29 June 2009
Caw Caw Caw ---- Silence ---- WOOSH (repeat)
This morning hiked over Bald Mtn. (elevation 2,629 feet). After a short break at the Bald Mtn. Brook Lean-to, set off. The trail started around a small boggy pond with dead trees sticking up out of the water. At the top of one was a Hawk calling out. Interesting. The calling stopped, and then, unexpectedly, from the rear, WOOSH, the bird flew low and inches over my head before soaring off to another tree. Caw Caw Caw. Silence. Next attack! This happened about 10 times until I had walked past the pond. Unfortunately the trail went 3/4 of the way around so it took some time. Started to use my hiking poles to counter-attack, but a heavy bird soaring full bore directly at your head is quite intimidating. Fortunately it was not hunting... probably just protecting some nearby newborns and wanting to frighten me off.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Attaaaacccckkkkk!!!!!
29 June 2009
Caw Caw Caw ---- Silence ---- WOOSH (repeat)
This morning hiked over Bald Mtn. (elevation 2,629 feet). After a short break at the Bald Mtn. Brook Lean-to, set off. The trail started around a small boggy pond with dead trees sticking up out of the water. At the top of one was a Hawk calling out. Interesting. The calling stopped, and then, unexpectedly, from the rear, WOOSH, the bird flew low and inches over my head before soaring off to another tree. Caw Caw Caw. Silence. Next attack! This happened about 10 times until I had walked past the pond. Unfortunately the trail went 3/4 of the way around so it took some time. Started to use my hiking poles to counter-attack, but a heavy bird soaring full bore directly at your head is quite intimidating. Fortunately it was not hunting... probably just protecting some nearby newborns and wanting to frighten me off.
Caw Caw Caw ---- Silence ---- WOOSH (repeat)
This morning hiked over Bald Mtn. (elevation 2,629 feet). After a short break at the Bald Mtn. Brook Lean-to, set off. The trail started around a small boggy pond with dead trees sticking up out of the water. At the top of one was a Hawk calling out. Interesting. The calling stopped, and then, unexpectedly, from the rear, WOOSH, the bird flew low and inches over my head before soaring off to another tree. Caw Caw Caw. Silence. Next attack! This happened about 10 times until I had walked past the pond. Unfortunately the trail went 3/4 of the way around so it took some time. Started to use my hiking poles to counter-attack, but a heavy bird soaring full bore directly at your head is quite intimidating. Fortunately it was not hunting... probably just protecting some nearby newborns and wanting to frighten me off.
Trail Towns - Monson
26 June 2009
Finally, made it through the "100 Mile Wilderness". One of the two reputedly biggest challenges of the AT. For us SOBO's, a toughening up exercise. To top it off, we had constant rain (well, there was one day that was only cloudy) for days on end. Mud, mossies, slippery tree roots, water, lots of water. Nothing easy about this trail!
As a reward, decided to take a "zero day" in Monson, the first Trail Town south from Mt. Katadhin. There are two hostels in this quiet town, Shaw's and The Lakeshore House. Since the front of the Lakeshore contained a Laundromat, and in the back a restaurant, decided to stay there. Many of the others who had been hiking together stayed as well, and owner Rebecca had a full house. A good omen for her - the day was her 3rd Anniversary since opening. After a trip to shop (food at the grocery, and necessities such as Gold Bond foot powder from the Outfitters) nearby at a larger town, we all ended up socializing, using the internet, talking, and eating. Also time for my feet to heal (toughen up) from the battering they took during the trail's first stage.
Celebration: 5% of the trail completed, and a tough section at that!!
Finally, made it through the "100 Mile Wilderness". One of the two reputedly biggest challenges of the AT. For us SOBO's, a toughening up exercise. To top it off, we had constant rain (well, there was one day that was only cloudy) for days on end. Mud, mossies, slippery tree roots, water, lots of water. Nothing easy about this trail!
