Kaleidoscope

August 5th

Today I will pass into Connecticut and say goodbye to Massachusetts.  It should be my only night in Connecticut, since there are only 52 miles of trail there.

I feel mentally refreshed after a wonderful visit from my mother.  She had spent a whole day making plans for our time together and they quickly got destroyed after the airline lost her luggage and I got sick.  I would say everything worked out much better than we could have planned.  We did much less hiking than was planned and I was grateful. I needed a break.  We took some time to drive to Rhode Island since neither of us had ever been.  The next day we visited some covered bridges and hiked six miles of the trail over a mountain and had dinner at the local brewery.  The last day we walked around Great Barrington, MA and enjoyed a nice lunch before we went our separate ways.

I can't thank my mother enough.  She continues to be my biggest supporter and fan.  Thank you Mom!!!!

Now that I feel mentally and physically rejuvenated, back to hiking.  I plan on averaging big miles if I can stay focused.  I just saw that Sunday Ticket is free this year on Direct TV.  The Broncos are going to be playing for a Super Bowl.  I need to see it unfold...

Stealth

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope – a slight change, and all patterns alter.  -Sharon Salzberg

500

July 21st

Just finished my 500th mile!

Rise

July 20th

I woke up very cold this morning because I sent all my cold weather gear home.  The temperature was in the upper 50's but I was uncomfortably cold.  I knew today was the opening of the Batman movie so Gaga, Little Wing, Rocketman, and I got up early to go to Rutland, VT to see it.

In town, I went to EMS and picked up an emergency blanket and a bite valve cover for my Camelbak(I got sick of drinking dirt).  We all hit up the Taco Bell before the movie.  Once at the theater we saw four other Sobos(Excell, Lorax, Chef, & Avacado) going to the same movie.

The movie was disappointing... 

Wal-Mart was next to the theater so I picked up some drink mix, Snickers, and a five by eight piece of fleece to stay warm.  The fleece was four dollars and I made a poncho/snuggie out of it.  It's awesome.

I stopped by Subway then got a hitch back to trail and did a few miles before bed time.  Great day!!!

-Stealth

Circle Dance

July 15th

This morning I met some of the hippies from Dancing Bones.  One certifiably crazy old lady gave us some apple sausage pizza. Then we all had to hold hands and do a circle dance.  She doesn't like line dancing, it separates the energy and she funds it very abrasive.  I couldn't help but laugh out loud.  She was planning a teddy bear picnic today for the children in the community.

Gaga, Little Wing, and I are hiking together today.  We hitched to a general store from the first road to get snacks, ice cream, and soda.

-Stealth

We finished our miles quickly after getting a hitch back. I hammocked in the shelter for the first time.

Dancing Bones

July 14th

I finally caught up to my friends who are already asleep here at the Dancing Bones Community.  I had a tough day...   I got so dehydrated I stopped sweating for the last couple hours and had cold chills walking up hill.  I couldn't drink enough water to make up for the amount I was sweating.  To make matters worse I wasn't hungry last night so I skipped dinner and it killed my energy.

I climbed Mt. Moosilauke today it was rather disappointing for a 4800 foot mountain.  There were atleast twenty tourists at the peak and visibility was terrible due to hazy air.  I think I am done with big climbs until the Smokies.  That is bittersweet for sure but more bitter than sweet.

I made a bacon parmesan Knorr side with bacon pieces and cream from the community fridge, it is delicious for trail food.  I hope they don't mind that I used the cream or that helped myself to some sweet tea.

On that note the things I think about most on trail:

1. Beautiful women
2. Ice cold sweet tea and Mountain Dew
3. Good pulled pork bbq
4. Creamy coleslaw
5. Cold beer (IPA)
6. Showers

Thanks to Dancing Bones I got 2 & 6 tonight!!!  And I cooked on a real stove in the outdoor kitchen.

Gaga, Little Wing, and I have a short day planned tomorrow and it us supposed to thunderstorm in the afternoon.  Hopefully I will get up early and knockout the miles so I can sit in the shelter and watch!

Love you all.

-Stealth

Friday the 13th

July 13

I zeroed at Chet's in Lincoln yesterday.  I went swimming with some fellow hikers at a condo complex down the street.  I ate four big meals including biscuits and homemade sausage gravy prepared by Gaga.

