Day 30 - Monday, August 5, 2019

Katahdin Stream Campgroup to Katahdin Summit - 5.2 Miles

Lisa, Tracey and Danny arrived after Midnight on Saturday Night.  We slept in on Sunday morning, after lunch Danny and I headed to Baxter State Park to our campsite.   We stayed at Nesowadnehunk Field Lean-tos approx. 9 miles north of Katahdin Streams.  Arrived at Campground around 3:00.  Our plan is up early, drive to the trailhead and start around 5:30 am.

Well it was a chilly start this morning.  When we left the campground the car temp was 39.   We got on trail at 6:00.   The mountain was tough but it was a great day.  We arrived at the summit around 11:00.    

Wahoo!!!!   It’s Finished!!!!!

Thanks to all the folks who followed and supported me.

Summit Photo

Friday, August 2, 2019

Millinocket - 0 miles

Note I’m not counting these as zeros in my trail logs as I’m at the end just waiting for my wife and Friends before summitting.

Today was a busy day I hiked a couple miles to the Baxter State Park Headquarters to get reservations in the park for Sunday night.  Danny and I will Summit early on Monday morning.   

Tonight the Tramily with Family all got together for dinner and drinks to celebrate finishing the trail at the Scootic In.  We are having breakfast together at the AT Cafe before everyone hits the road.   We all agreed to do Damascus Trail Day next year for a reunion.

The Tramily with Family

Day 29 - Thursday, August 1, 2019

Abol Campground To Katahdin Streams Ranger Station - 10 miles

What a great decision to push on the Abol Campground last night.  The shower alone was worth it.   I was able to get a cold Ginger Ale and Tums to help settle my stomach.   I had a lite dinner (soup) but in the middle of the night I woke hunger (good sign).   This morning I had a good breakfast before we all headed to Baxter State Park.  The four of us walked the 10 miles in just over 3 hours.  Not that we were anxious to get to the end but the excitement was pushing us along.   For the last few days we have being talking about our experiences, story along the trail, and future plans.   

Tomorrow Snow Cap, Pirate and Highlander will Summit.   We are all meeting in Millnocket for a celebration and to say our goodbyes.   I will Summit on Sunday or Monday depending on when Lisa gets to town.    

I’m currently at the AT Lodge in Millnocket.  

The gang outside of Abol Campground Resturant (me, Snow Cap, Pirate, Highlander)

Day 28 - Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Wadleigh Stream Shelter to Abol Campground - 23.1 Miles

I woke this morning at 4:30 to see how I felt and to have the time to leisurely pack up and to eat breakfast.  I was nauseas but I wanted to try to hike.  I ate two packets of oatmeal which took forever as nothing taste good.   I sipped water all day which helped but had little to eat.  Weather was much nicer today.

Highlander and I  got to Hurd Brook Lean-to at 3:00 but there were no tent sites so we pushed on to Abol Bridge and the campground.  We are officially out of the 100 Mile Wilderness and will be in Baxter State Park in less than .5 miles.  We only have 10 miles tomorrow into the Birches (Lean To for Hikers).  Three of us will go into Millnocket.   All three of the guys I have been hiking with will summit on Friday.  Katahdin is huge!

Katahdin from Abol Bridge

Day 27 - Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Jo Mary Rd to Wadleigh Stream Lean To - 17.8 Miles

Today was hard!   The trail was great but the heat and humidity hit me hard.   I drank plenty but struggled in the afternoon.   I got to camp and set up the screen of tent and crawled in but I was exhausted.   I thought I needed more water so I drank several liters.   As I prepared my dinner I became ill and released a gallon of fluid.   I hope it is only heat related it but there has been some sickness in the Tramily.   Papa Smurf, Bookbag and Seacrunch have been sick.   I saw Seacrunch this morning????

I hope it passes over night as we only have 33 miles to the base of Katahdin.   The plan is to do 20 tomorrow and 13 on Thursday.   I’ve never been sick on trail and with 1.5 days left it happens.   I hope I don’t spread it to others.

Katahdin......we are getting closer!

Day 26 - Monday, July 29, 2019

Sidney Tappen Campground to Jo-Mary Rd - 20.8 Miles

Today we did our last climbs up White Cap and Little Broadmen Mtns.  From the north side of White Cap we had a great view of Katahdin.  It looks so close but in reality we are 70 miles away.   After the climbs the trail flatten out and we were able to make good time.   Highlander and I got to the designated Lean To where White Cap and Pirate were camping around 2:20 so we pushed on to the road where we get our food drop tomorrow morning at 9:00 am..  As of tonight, I only have two oatmeal packets and some caffeinated drink mix left.  

The hundred mile wilderness had been anything but wilderness.   The last two nights we have camped in areas with 25 to 50 youth hiking groups.  The wilderness is full of people.   Today we could hear the loud machine noises of construction or perhaps logging operations.   Tonight, we are camped by a nice stream and road.  A logging road I guess but in the last three hours we have seen at least 20 vehicles.  I guess “Wilderness” is defined loosely here in Maine.   

The weather was hot and humid again today with little to no breeze.   I’m laying in my tent at 6:40 pm uncomfortably hot.   

At the White Cap Mtn Summit

Katahdin in the distances

Day 25 - Sunday, July 28, 2019

Cloud Pond Lean To - Sidney Tappan Campsite - 18.6 Miles

Hot and Humid!   I thought Maine was cool in the summer.  The last couple of days have been Georgia like humidity.   Thunderstorms moved in this afternoon and planned for tonight; hopefully,  these storms will cool the temps.    This morning we hiked over the Chairback Mtn Range which has a series short climbs.   I even got a phone signal on top of Fourth Mtn. and was able to get a quick text off to Lisa.  We had our second river ford.  

Tomorrow we will go over White Cap which is the last mountain range before Katahdin.  Also,  if it is clear, we are supposed to be able to see Katahdin from the Northside of the summit.   Tomorrow we are planning to end at Jo Mary Road which is the location of our food drop on Tuesday morning.   Afternoon descending White Cap the rest of the hike is somewhat flat, with a lot of roots, Mosquitos and black flies.  

Hikers Met:  Honey Bun (sb), Grind (sb), Pocho (sb Yo-yo) he just submitted nb and is headed back to GA.

View from one of the viewpoints

Fourth Mtn Summit

Day 24 - Saturday, July 27, 2019

Monson ME (ME 15) to Cloud Pond Lean To - 19.1 Miles

Felt good today, good food and rest in town on Friday.   Ten of us hiked out together this morning at 8:30 (The 3 below, plus Bookbag, Moss, Starcrunch, Rugs, Granddad and Just Dad) but only four of us ended up together tonight (Pirate, Highlander and Snowcap).  The others stopped several miles back at the previous Lean To.  Since we have a food drop together on Tuesday morning we need to stick together.  The whole group is planning to summit on Friday.   The terrain was fair with some rocks and roots but lots of “Puds” or “Pointless Ups and Downs”.   

Highlander and Pirate at Barren Mtn Overlook

Looking from overlook to the top of Barren Mtn.