Back to the woods!  It was tough saying goodbye to Austin .... Being out here by myself will be slightly more intimidating, but it had to happen sometime!

Riding back to the trail this time was way different than the first time.  I knew Alex had tried to give me advice originally, but I didn't have enough of a basis to really understand it.  I was able to absorb a lot more of it this time.  Tips about how to keep your feet from blistering (lubricate during the day, take your boots off at every break, make sure they're bone dry at night) and how to enjoy the trail (Alex recommends being butt naked in a lake at least twice a day).

My first day back in the woods was supposed to be a short one, but I got antsy and did twelve miles instead.  Bad mistake.  Now my left knee is on the blink so I have a ten mile day and s seven mile day lined up to recuperate. 

Major pluses..... Beautiful views off white cap mountain!  P.s. I'm at mile 78 for those who are counting!

So, the two days after Hell's Bog were not terribly memorable.  We needed to make it to a certain road in the hundred mile wilderness on the eighteenth in order to meet our shuttle back to Millinocket so that Austin could go back to work, and that meant consecutive fifteen mile days.  It was hot, humid, and the bugs were tough to deal with.  Things got progressively better though, even as our feet grew more blisters, and we were feeling pretty good by the night of the seventeenth, when we made camp at "The Antlers," a beautiful clearing in the pines next to a crystal clear lake.  We soothed our feet in the icy water, enjoyed the respite from the bugs, and generally enjoyed the evening, in contrast to the previous two. I'd say the most redeeming sights on these days were the beautiful views down into lakes and ponds nestled in the sides of the mountain. 

We woke to rain on the eighteenth,  and took a brief break in the storm to pack up and head out.  We made it to our agreed upon shuttle location a few hours early and were fortunately able to get cell reception to call the AT Lodge to pick us up. 

Back at the lodge, I took the most wonderful shower of my life, getting off a weeks worth of DEET and  dirt, and ate four meals worth of Chinese food in about two hours.  It was wonderful. 

I did go shopping after that,  restocking food and buying more Band-Aids, hair ties, tape for blisters, and most importantly, a BUG NET.  The ole man made a point when he said, "For three bucks you can get your sanity back." Boy was he right!

A cribbage game and some dinner at the AT Cafe and we felt good as new.  Oh, and flip flops.  Flip flops were crucial to restoring life to my feet.  I'm never leaving home without them again!

PS. The AT Cafe has squash donuts.  Most amazing thing I've eaten yet on this trip!

Having awoken to dry gear and a warm cabin, we restocked our water supply from the pond, packed up and headed out.  After a few miles of easy trail following Katahdin Stream, we came to two consecutive river crossings, which made us very happy that we had not attempted them the previous night.  With careful planning, and slow and steady progress, we made it across the water with only one tumble and no wet gear.  P.s., in Maine they call these "streams" but I have never seen a twenty foot wide stream with class II whitewater, so I will use terminology more familiar to the rest of the planet.

After fording the  rivers, we hiked along a stream for quite some time, finally exiting Baxter park.  We emerged onto a logging road, and were hiking along to Abol Bridge when the most wonderful sight appeared before us..    A restaurant!  The Northern Restaurant was a huge blessing, providing us with the tastiest barbecue imaginable and a mushroom swiss burger that couldn't be beat.  We had planned on picking up a little more food before entering the 100 Mile Wilderness, but this allowed us to eat a huge lunch, saving our supplies, and even giving us enough leftovers for a full dinner.

Leaving the restaurant, we entered the wilderness, knowing we wouldn't have any supplies available for the next four days.  Trying to make up for our lost day, we hiked past several beautiful campsites, including "Rainbow Ledges" which has a beautiful view of Katahdin, and a nice lean-to.  Looking for a viable place to tent for the evening, as the sun was finally dropping, we took an ill advised detour into what we now term "HELL'S BOG." Big Beaver Pond has no viable campsite, mosquitoes so thick the swarm impedes visibility, and crumbling log "balance beams" over knee deep swamp.  Take this place out of the guidebook. 

We hiked back to the main trail, found a suitable campsite ten yards down the trail, ate our leftovers and called it a night.  Maybe tomorrow will redeem us.

View of Katahdin from Rainbow Ledges!

So, today did not go quite as planned.  We headed up the Helon Taylor Trail in a light rain, climbing up what was almost a creek bed with all the rain from the day before.  The trail was challenging, requiring a fair amount of climbing on slick rocks, and was a steep ascent.  We were doing well with the climb until the temperature started to drop.  Losing feeling in our hands, we continued on, but the wind kept getting stronger and the temperature dropping.  Finally about a mile after emerging above treeline, faced with difficult scrambles, sixty mile an hour winds, and being pelted by ice pellets, we decided risking life and limb wasn't worth it and turned around. 

However, the day ended with a beautiful surprise, as we returned to Roaring Brook campground, took another trail to Chimney Pond, and were able to get a lean-to thanks to some other cancelations.  The Chimney Pond campground has to be one of the most beautiful in the park, surrounded by mountains on three sides with a crystal clear lake in the hollow.  A total surprise and one that would not have been discovered had our day gone as planned!