Today I was going to get up early and do nineteen miles to meet up with Gaga and Little Wing tomorrow morning.  They are slackpacking which means they take only food and water and hike a big day Northbound.  I figured out I'm a purist so I won't slack.  I came out here to backpack the trail and I'm sticking to it.  I may not get my miles in with my late start but I'll catch them tomorrow.

I have some big climbs today and they are all in the shade which will be nice because it is rather warm here.  I will be over 400 miles by the end of tomorrow. I will be out of the mountains and New Hampshire in a week.

There are computers for hikers to use at Dartmouth and I will try to get some videos and pictures uploaded.

Enjoy your weekend everyone, I know I will.

-Stealth

The Whites

July 10

Sorry I haven't been writing. I'm in the White Mountains now.  I climbed Washington yesterday and Madison the day before.  Today I hiked 21 miles, my new record, in the Whites to put some icing on the cake.  I delivered some mail from hut to hut so I am getting work for stay  which is awesome.  For a little work, which is normally dish washing or talking about thru hiking to the day hikers, I get to gorge on their leftovers and a spot to sleep on the floor.  The food is the business!!! The day hikers stay up late so you end up losing sleep. 

Mt. Washington is awesome besides all the tourists.  I climbed in enviable weather, clear skies, with temps on the summit in the 40s and wind speeds around 60 mph. 

I'm still having fun everyday and loving the trip.  I have worn out a pair of shoes and socks.  Hanover, NH is less than a week out and there is an EMS in town to get fresh foot covers.  Treksta owes me a pair of shoes but that is an ongoing nightmare.  They will not be getting anymore of my business.

It is great to have a watch! Thank you father!!!

-Stealth

What time is it?

June 21st

I got up late today and went to go get some water.  The only nearby water source was lousy so I bleach treated it.  I decided I would get ahold of Treksta because my shoes are falling apart.  After several calls I have up and decided to email them.  I was really tired so I decided to lay back down for a bit.

When I woke up it was after 1:00.  I went ahead and are lunch as I packed up camp. I ended up doing a short day which was good because I had pushed pretty hard getting into town.

I met some guys at the camp and we are planning on doing 17 miles tomorrow with some big elevation.  It will be the most challenging day so far.

I keep forgetting to mention that the squirrels here are miniature. 

They say the Appalachian Trail is a footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness.  In Maine, the trail is a brutal obstacle course for those who like to punish themselves and see toads, garter snakes, and rodents.

Today I saw something that was rather disappointing.  At one mountain top there were trees sawed down just to create a view.  The views are to be earned, not given at the expense of the trees.

At the same viewpoint the dastardly dumper struck once more!  From what I have been hearing there is a lady that is to good for the privies so she just poops next the trail out in the middle of camp and leaves everything there.  No cat hole, no 15 paces into the woods, and not even a leaf on top.  I have seen this four times and heard reports of more.  Those of us here hiking the trail should have way more respect than that.  One bad apple...

~ Stealth

Big climbs and big eats

June 20th

Last night I was told it was supposed to be near 90 degrees today. So, I actually got up with the sun for the first time in a few days.  I knew I was running low on food and that if I pushed hard I could make Stratton.

The morning climbs were tough.  I hiked for over four hours on a pack of poptarts and a Larabar.  600 calories of food and 4000+ calories of work. That sounds like federal budget math the numbers are so far off.

The first climb to the peak of Little Bigelowe Mountain went quick and the view was spectacular.  Towering into the clouds was the next climb, Avery Peak on Bigelowe Mountain.  Avery was the first peak on Bigelowe I would summit but only the second highest, with lots of exposed ridge line in between.  This would be the first exposed ridge line Southbound on the AT. However, the  decking but for me since I hiked the Knife's Edge at Katahdin.

After Little Bigelowe I had to descend into a gap before climbing Avery.  Boulders ten times the size of a car partially covered cracks in mountain where cold air leaked up onto the trail.  It was like nature's air  conditioning cooling me off before the big climb. It was refreshing but temporary.  The climb to Avery Peak was steep and relentless.  I was running out energy so I stopped for a quick break when I saw toad resting on a boulder.  He was directly having me right above a white blaze.  A prefect picture opportunity, if only the battery were not dead. I turned on my phone and got the best picture I could before he spooked.