As a reward, decided to take a "zero day" in Monson, the first Trail Town south from Mt. Katadhin. There are two hostels in this quiet town, Shaw's and The Lakeshore House. Since the front of the Lakeshore contained a Laundromat, and in the back a restaurant, decided to stay there. Many of the others who had been hiking together stayed as well, and owner Rebecca had a full house. A good omen for her - the day was her 3rd Anniversary since opening. After a trip to shop (food at the grocery, and necessities such as Gold Bond foot powder from the Outfitters) nearby at a larger town, we all ended up socializing, using the internet, talking, and eating. Also time for my feet to heal (toughen up) from the battering they took during the trail's first stage.
Celebration: 5% of the trail completed, and a tough section at that!!
Trail Towns - Monson
26 June 2009
Finally, made it through the "100 Mile Wilderness". One of the two reputedly biggest challenges of the AT. For us SOBO's, a toughening up exercise. To top it off, we had constant rain (well, there was one day that was only cloudy) for days on end. Mud, mossies, slippery tree roots, water, lots of water. Nothing easy about this trail!
As a reward, decided to take a "zero day" in Monson, the first Trail Town south from Mt. Katadhin. There are two hostels in this quiet town, Shaw's and The Lakeshore House. Since the front of the Lakeshore contained a Laundromat, and in the back a restaurant, decided to stay there. Many of the others who had been hiking together stayed as well, and owner Rebecca had a full house. A good omen for her - the day was her 3rd Anniversary since opening. After a trip to shop (food at the grocery, and necessities such as Gold Bond foot powder from the Outfitters) nearby at a larger town, we all ended up socializing, using the internet, talking, and eating. Also time for my feet to heal (toughen up) from the battering they took during the trail's first stage.
Celebration: 5% of the trail completed, and a tough section at that!!
Finally, made it through the "100 Mile Wilderness". One of the two reputedly biggest challenges of the AT. For us SOBO's, a toughening up exercise. To top it off, we had constant rain (well, there was one day that was only cloudy) for days on end. Mud, mossies, slippery tree roots, water, lots of water. Nothing easy about this trail!
As a reward, decided to take a "zero day" in Monson, the first Trail Town south from Mt. Katadhin. There are two hostels in this quiet town, Shaw's and The Lakeshore House. Since the front of the Lakeshore contained a Laundromat, and in the back a restaurant, decided to stay there. Many of the others who had been hiking together stayed as well, and owner Rebecca had a full house. A good omen for her - the day was her 3rd Anniversary since opening. After a trip to shop (food at the grocery, and necessities such as Gold Bond foot powder from the Outfitters) nearby at a larger town, we all ended up socializing, using the internet, talking, and eating. Also time for my feet to heal (toughen up) from the battering they took during the trail's first stage.
Celebration: 5% of the trail completed, and a tough section at that!!
Security on the Trail
This bloody trail is so darn tough right now that I am positive the bad people of the world are far too lazy to come out here and cause trouble. But what about later when we are closer to civilization? How can somebody find us in an emergency?
At the trailhead in Baxter State Park everyone registers with their real name, address, and trail name. This information is used to get some statistics on AT hikers, and is also available to the authorities.
While hiking in the most unexpected and remote places, hikers will come upon a box with a hinged front, some forms to list name, and some other info, and a slot to insert the form. Somehow, these are maintained.
In each of the "Lean-To" sleeping areas there is a book for hikers to write comments. Most sign using their Trail Name.
So if you are in contact with the Authorities, and they are familiar with the AT and it's systems, a person can be tracked down fairly quickly.
Signed,
"Country Runner"
At the trailhead in Baxter State Park everyone registers with their real name, address, and trail name. This information is used to get some statistics on AT hikers, and is also available to the authorities.
While hiking in the most unexpected and remote places, hikers will come upon a box with a hinged front, some forms to list name, and some other info, and a slot to insert the form. Somehow, these are maintained.
In each of the "Lean-To" sleeping areas there is a book for hikers to write comments. Most sign using their Trail Name.
So if you are in contact with the Authorities, and they are familiar with the AT and it's systems, a person can be tracked down fairly quickly.
Signed,
"Country Runner"
Security on the Trail
This bloody trail is so darn tough right now that I am positive the bad people of the world are far too lazy to come out here and cause trouble. But what about later when we are closer to civilization? How can somebody find us in an emergency?