Tomorrow we will attempt Baxter Peak again, this time from an easier trail!

Knife's Edge, we were so close!

Almost there!  Austin is going to spend the first week hiking with me, which I'm super thankful for because it means being able to figure out some of this trail stuff with a partner before going it alone! 

Having spent the night in Boston, this morning started with a drive to Maine and breakfast at Friendly Toast in Portsmouth NH (yum!).  Arriving in Millinocket, we headed to the AT Lodge, where Tie and Alex set us up with a shuttle to Roaring Brook Campground (north of Mt Katahdin) and the promise of a shower and warm bed in six days.  Alex's inspirational pep talk on the drive to the park included such nuggets as, "It's just walking, yo" and "We are all custodians of the trail by virtue of our participation on it."  Oh, and my favorite, "Be of the trail, not just on the trail."

After setting up the tent, we made some Annie's Mac and Cheese with pepperoni for late lunch/early supper, restocked our water supply, and are currently snacking on avocado on the porch of the ranger station, light rain falling all around. 

Tomorrow morning we head up to Baxter Peak for the official start of the AT!  Yahoo!

It's just walkin, yo....

First blog post!!!  Getting close to the start of the trail!!!!!

Some of the most frequently asked questions from people hearing I'm headed out to the woods for five months have been about what I'm taking with me.  Are you carrying a gun? (No.) How many changes of clothes are you taking? (Two, ish.) Are you taking a tent? (No, ish.)

Here it is!

Total pack weight excluding water and food is 23 pounds.  This includes the following:

1. Pack (Lowe Alpine Merak ND45)
2. Rainfly, Poles, and Ground Tarp (From my MHW Lightwedge 2)
3. Trekking Poles (REI Aluminum)
4. 32 oz Water Bottle (Nalgene)
5. Headlamp (Black Diamond Storm)
6. Sleeping Bag (Sierra Designs Thunderbolt)
7. Sleeping Pad (Thermarest Ridgesrest)
8. Trail Sandals (Teva)
9. Baseball Cap (Walmart)
10. Sunglasses (Ray Ban)
11. Hammock (ENO)
12. Hammock Suspension (Byer Microrope)
13. Stove and Pot (Primus ETA Solo)
14. Stove Fuel (Primus)
15. Spork (Light My Fire)
16. Food Bag (Separate Post Later on What's in It)
17. Water Bladder (Camelbak 70 oz)
18. Water Purification (Katadyn and MSR Aquatabs)
19. Solar Charger (Goal Zero Nomad 7)
20. Battery Pack (Nomad 10)
21. Spare Paracord
22. First Aid Kit (Adventure Medical 0.7, with modifications)
23. Fleece Hat (MHW)
24. Toothbrush & Toothpaste
25. Dental Floss
26. Bar Soap/Shampoo (J.R. Leggett's)
27. Anti-Chafe (Body Glide)
28. Ballpoint Pen (Fisher Spacepen)
29. Multi-tools (Leatherman Micra and Wave)
30. Bear Bell (REI)
31. Bug Repellent (Jungle Juice 100)
32. Lighter (BIC)
33. Nail Clippers
34. Turkish Evil Eye Keychain
35. Firestarter Sticks (Coleman/Walmart)
36. The A.T. Guide (2014 Southbound Edition)
37. Glove Liners (Patagonia)
38. Gloves (Novara)
39. Bandanas (2)
40. IPOD Shuffle
41. Rain Jacket (Sierra Designs)
42. Down Jacket (Columbia Omniheat)
43. Rain Pants (White Sierra)
44. Shorts (North Face)
45. Zip Off Pants (North Face)
46. Thermal Pants and Shirt (Patagonia)
47. Tank Top
48. Short Sleeve Shirt
49. Long Sleeve Shirt
50. 2 Sports Bras
51. 2 Pairs Underwear
52. One Pair Sock Liners
53. Three Pair Socks (2 Short Boot, 1 Long)
54. Boots (Vasque)
55. Luck (Copious Quantities, Not Pictured)

Added (thanks to blog comments!):

1. Phone and Charger
2. Toilet Paper
   
3. Sunscreen
4. Pack Cover
5. Bug Netting
6. Compass

A lot of my gear is old (as in a couple of pieces a decade plus) and some of it is brand-spankin' new.  I figure what dies on the trail will be replaced, and if it's worked solidly for several years it will probably keep on truckin' for at least a few miles.  Some of my gear is also from other sports - my bike gloves happen to be lightweight, waterproof and comfortable, and I see no reason to not use them for this.

Basically, I put together the best kit I had from existing gear and then augmented with new supplies; I felt this was the thriftiest thing to do.  Therefore, I welcome suggestions for how to improve on this or lighten weight, but am not about to run out and replace something in my pack based solely on weight or "new modelness."  And for the love of Pete, if you see something I've forgotten, please please please tell me before I'm in the middle of the woods without something crucial! I've left one thing out on purpose to see who recognizes it!