I started climbing again, sweat was saturating my hair and running down my face but I could see the peak through the trees.  When I finally got above treeline I turned around and had the most wonderful view.  The breeze picked up and cooled me and started laughing.  I always seem to laugh.  Suddenly I had more energy than I had all day and I made it to the peak in no time.

I could seemingly see forever.  I noticed a mountain with ski trails down it and figured it was Sugarloaf (it was).  There were mountains all around and lakes scattered about with their familiar mirror like sheen. 

I stopped and ate my lunch on the peak while I soaked in the view.  I went to make some drink mix so I pulled the bite valve off of my camel back and let the bladder drain.  I had only eight ounces of water left.

I had two more peaks before I would see water.  I carried on at a slower pace across the other peaks. I stopped for pictures on each and enjoyed the ridge hiking. 

Once I began descending I realized I could make the remainder of the sixteen miles to the highest into Stratton.  I filled up with water and started zooming down the mountain.

I made it to the highway and quickly got a hitch.  My first ever hitch hiking experience.  The guy was nice and talked about how it hit 90 today and how he hits his limit everytime fishing at the lake that sits just below my last peak.

I plugged my phone in outside the market and went in to get goodies for the next five days: bagels, PB, a block of cheddar, tuna, sardines, peanut M&Ms, mint chocolate cookies, Spiderman Poptarts, pasta sides, ramen noodles, cosmic brownies, and Cliff Bars.  I also picked up food to eat today: 1.5 quarts of ice cream, three cold drinks, 12 ounces of smoked sausage, a half pound of BBQ chicken tenders, broccoli and cauliflower, a grapefruit, and a black raspberry whoopie pie.  I ate the ice cream in ten minutes and then finished the chicken.  I had intended to eat some pizza across the street but I would have had to order it so I passed. 

With 3000 calories of ice cream, chicken, and drink in me I began to feel queasy.  It felt like a heavyweight fight in my gut, so rested until my phone was charged most of the way.  I left at 7:30 and again found a hitch quickly.

This time I was in the back of a truck with two wet black labs shaking water all over me.  I didn't mind as they were fresh from a bath and smelled tremendously better than me.

I wanted to eat the rest of my dinner after I picked a stealth camping spot on the side of the trail (the first real camp is 8 miles in up mountain).  However, I could only eat some if my veggies.  The rest will be breakfast tomorrow so I actually have energy on my big climb.

At some point I had realized I crossed the imaginary line were there are only 2000 miles left.  I will be 10 percent complete in two days.  The real challenge of the trail lies in the next 100 miles.  All of the Nobos have agreed that is the must difficult part of the entire trail. 

One day at a time, one step at a time.

~ Stealth

Mini Milestones

Under 2000 miles to go and will be 10% complete by the end of the week.

Summer Solstice

And more importantly... Hike Naked Day

Feelin' Good

June 19th

I've been slacking... I got up at 8:30 and had planned on doing 17.5 miles.  I woke up without any pain and felt great.  I quickly ate my poptarts and brushed my teeth as I packed up camp. 

I found my stride and the trail was smoother today so I was cruising. The trail was rather unremarkable today.  Not that it was boring just nothing noteworthy besides a really nice bridge over a bog. 

I passed a fairly famous person today in hiker terms.  Yogi, the author of a Pacific Crest Trail guidebook.  The Nobos last night told me I would pass her, otherwise I would have had no idea.  I didn't stop to talk because I was in the zone.

I stopped for lunch ten miles in and ate quickly.  Once hiking again I passed an unofficial 2000 mile mark for Nobos. I think it was closer to 2020 because I don't under 2000 to go until tomorrow.

Tomorrow I am going to get as close Stratton as possible. Then Thursday I will be able to get in to town early to resupply and recharge my battery pack.

The trail between here and Stratton is over two mountains and features some exposed ridge line.  It should be beautiful and challenging so I'm looking forward to it.

Finally feeling good, feels great!!!

-Stealth

Sausage Fest

June 18th

I planned to wake up early this morning as I had to be at the Kennebec River crossing before 11:00 AM.  I wanted to leave at 6:30 but I didn't get out of my hammock until 7:20. I quickly packed up camp and hustled down the trail to complete the 6 miles so I could cross the river. I was wincing with every step from my knee pain but I made it at 10:20 and it turns out 10:30 is the cutoff time. The canoe ferry is the official route if the AT because the river is seven feet deep in places and the two hydroelectric dams upstream can release water and make it rise quickly.