At the trailhead in Baxter State Park everyone registers with their real name, address, and trail name. This information is used to get some statistics on AT hikers, and is also available to the authorities.
While hiking in the most unexpected and remote places, hikers will come upon a box with a hinged front, some forms to list name, and some other info, and a slot to insert the form. Somehow, these are maintained.
In each of the "Lean-To" sleeping areas there is a book for hikers to write comments. Most sign using their Trail Name.
So if you are in contact with the Authorities, and they are familiar with the AT and it's systems, a person can be tracked down fairly quickly.
Signed,
"Country Runner"
At the trailhead in Baxter State Park everyone registers with their real name, address, and trail name. This information is used to get some statistics on AT hikers, and is also available to the authorities.
While hiking in the most unexpected and remote places, hikers will come upon a box with a hinged front, some forms to list name, and some other info, and a slot to insert the form. Somehow, these are maintained.
In each of the "Lean-To" sleeping areas there is a book for hikers to write comments. Most sign using their Trail Name.
So if you are in contact with the Authorities, and they are familiar with the AT and it's systems, a person can be tracked down fairly quickly.
Signed,
"Country Runner"
Trail Names
Hikers on the AT often take (or are given) trail names. There is often a story behind the names. Cool Change is a young man who went to Afghanistan when a young man to help with developmental work, and later joined the Army Rangers and served in the same country. He is walking home to Alabama. Ring Master is a 67 year old man who walked most of the AT in 2007 (NOBO) before succumbing to Lime Disease from a tick bite. Now he is out hiking us all as a SOBO. He likes to do a trick where a ring is wrapped around a thin chain... thus his trail name.
My trail name is "Country Runner", a name given to me while helping to organize an international "running" event in Chiangmai, Thailand several years ago. It typically starts a conversation about trail running around the world.
My trail name is "Country Runner", a name given to me while helping to organize an international "running" event in Chiangmai, Thailand several years ago. It typically starts a conversation about trail running around the world.
Trail Names
Hikers on the AT often take (or are given) trail names. There is often a story behind the names. Cool Change is a young man who went to Afghanistan when a young man to help with developmental work, and later joined the Army Rangers and served in the same country. He is walking home to Alabama. Ring Master is a 67 year old man who walked most of the AT in 2007 (NOBO) before succumbing to Lime Disease from a tick bite. Now he is out hiking us all as a SOBO. He likes to do a trick where a ring is wrapped around a thin chain... thus his trail name.
My trail name is "Country Runner", a name given to me while helping to organize an international "running" event in Chiangmai, Thailand several years ago. It typically starts a conversation about trail running around the world.
My trail name is "Country Runner", a name given to me while helping to organize an international "running" event in Chiangmai, Thailand several years ago. It typically starts a conversation about trail running around the world.
NOBO's
North Bounders hiking from Georgia to Maine (I am a SOBO) are starting to pass me on the trail. They are all Young Men, extremely focused, walking and eating machines. For them, the trails end is only day's away. They hike in one day what takes me two - or more. These folks started hiking during the second half of February - still winter on Springer Mountain (the southern Appalachian Trail terminus). They are the "best of the best". One can only respect and admire them... and hope to reach their level as soon as possible.
NOBO's
North Bounders hiking from Georgia to Maine (I am a SOBO) are starting to pass me on the trail. They are all Young Men, extremely focused, walking and eating machines. For them, the trails end is only day's away. They hike in one day what takes me two - or more. These folks started hiking during the second half of February - still winter on Springer Mountain (the southern Appalachian Trail terminus). They are the "best of the best". One can only respect and admire them... and hope to reach their level as soon as possible.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Hiking in the Rain
20 June 2009
Day 3, like Day 2, was spent hiking in the rain. Think hiking in streams, crossing small rivers, slippery roots, slippery stepping stones, and mud, lots of mud. There were also 2 scenic lakes and a Moose Cow (mother) and Calf. Reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to at 1:50 pm. Wanting to start more slowly, called it a day. A tiring 11.5 miles. 30.2 from Mt. Katadhin. This hike will not be easy. It should be interesting.
