Can't believe it's over!

For so long, Katahdin has been such a distant horizon as to seem almost unreachable. That just a few days ago I stood atop its highest peak, at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, having walked there from Georgia, has yet to completely sink in. It's hard to believe that I don't have to hike tomorrow, although I am seriously enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation with my family in beautiful Portland, ME. So many people contributed to the successful completion of this journey, from  Trail Angels and hiker-friendly motorists, to those of you who left encouraging words in the comments of this blog and kept me in your prayers. I'd like to especially thank Robert Zimmerman and Whole Earth Provisions Co., my primary sponsors, without whom this idea might never have become a reality. I would also like to thank my parents, who offered unconditional support - both emotional and financial - and who always manage to get excited about my various schemes for adventure, no matter how half-baked or wild. And of course, thank you to everyone who donated to support the student meals program at Yellowstone! The total amount raised will provide roughly 10,000 meals to students at Yellowstone! This is an unbelievable number far in excess of my original hopes for this project. Thank you everyone for helping to make it such an incredible success!!!

Katahdin!

Monson, ME

Maine has been tough! The southern part of the state was super tough, with tons of rocks and roots and mud and steep terrain. There have been some beautiful views though, like Saddleback and the Bigelows and Bald Pate. I caught up with my group of friends that I lost in Hanover in Stratton, ME and have been hiking with them for the past several days. The terrain in central Maine hasn't been too bad. It's been mostly flat with some small climbs. Monson is the last town the trail hits before the northern terminus at Katahdin, and we are all staying in a hostel here in town. Only 115 miles to go!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts or left encouraging words in the comments. I have read all of them and they have been an amazing source of strength to keep pressing on to the final goal. Thank you!!

The Great Whites

Yesterday I finished the White Mountains of New Hampshire, said to be both the most beautiful and most difficult section of trail on the AT. I did two relatively easy 20 mile days out of Hanover to a hostel in Glencliff, NH. The next day, first thing in the morning, was Mt. Moosilauke, the first 4,000 ft climb of the Whites. I did 26 miles that day, with several more very steep, very rocky climbs and descents. Definitely one of the toughest days yet. I shuttled into Lincoln, NH from Franconia Notch and stayed in a hostel. The next day severe thunderstorms were in the forecast, so I took the day off just to be safe. The next day, Saturday, I hiked 20 miles to an AMC hut at Zealand Falls. The AMC, or Appalachian Mountain Club, maintains a system of lodges in the White Mountains that are totally off the grid. Guests hike in and are served breakfast and dinner at the huts. Thru-hikers are allowed to do work for stay. The hut crews, mostly college students, were all amazing and were very generous in giving us hikers food and shelter. The next day, Sunday, I hiked another 20 miles to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, an incredible place located just below Mt. Washington in the alpine zone. The next morning I summitted Washington, the second highest peak on the trail, and descended to Pinkham Notch, where I hitched into Gorham for the night. Yesterday I hitched back to the trail for a 21 mile hike to another highway into Gorham, so I stayed in the same hostel again last night. Today I cross into Maine! Pretty hard to believe...

Back on the trail after an unplanned hangup in Hanover

Well, I thought I had been pretty lucky to make it all the way to New Hampshire without any kind of health problems. Unfortunately, it was not to be. I woke up last Thursday morning with a swollen right foot that was pretty painful to stand on. I tossed back several Ibuprofen and managed to make most of the 25 miles to Hanover without too much pain, but the last few miles got extraordinarily painful. Once I got in town I started feeling light headed and chilled, and checked into a motel with my friend Bluegrass. Two toes on my right foot were swollen and bright red. I went to sleep at 8 pm, and didn't feel any better the next morning so I headed to the ER. I had a skin infection, cellulitis, and was prescribed rest and antibiotics. Since there aren't many affordable options for lodging in Hanover, the ER doctor offered to let me stay with him and his family until I was well enough to hike. I ended up staying four days with them, on their beautiful farm on the outskirts of Hanover. I spent most of my time sleeping or reading, and joined the family for dinner in the evenings. It was so good to eat real, whole foods again! There were fresh vegetables, dairy products from the farm, local meats, yard eggs, everything I had craved while subsisting on processed foods on the trails. I had a great time getting to know the family, and we had some great dinner table discussions about politics, healthcare, sustainability, etc. I headed back to the trail on Tuesday morning, and am now in a great hostel in Glencliff, NH. Tomorrow starts the White Mountains, said to be the hardest section of the entire AT. Yikes!

Zero in Rutland, VT

After putting in long days to catch my friends, I am finally getting a chance to rest my legs. We did a short day (or "Nero") of 9 miles into town yesterday and stayed in a Hampton Inn with Goose's family and today are staying in a very cool hostel in downtown Rutland. We have spent our time eating, resupplying, and have seen two movies in the theaters. Also plenty of ice cream. A perfect zero day!

Only a quarter left!

Yesterday we passed the 3/4 mark on the trail - only 550 miles to Katahdin! I also finally caught up with two friends I had hiked with in North Carolina and Virginia, Mav and Goose. I had been hiking solo since Waynesboro, VA as was very ready for some company again so I was really working to catch up to them since getting back on trail from New York. I spent the last ten days hiking high twenty mile days, and then cranked out a 30, 32, and 36 mile day to finally catch them. I'm glad I did, because I'm just about out of gas from the effort. We stayed in Manchester, VT last night and got everything dry after a week of rain. Vermont is amazing! Everyone is very friendly, a phenomenon we have missed somewhat since leaving the south. On Monday we will take a day off in Killington, VT. It will be much needed!

P.S. My GPS has not been working lately. Sorry to everyone following along! Hopefully I can get it working soon.