I are lunch on the other side and then decided to hike only four more miles to Peirce Pond. It was a great decision. A crew called the Dirty Southbounders showed up and fed everyone with cookies, fried chicken, loads of kielbasa, cheese, and hotdogs.  I ate near a pound of sausage.  They had just planned to pay forward some trail magic but then it turned it to a little memorial celebration.  As we all learned today (some knew yesterday) a Nobo (Northbound) hiker drowned while swimming at this lake Friday evening.  The hiker known as Parkside, had hiked twenty miles and decided to go for a swim to cool off as his buddies sat in the lean-to that rests at the water's edge.  Parkside swam to the middle of the lake and it is believed he cramped up.  He yelled for help but his friends couldn't reach him in time.

I did swim here today to clean off.  I was in water over my head only five feet offshore.  I stayed close because the canoe guide had said there are cold springs in the lake that probably caused some of the cramping. 

I had oatmeal for dinner and it is crazy knowing I made oatmeal with water from a pond where someone just drowned.  My drinking water for tomorrow morning too.

They Dirty Southbounders are filming for a documentary they want to make.  Hollywood here I come! Hahaha!!!  I am only kidding but I did sign a release form.

A group of four Nobos showed up and one them ate twice as much sausage as me. He couldn't have weighed more than 135 pounds.  Then he had his dinner of two packs of ramen noodles.  The Nobos gave us some tips on eating.  In town eat ice cream.  When you leave town pack out a bunch of heavy snacks for the first night and this can include fresh fruits and veggies if you want.  One guy said he packs four big bags of potato chips sometimes.  They also told us not to be afraid to take cheese blocks, cream cheese, and eggs with us.

I can't wait to get to the next grocery.

-Stealth

Oh, I bent the lower segment of one of my trekking poles today.  It seems to be okay though.

The people

June 17th

It has been said that the people make the trail, more so the long miles, beautiful vistas, diverse wildlife, and the enjoyment of the simpler way of life.  So far I have failed to meet a person that didn't make me laugh.  I like to think I have made each person I have spent time with laugh as well.

People are eager to share everything and help each other.  It is kind of astonishing actually.  Hikers you have got to know are genuinely excited to see you at the end of the day. Due to different hiking paces, resupply schedules, and even minor injuries you may never see people again.  You learn to appreciate the jokes, stories, and knowledge of everyone.

Most people are in groups out here and it is good to have someone to help you if you need it.  However, I'm glad to be solo, independent, and free to hike my hike.  Each day I the miles I want, I hike my pace, and I don't rely on anyone for anything.

I have hiked with another person or group nearly the entire time I have been out here.  Well not hiked with people, but do the same miles.  People seem eager to take me in and are happy to see me at the end of the day.  Lately I've been doing the same miles as three guys from Mankato, Minnesota.

I have heard some funny comments about me from all the people I've met.  I was told someone should write a book about me, that I'm crazy (that's not a new one), that I'm the biggest bullshiter ever (because I mess with people, a lot), and that the reason I'm such a fast hiker is because my calves are so big that they have calves.  Something about this trail draws out the people with a sense of humor and an easy going attitude, otherwise you wouldn't make it.

My knees hurt like hell today.  Hopefully this pain goes away quickly.

-Stealth

May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every wrung and may you stay forever young.

Zero

June 13th

It started raining today before I woke up so I stayed in the hammock once the sun rose above the trees.  I busted out my new book and started reading. I was sucked in pretty quickly and continued to read until lunch.

I sat my pot under the corner of my tarp so I would have water to make some noodles.  I walked over to the lean-to to make my lunch and tasked with the some guys from Minnesota that are hiking together. They asked me to join them in hiking to the next shelter after lunch.  I couldn't make up my mind so flipped a quarter.  Uncle George said no...  I spent the rest of the day reading and napping.  The rest was great.

I am going to adhere to a strict anti rain policy until my feet feel better. There is no need to push it when I could use rest.  Lazy days are great.

Ice down

June 11th

Today I hiked with Excell again.  As we left camp I put some extra oatmeal packets on the lean-to bench for the rationing girls.  It only saved me a few ounces, but i know they needed the food much more than I did.  I try to keep up with my trail karma.  It really does seem that everyone does what they can to help one and other out here.