Hiking in the Rain
20 June 2009
Day 3, like Day 2, was spent hiking in the rain. Think hiking in streams, crossing small rivers, slippery roots, slippery stepping stones, and mud, lots of mud. There were also 2 scenic lakes and a Moose Cow (mother) and Calf. Reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to at 1:50 pm. Wanting to start more slowly, called it a day. A tiring 11.5 miles. 30.2 from Mt. Katadhin. This hike will not be easy. It should be interesting.
Day 2 - first day hiking with a full pack
19 June 2009
Awake at 5 am. Hiking by 7:30. Past some lakes. First stream to ford. Now raining continuously and heavily. Eventually left Baxter State Park. After 13.4 miles, stopped at the Hurd Brook Lean-to.
Day 2 - first day hiking with a full pack
19 June 2009
Awake at 5 am. Hiking by 7:30. Past some lakes. First stream to ford. Now raining continuously and heavily. Eventually left Baxter State Park. After 13.4 miles, stopped at the Hurd Brook Lean-to.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day One on the Appalachian Trail
18 June 20009
The time has come. Since the trail starts at the top of Mt. Katadhin, I guess the hike up does not count for me. But it should. At 5200 feet elevation it is Maine's highest mountain.
Departing from last night's mosquito infested campground, "Tiger" drove me to Baxter State Park. He lives in nearby Bangor and assists at the campground during the summer.
The Ranger Station at the trailhead provides a place to leave packs and smaller day packs for use. Repacked and off to hike. Two areas have steep boulders to climb. The weather is clear and warm, perfect for this difficult climb from 1000 to 5000+ feet
Already meeting others here to hike the entire trail. One man is a fit 67 years old and earlier hiked much of the trail.
Completed the 10• mile hike in about 6 1/2 hours.
Day One on the Appalachian Trail
18 June 20009
The time has come. Since the trail starts at the top of Mt. Katadhin, I guess the hike up does not count for me. But it should. At 5200 feet elevation it is Maine's highest mountain.
Departing from last night's mosquito infested campground, "Tiger" drove me to Baxter State Park. He lives in nearby Bangor and assists at the campground during the summer.
The Ranger Station at the trailhead provides a place to leave packs and smaller day packs for use. Repacked and off to hike. Two areas have steep boulders to climb. The weather is clear and warm, perfect for this difficult climb from 1000 to 5000+ feet
Already meeting others here to hike the entire trail. One man is a fit 67 years old and earlier hiked much of the trail.
Completed the 10• mile hike in about 6 1/2 hours.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Time to start... train to Boston
15 June 2009
This morning I said goodbye to my Mom and left for New York City. Amtrak runs a train up the east coast and my first stop is Boston. By the end of the week I should be on trail. Hopefully all the possessions I will need are with me - and not too much "extra". My pack weighs in at 37 pounds which I am informed is "horrible" and needs to decrease dramatically. So, challenges lie ahead.
Upon arrival in Boston, took some time to walk along the Charles River and then around the old sections of the city including Beacon Hill and Commonwealth Ave. Beautiful brick homes and lots of US History. Plan to investigate further tomorrow.
The train trip was relaxed and enjoyable. It is nice to be able to walk around and the overall comfort and service is far superior to plane travel. Perhaps that is why the train was mostly full.
Time to start... train to Boston
15 June 2009
This morning I said goodbye to my Mom and left for New York City. Amtrak runs a train up the east coast and my first stop is Boston. By the end of the week I should be on trail. Hopefully all the possessions I will need are with me - and not too much "extra". My pack weighs in at 37 pounds which I am informed is "horrible" and needs to decrease dramatically. So, challenges lie ahead.
Upon arrival in Boston, took some time to walk along the Charles River and then around the old sections of the city including Beacon Hill and Commonwealth Ave. Beautiful brick homes and lots of US History. Plan to investigate further tomorrow.
The train trip was relaxed and enjoyable. It is nice to be able to walk around and the overall comfort and service is far superior to plane travel. Perhaps that is why the train was mostly full.
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