supposedly really slabby on the South side, which translates to really slippery. At 2:00 p.m.ish I was taking a lunch break at the worst stream crossing ever (who puts a stream crossing 20 feet up stream of a waterfall?!?) Once again, it started to rain! Ahhhhhh, come back sunny, blue sky! Also, thunder may or may not have been heard... anyway, I became determined to not let the Maine weather set me back AGAIN and started booking it up the mountain. I had a 4-mile up hill to the first shelter and then another 3.5 miles up a steep mountain, over a peak, down and up another peak and then a super steep decent to the shelter before I would call it a day. So I decided to at least stop at the first lean-to and see what the weather might do. When I got there it was sunny, blue sky and very, very distant thunder. It was only 4 p.m. so I decided to go for it! I met some people coming down who said the weather didn't look too bad up top, and I could probably make it. Off I went with purpose. When I got above the tree line, I looked around for a last chance decision 'to go for Big' or turn around and go back to the first lean-to.
The thunder was coming from several miles away, and it was moving parallel to me, but away from me (follow?). Off I went to the first peak! Then the clouds rolled in. Not loud, thunderey clouds, but not light, fluffy dream clouds either. I was stuck. It was too far to turn around and I couldn't tell what was up and over the second peak. The only real option I had was to keep pushing and find nearby shelter (a loose interpretation of the word when the trees are only 5-6 feet tall)as I hiked on. I also prayed a lot for the second time today, because the cairns were hard to follow (the rock piles marking the trail) and I had no time to waste time trying to find the trail. Then there was this whole lightning thing...
From the first peak to the second peak was only 0.9 mile and then 0.6 mile after that to the shelter. Once I finally got to the second peak, I still had a steep decent. Keep in mind, it is now thundering and lightening around me, in the distance, but getting closer and darker! (darker from the clouds) and I have done about 6.5 miles up and down mountains with out a break or a snack - I did eat a Twix bar on the run between the two peaks, but not much of a lunch or restful break. I wasn't sure if I was out of the woods yet (or in the woods as one would prefer to be in a lightning storm.) As far as the storm was concerned, when I got to the crazy steep downhill, I was so relieved because now I had something taller than me, but I still wanted to beat the storm. Half way down, I saw it.... FLASH one. two. three. four. five. BOOMOOOOMOOOM! One mile away. More distant thunder and then the woods got dark! I mean, DARK!!! Like I almost needed my headlamp, to see, dark. "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!!! Get me to the shelter PLEASE!" After 10 minutes or so I see it again. FLASH! one. two. three. four. five. six. seven. eight. nine. BOOMOOMOOM! Two miles away. Better! But still too close. Now the woods get ever darker!
Finally, after five more minutes of jumping over rocks and roots and trying to work my way down the slick (water was still running down it from last night) steep slope, I see the sign for the shelter. Point two miles!! Small rain drops fall. I start to run, I mean sprint with a 30-pound pack over roots, rocks and streams with low light. I ran as fast and as long as I could (which put me about 100 yards from the shelter when I stopped to catch my breath.) I went as fast as I could the rest of the way. Then I see it... The Lean-to!!! I jogged into the lean-to and find Brunch and two other people. The the Heavens OPEN UP! I mean it starts to pour rain with loud thunder and humongous bolts of lightening less than 30 seconds after I get under the roof. Talk about God answering prayers!!! Wow! I got lucky today and I found out I have more than one Guardian Angel watching over me! (Thank you, Lord!)
Relax now, It's over. Nobody got hurt or wet.
So... How was your 4th of July Holiday weekend?
Zombie
So I started praying and talking myself through it, determined I wasn't going to let the stupid weather be the factor that ended my hike before I even finished the first state. -granted, Maine has almost 300 miles of trail on the AT (all of it water and mud logged). The weather has been so depressing and discouraging. I don't expect sunshine and fluffy clouds the whole time, but I also didn't think it was going to rain or be cold and overcast 22 out of 24 days. This is Maine's wettest June ever recorded. Ha! Just my luck.