Today's agenda was to hike 10.8 miles and evaluate if we wanted to go any further. Today was the first real test, as we had to summit White Cap Mountain.  The biggest mountain so far, with a full pack.  I had hot spots on each foot and had to stop twice to tape up my feet. I have learned that up hill is my strong suit. I have legs are long and strong.  I can melt away the ascents and I find them enjoyable.

The view from White Cap was pretty spectacular. I could see where I had been and where I was headed. The wind was strong and I allowed it to blow between my back and my pack to cool me down.

The problem I have with climbing mountains is the descent.  My right knee begins hurting and i have to go extremely slow to keep the pain from intensifying.  After White Cap there were two smaller summits on the same ridge line.  I met up with Excell at the camp ground before the final summit.  I ate some peanut butter on a tortilla and took off my shoes to assess the damage.  I found two new blisters, both on my left heel.

Excell and I both agreed that ten was enough for today as our feet were on fire and we still had two miles to go. After hiking the last two miles very slowly, we arrived at camp around noon. With my free time I used the creek in front of camp to wash my clothes. I let the clothes dry on the large exposed rocks as I bathed myself and used the cold water as an ice bath for my aching feet and legs. I sat for over ten minutes with water up to my chest and it made an obvious difference in the swelling of my feet. Taking time to clean yourself and your clothes is important. Feeling good is most of the battle out here. In the shelter I found The Confessor by Daniel Silva. It will be nice to read in my down time.

Greedy and speedy

June 10th

Today was the day of my resupply at Jo-Mary Road and I hiked with a ferocious pace to get to it.  A guy who has been hking the same mileage as me, Excell, also had a resupply.  I had somewhat rememebered the instructions, but I felt like I was on the losing end of a scavenger hunt.  Luckily for me, Excell paid attention to Phil when he explained the directions to the locker that contained our food.

After a bit of searching on the wrong road, we hiked on and quickly found the locker.  It is amazing how happy a Sunkist and a Zebra Cake can make you out here.  I grabbed my food, a Sunkist to drink with my lunch, a few extra Little Debbie's, and some food that Excell gave from his buddy who has left the trail.  My pack felt like it had doubled in weight as I had way more food than I needed.

Despite my heavier pack the hiking got easier with my sugar high and general excitement.  Excell and I decided to stop at the next shelter for some lunch.  We had finished lunch before noon and we decided to hike another 8 or so miles to the next shelter.  We ended up hiking over 19 miles.  The last two were gruesome after I added three liters of water to my already overweight pack.  My pack felt like it was over forty-five pounds.  It was digging into my shoulders and making my legs weak under the pressure.  I quickly realized that I had been greedy at the resupply.

When I got to the shelter there was a group of girls complaining about having to ration food due to their slow pace.  Eager to remove some of the weight from my pack I offered them some of my extra food which they gladly accepted.  They were very grateful for the calories and I was happy to spare my feet added punishment.

I thourghly enjoyed the improved trail conditions today and the challenge of a more difficult climb.  Tomrrow Excell and i have planned to hike fourteen miles over the mountains.  I am ready to see how well I do on steeper terrain.

Asta manana.

-Brenton

Underwater

June 9th

I keep breaking camp earlier as I switch to the schedule of the trail and sun.  This morning had some elevation and I stopped a few hours in to eat a second meal of peanut butter and dry some clothes on a bald spot of the mountain. The sun was shining and reflecting off the lake that lie at the mountain's base.  I could hear a moose bugling from the far side of the lake.

I still see moose scat, tracks, and hear the bugles but I haven't see any.  The moose is very elusive.

I had planned 14 miles for today but I had a feeling early on that I would end up doing more.  Most of the trail was in better shape than what I hiked yesterday.  There were a few instances of water flowing down the trail and an occasional  mud puddle. Due to the relentless rain of the past week, the water levels are high everywhere.  At one point in the trail where it is supposed to run along Lake Nahmakanta it is completely submerged.  As I walked along the the coast of the lake I could see a white blaze painted on a large boulder.  The high tide and water levels sent each wave crashing over the boulder, wetting the blaze.  I decided to bushwhack.  As I rock hopped across a stream on the marshy shoreline, my shoe slipped on the stone and instantly fell into the cold water.  The granite took a quarter sized chunk of skin from my left elbow and once again had wet shoes.  Now bleeding and furious sped down the trail to the nearest campsite.

