Monson, Maine

Maine! I've made it to Maine! Not just that I'm only 115 miles from the end. So far Maine has been pretty rough, a lot of steep ups and downs on slick, mossy rock. Maine has been the worst for Mosquitos and black flies yet, plus rumors of Norovirus from sobos helped me decide to set my tent up over shelters most nights. Shortly after arriving into the finally state I conquered Mahoosic Notch which was indeed the hardest and most fun mile of the trail, but I don't think I would classify it hiking, something more along the lines of rock climbing. In many of the deep crevasses between the boulders there was still ice and snow which definitely felt odd hiking on in mid July. I got a hitch from the first car that passed bye to Rangeley and stayed at The Grey Beast, an unofficial hostel in downtown. Enjoyed walking around town and afterwards kayaking in Rangeley Lake later that evening in the midst of fireworks. Hiked a few more fairly easy but extremely muddy days coming out of town. Over these days my feet especially my left foot have developed extreme pain making it very difficult to get started after any significant break. Picked up a mail drop in Caratunk and some homemade cookies from a hiker box. Easily got a hitch to Northern Outdoors, an outdoor center with a restaurant about 2 miles away. Was able to take a free shower and relax a few hours then moving 6 more miles to a shelter where I tented. I hiked 22 miles the next day half of which was easily graded. Forded a few rivers which was a fun change of pace except for the wet feet. Woke up early and arrived in Monson after an easy 9 miles around 9am. Picked up another mail drop explored the sprawling metropolis that is Monson, and checked in at Shaw's Lodging. Surprisingly we walked into town on their Summer Festival which was only a few small vendors, a open house at the fire station, and a makeshift float race. Currently taking a zero at Shaw's, will be in the 100 mile wilderness tomorrow and hopefully Katahdin the 27th!

Gorham, NH

Okay this post is going to be pretty brief, I just felt like I had to post something. I'm currently taking a zero in Monson, ME only about 6 days from finishing. This will only be up to Gorham, NH 

In the last post I had only just gotten to New Hampshire, now I'm only about 20 miles from the Maine state line. Had a few long boring days coming out of Hanover but was soon met with the Whites. Slowley summited  Moosilake (the first mountain in the Whites) around 8:30am and was very excited to be above tree line for the first time since the Roan Highlands, even if it was just for a little bit. Tented at the last available free shelter in the Whites after a 16 mile day that felt much longer. Passed a guy going southbound early the next morning trying to break the speed record for the entire AT. Hitched into Lincoln for resupply and ended up staying the night in a small hotel room with 5 other thru hikers... not the best smelling evening. Was very surprised the next afternoon (it took a long time getting out of Lincoln, like usual with towns) once on top of Franconia Ridge and just how amazing it was. Did my first work for stay at Greenleaf Hut which is one of the 8 AMC run huts located in the whites available to hikers. Guests normally pay around $125 a night to stay at one of these huts but for less than an hour of a work per night I was able to stay at 3 of them. Thankfully this was possible due to me still being ahead of the major thru hiker bubble by a few weeks. The rest of the Whites were equally challenging as well as beautiful.  Overall the White Mountains were by far my favorite section and plan to do them again in the future. The only time I had poor weather (which was only windy and rainy) was coming over Mt. Washington into Gorham at Pikman Notch. Stopped in Gorham earlier than I originally anticipated due to an apparent storm blowing in and me just me cold and wet. Stayed at the Hiker Paradise which wasn't terrible, just unkempt and a little dirty. Thankfully I missed out the overnight storm and was back on the trail early the next morning. Takeled the Wildcats which were not nearly as bad as they were rumoured to be and arrived at the shelter 2 miles before the second road to Gorham (19 miles) . Arrived in Gorham once again after a short strole to the road. Neroed at White Mountain Lodge and Hostel which was a great improvement over the last hostel and probaly one of my favorites on the trail.

 

Hanover, NH

Okay, I originally typed this up in Hanover thinking I was going to publish it there, that didn't happen and now I'm in Maine over 200 miles past.

Started back on the trail around 9:45 after a self made omelet. Did 18 miles the first day through a bunch of muddy trail. Made it to Cooper Lodge Shelter the next day after 23 miles. Thankfully some section hikers made too much spagetti and allowed us to finish it off. Near the shelter there was a difficult 0.2 mile sidetrail that lead to the top of Mt. Killington which offered a fantastic but windy 360 view. Only did about 7 miles the next day plus another .5 down a side trail. Waited near The Inn at the Long Trail for a bus that never came, but eventually got a ride through hitching. Turns out the guy that pulled over actually worked on the farm that supplied the restaurant (that also ran the hostel) I was planning to stay at. So I was driven to the Yellow Deli in Rutland where I was given some delisious tea called matte and introduced to all the awesome interesting people inside. Apparently I arrived on their Sabbath so I watched and eventually joined in on some good old fashioned Israeli folk dancing and song. Was also treated to a fantastic meal that definitely help convince me to take a zero the following day. Took a bus around town to replaced my stiff, holy Darn Tough socks as well as going to a buffet. Got back on the trail around 10 and did 18 to Winturri Shelter. Woke up early and did 20 to Happy Hill Shelter where I was forced to hide from the hordes of mosquitoes the rest of the day in my tent. Did a short 6 miles, half of which was road walking to Hanover. Instantly felt increasing stares from everyone walking into town so I picked up my mail drop at the post office and called a hostel to pick me up, missing out on all the apparent trail magic. Started back on the trail where I left off the next day but only hiked about 6 miles until I decided I was still tired and went back to the hostel. Took another zero the following day to meet back up with some other thru hikers and just relax.