So back to today. Well, the sun did peek out from the clouds, and I got excited because I was trying to go up and over Baldpate Mtn. today, and it was supposedly really slabby on the South side, which translates to really slippery. At 2:00 p.m.ish I was taking a lunch break at the worst stream crossing ever (who puts a stream crossing 20 feet up stream of a waterfall?!?) Once again, it started to rain! Ahhhhhh, come back sunny, blue sky! Also, thunder may or may not have been heard... anyway, I became determined to not let the Maine weather set me back AGAIN and started booking it up the mountain. I had a 4-mile up hill to the first shelter and then another 3.5 miles up a steep mountain, over a peak, down and up another peak and then a super steep decent to the shelter before I would call it a day. So I decided to at least stop at the first lean-to and see what the weather might do. When I got there it was sunny, blue sky and very, very distant thunder. It was only 4 p.m. so I decided to go for it! I met some people coming down who said the weather didn't look too bad up top, and I could probably make it. Off I went with purpose. When I got above the tree line, I looked around for a last chance decision 'to go for Big' or turn around and go back to the first lean-to.
The thunder was coming from several miles away, and it was moving parallel to me, but away from me (follow?). Off I went to the first peak! Then the clouds rolled in. Not loud, thunderey clouds, but not light, fluffy dream clouds either. I was stuck. It was too far to turn around and I couldn't tell what was up and over the second peak. The only real option I had was to keep pushing and find nearby shelter (a loose interpretation of the word when the trees are only 5-6 feet tall)as I hiked on. I also prayed a lot for the second time today, because the cairns were hard to follow (the rock piles marking the trail) and I had no time to waste time trying to find the trail. Then there was this whole lightning thing...
From the first peak to the second peak was only 0.9 mile and then 0.6 mile after that to the shelter. Once I finally got to the second peak, I still had a steep decent. Keep in mind, it is now thundering and lightening around me, in the distance, but getting closer and darker! (darker from the clouds) and I have done about 6.5 miles up and down mountains with out a break or a snack - I did eat a Twix bar on the run between the two peaks, but not much of a lunch or restful break. I wasn't sure if I was out of the woods yet (or in the woods as one would prefer to be in a lightning storm.) As far as the storm was concerned, when I got to the crazy steep downhill, I was so relieved because now I had something taller than me, but I still wanted to beat the storm. Half way down, I saw it.... FLASH one. two. three. four. five. BOOMOOOOMOOOM! One mile away. More distant thunder and then the woods got dark! I mean, DARK!!! Like I almost needed my headlamp, to see, dark. "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!!! Get me to the shelter PLEASE!" After 10 minutes or so I see it again. FLASH! one. two. three. four. five. six. seven. eight. nine. BOOMOOMOOM! Two miles away. Better! But still too close. Now the woods get ever darker!
Finally, after five more minutes of jumping over rocks and roots and trying to work my way down the slick (water was still running down it from last night) steep slope, I see the sign for the shelter. Point two miles!! Small rain drops fall. I start to run, I mean sprint with a 30-pound pack over roots, rocks and streams with low light. I ran as fast and as long as I could (which put me about 100 yards from the shelter when I stopped to catch my breath.) I went as fast as I could the rest of the way. Then I see it... The Lean-to!!! I jogged into the lean-to and find Brunch and two other people. The the Heavens OPEN UP! I mean it starts to pour rain with loud thunder and humongous bolts of lightening less than 30 seconds after I get under the roof. Talk about God answering prayers!!! Wow! I got lucky today and I found out I have more than one Guardian Angel watching over me! (Thank you, Lord!)
Relax now, It's over. Nobody got hurt or wet.
So... How was your 4th of July Holiday weekend?
Zombie
Journal July 2, 2009 (Thurs.) Trail Day 23 (AT Mile 247.1 - 250.5)
It seems as I have been hitting towns like it's my job. It is too much; going into towns kills the desire to hike and it keeps you from getting into a good hiking pattern. First, there was the extra night in Stratton, then a short hpe to Rangeley (got in on the 4th day out of Stratton), then today, Brunch and I went into Andover for mail and resupply to get us to Gorham, NH. After Gorham, I'm not going into a town until I've done 70 - 100 miles. Besides, towns cost money and are filled with "To-Do Lists".