I sat at a picnic table as I pulled my shoes apart and sat them in the sunlight to dry.  With time to kill I made a hot meal of mashed potatoes to improve my mood, instead of eating the normal cold lunch grub. I downed the spuds and had checked the shoes.  Still wet...  Anxious to hike I started thinking.  My camp shoes are minimalist and much to the thin for the rocky, root laden trail here in Maine.   I grabbed the insoles from my hiking shoes and stuffed them in my camp shoes for extra padding and slid them on to my feet, now sporting a dry pair of socks.  I trotted around the campsite to see how they felt.  Perfect!  With my new Frankenstein shoes I once again started rolling down the trail.

I made my planned campsite in good time.  The warm dry air had given my hiking shoes time to dry and the sun was still high in the cloudless blue sky.  I felt strong and motivated so I decided to move on.  The trail transferred from along the creeks and lakes across a dirt road where fifteen Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies had gathered in a group on the ground.  As I approached half of them floated up into the air and circled around me.

Past the the road the terrain turned to marshlands and bogs.  The Maine Appalachian Trail Club has worked diligently to provided log bridges over this fragile section of the trail.  These bridges protect the environment and keep the hikers feet dry and for that I am very thankful.

Before getting to the lean-to I passed a lady with a Cocker Spaniel (Riffle).  I though she had seen me as she turned sideways to cross a log bridge, so I didn't say anything.  I scared her half to death, riffle too!  We talked for a bit on the trail and even more at the lean-to.  She had some supreme pizza from her stay at Whitehouse Landing and she gave me piece.  I was a delicious addition to my dinner.

The water source for the shelter was large mountain spring pulsing out of the ground.  It was ice cold, crystal clear, and absolutely delicious.  I ignored all the posted to signs to treat the water that explained the effects of Giardia and showed several animals wading in the water with talks of their feces.  I was sure it was probably some of the most pure water I will come across the entire trail.  No beaver fever for me!

Mucketh Sucketh

June 8th

Last night was my first night in my hammock and it was marvelous. Imagine sleeping in a giant cocoon surrounded by toasty down. I was up at 5:25 and on the trail by 6. I didn't eat breakfast, brush my teeth, or strip off my tights and long sleeves until I stopped for water.  I have been only been getting water from pristine sources and I always fill up with three liters. It is a lot of extra weight but I'm doing low miles.

I got to the high point for the day, Rainbow Ledges, and I finally got to see an unobstructed view of Katahdin. It was worth the wait and oh so rewarding. From the ledges I had enough service to call my dad and wish him a happy birthday. He let me know the weather report, thunderstorms. 

It started raining right after I got off the phone. Mother Nature was looking out for me though. The thick tree canopy kept the rain off of me. The trail today was miserable. Standing water, flowing water, mud, muck, and roots. Keeping your feet dry was like trying to keep a white shirt clean in a food fight.

Even with the poor conditions, I burned up my miles quickly. All the major elevation was in the first few miles and after my feet got wet I just started blowing through mud holes and puddles with reckless abandon. I made my planned 11.5 miles by 12:30 and it had stopped raining. I sat down for lunch after taking my shoes and socks off and thought I could make the next shelter if I only had dry shoes.  I figure I am probably better off taking it easy in the beginning anyway.

With my free time I went for a dip in the swimming hole up stream from camp. The water is high and COLD. The water came off the the rocks in front of me with such force it would push me backwards.

After my bath I was the clothes I had been hiking in and hung them to dry. It didn't take long for the clouds to move in and rain as well. So tomorrow I will have a lovely bag of wet clothes.

Tonight for dinner I had three packets of oatmeal and half a big can of chicken that was given to me. As I chatted with my fellow hikers under the shelter someone mentioned bourbon... I jokingly said, "I would cut off someone's leg for some Jim Beam right now!" Wouldn't you know one of the guys had an airplane bottle he wanted to get out of his pack. Dreams do come true!!!

I'm wearing my damp socks to bed in hours they will dry and I can have three dry pairs tomorrow to manage with my wet shoes. It is also my first rainy night in the hammock. So far so good...

The facts are plain, everyday in Maine there is rain, enough to drive the slow hikers insane.

-Brenton

Sorry no pics today. I forgot to snap Katahdin with my phone and battery juice is low due to leaving my phone on and it searching for nonexistent signal.

Made it to Maine

I'm in Maine now and it is beautiful. My flights went well. The first flight I got a window seat in the single row of seats and the flight was on time. The flight from Louisville to Philadelphia was quick. I took time to read the US Airways Magazine articles about zip lining and the Baja Peninsula. The plane that was going from Flip Flip Flipadelphia (that's for you Always Sunny fans) to Bangor was 20 minutes late arriving so I end up 15 minutes late to Bangor. I slept almost the whole flight and it was glorious. I saw my blue Rubbermaid tote being loaded onto both planes and noticed the white TSA tape on it and had a bad feeling about it, more on that later.

After landing in Bangor I met Phil who had cold beer waiting for me for the ride to his cabin. Talk about full service... We had a great conversation about what I can expect on the trail the next ten days. Phil is a three time thru hiker. He informed me I should be in good standing with the river crossing. The water levels are already receding. We also had a great discussion about alternative energy, nuke power, unions and the economy. All of my favorite political topics. We stopped at the grocery and picked up some dinner for myself, four pieces of fried chicken, a pint of slaw, some fresh berries, and bottle of cab for dinner. I have downed it all but half the wine. I'm not sure I want to climb the hardest or one of the hardest mountains still drunk or hungover.

Phil told me to make myself at home here at his cabin and I knew that would work out when I asked were the restroom was. I was told to pee off the back deck. That's my style!!!

The plan for tomorrow is to be out of here at 5 as it is light at 4. I should have plenty of time for my summit assault of Katahdin and the side hike I'm wanting to do along a trail called the Knife's Edge (google this, it's sick). Phil informed me the Knife's Edge is the scariest hiking he has done as it has shear cliffs and near technical climbs. It is only nine tenths of a mile one way but I'll have to back track to get to camp.

I'm pretty pumped to start hiking and I know tomorrow will be one of the most rewarding days of the entire trip. Phil tells me that if you can make it up Katahdin on your first day then physically you can handle the entire 2184 miles. He also told me that from talking to me he can tell me that I am way ahead most mentally (no news here lol) and that I have what it takes to be a successful thru hiker. That is important to heart from someone like him because a thru hike is 90% mental.

For Loneoak: For insulation I have a 40° underquilt from hammockgear.com, a 40° 2/3 topquilt from Nunatek, and a Stoic down anorak for my upper body. I'll try to get some pictures of my sleep setup soon.

Thanks to everyone for the words of encouragement! I have included a picture of Phil's cabin. I should have got a view out the back as it was spectacular but my phone was dead when the sun was up.

Peace, love, guns, and ammo.

-Brenton

Pre-Flight

Today I tied up all the loose ends I have been neglecting.  I treated my clothes with permethrin which should help alleviate tick, black fly, and mosquito problems for the first 40 days.  I put a new suspension system on my Hennesy Hammock that allows me to have it setup in under a minute. I bought enough food to get me through the 100 Mile Wilderness and into Monson, ME.  I put together a very small first aid kit.  One part of my first aid kit is some antibiotics that treat Lyme disease.  My mother looked up what else this particular antibiotic treats and the list included strep, e. coli, and  two different types of chlamydia.  I got a laugh out of that.  I also thought it would interesting to record my weight, resting pulse, and blood pressure so I could compare the before and after.

As of June 4th at 2:45 PM

Weight: 210 pounds
Right arm: 128/87, pulse 68.
Left arm: 137/85, pulse 70.

It should be interesting to see just how much all these numbers drop over the next few months.  I'm guessing I will end up losing close to 30 pounds and have a resting pulse in the mid 40s.

I did receive some bad news today.  I emailed Phil Pepin who provides a shuttle service from the airport in Bangor to Baxter State Park where I begin, he informed me that Maine has had heavy rains the past few days.  He let me know that all the creeks and rivers are above flood stage and impossible to ford.  I'm not sure what this means for me, I guess I'll ask him when I see him.  I still have two days before I really start the trail so hopefully the water levels recede enough to allow me to pass in that time.  According to the Baxter State Park blog the snow was nearly all melted as of May 26 and the black flies were at full force.

Feel free to share my blog with anyone you think would be interested.  I intend to post daily. I would love to hear from my readers please ask questions in the comment section I will do my best to answer them in a timely manner.  The picture below is a recent snapshot from Baxter.  Thank you for reading.

Brenton