For example:
Hiking Day To Do List
Town To Do List
See what I mean? Hiking is my job and towns are the chores done on the week-end. I don't know why people hike the AT to escape real life - I'm out here so I don't have to pay taxes... J K!
The government will still find a way to tax the homeless and unemployed folks (as a minimum, there is sales tax anyway)
The rain is still coming, but we're almost out of Maine, 30 miles to go baby! I found a good quote in the register here @ Hall Mt. Lean-to. "I wish I had an intertube, it would make the trail go by a whole lot faster. - Lost Rob" It is so true at this point, but New Hampshire is going through the same (weather) stuff apparently.
I met a NoBo in Rangeley named "Easy Going". He was the nicest NoBo yet. He is only carrying 10-20 lbs. TOTAL! That includes food & water! Crazy! But he really earned his name. A lot of North bounders so far, have been pretty stuck-up on themselves and are kinda - or just down right - rude to SoBo's when we talk about the trail. We get it...you've been doing this for longer, get over yourself! But Easy Going ws cool, and let us talk about trail conditions without belittling us.
Yesterday I came up with two great ideas: 1) Create a hiker's cookbook with nutrition information in it and 2) Kelly's trail name is "Ground Support". (I know Mom has done a lot too, so her trail name can be "Mom".) Because Kelly has done soooo much to help out and I decided she needed a trail name because it is almost like she is here. (Just without the pretty face, good laughs, and constant companionship.) The Cookbook's name? Zombie & Ground Support's Thru-Hike CookBook.
I like the sound of "Zombie & Ground Support". So I hope Kelly likes it, 'cause she's stuck with it.
Well enough for one night,
Zombie
P.S. I'm past 3 weeks, and am starting to feel in hiker shape!
For example:
Hiking Day To Do List
- Hike
- Eat
- Get to the Shelter
- Sleep
Town To Do List
- Get to Hostel
- Buy Food
- Check Mail
- Get Cash
- Laundry
- Forward Bump Box
- Find Places to eat
- Pay for everything
- E-mail / call people
- no hiking
See what I mean? Hiking is my job and towns are the chores done on the week-end. I don't know why people hike the AT to escape real life - I'm out here so I don't have to pay taxes... J K!
The government will still find a way to tax the homeless and unemployed folks (as a minimum, there is sales tax anyway)
The rain is still coming, but we're almost out of Maine, 30 miles to go baby! I found a good quote in the register here @ Hall Mt. Lean-to. "I wish I had an intertube, it would make the trail go by a whole lot faster. - Lost Rob" It is so true at this point, but New Hampshire is going through the same (weather) stuff apparently.
I met a NoBo in Rangeley named "Easy Going". He was the nicest NoBo yet. He is only carrying 10-20 lbs. TOTAL! That includes food & water! Crazy! But he really earned his name. A lot of North bounders so far, have been pretty stuck-up on themselves and are kinda - or just down right - rude to SoBo's when we talk about the trail. We get it...you've been doing this for longer, get over yourself! But Easy Going ws cool, and let us talk about trail conditions without belittling us.
Yesterday I came up with two great ideas: 1) Create a hiker's cookbook with nutrition information in it and 2) Kelly's trail name is "Ground Support". (I know Mom has done a lot too, so her trail name can be "Mom".) Because Kelly has done soooo much to help out and I decided she needed a trail name because it is almost like she is here. (Just without the pretty face, good laughs, and constant companionship.) The Cookbook's name? Zombie & Ground Support's Thru-Hike CookBook.
I like the sound of "Zombie & Ground Support". So I hope Kelly likes it, 'cause she's stuck with it.
Well enough for one night,
Zombie
P.S. I'm past 3 weeks, and am starting to feel in hiker shape!
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