Day 16 - Sunday, July 14, 2019

Sabbath Pond Shelter to ME 17 Rangley - 9.4 Miles

Got out of camp at 8:00 and was at ME 17 by 12:45. Trail was moderately easy into Rangley.  I had a resupply box in town so I walked to the “Hiker Hut” to get a bunk for the night and a shuttle into town.  I haven’t had a phone signal for the last couple of days. When I got to town to get a phone signal I found a couple of message to call home.   It appears my father in law is doing worst so I’m hitting the pause on my hike.  I have made travel arrangements to travel back tomorrow.  Please pray for Lisa’s Dad.  I plan to return back to the trail as soon as possible.

Day 15 - Saturday, July 13, 2019

South Arm Rd, Andover to Sabbath Pond Shelter - 17 miles

“Man that pack is heavy” were the words out of my mouth after loaded up this morning to return to the trail with my full pack.  It was nice to have had a couple of slackpack days.   I hiked with “Beer” and “Burgers” today.  This is a young (27) married couple hiking the trail together.  Beer was a wrestler in PA and an Eagle Scout so we had a lot to talk about.  The conversation was good which made the day go by quicker but it was a long day of hiking.  We were on trail for 11.5 hours for 17 miles.  In the south this same mileage would take 8.0 hours.   The weather was nice today.  The trail had steep climbs, rocks, roots and mud to deal with today.  We are camped near a beautiful pond tonight.  Tomorrow we will trail to Rangley.   Beer and Burgers are planning to hike on but I need to get a resupply box in town.   

Hikers met today:  Scatted (sb). 

Overlooking one of Maine’s many ponds from ME 17.  

Day 14 - Friday, July 12, 2019

South Arm Rd to East B Rd - 10.1 Miles

Today I hiked (slack-packing) southbound.  The Hostel shuttles hikers for this section.  It was a cool and rainy day.    My achilles felt much better today, so I will ice and massage again tonight.    Because of the weather I had  no views today.   The mountain was covered with moose scat but I could find a moose.  

I really like the Human Nature Hostel.  The owner is a two time survivor on Nake and Afraid.  There are a lot of hikers who zeroed today to avoid the bad weather so I should be hiking out with several people in the morning.

Hikers met:   Scavenger (nb), Mountain Calf (nb), Chips (sb), Drop Bear (sb),  Levi (nb)

Pond near East B Road In Andover, ME but no Moose

Human Nature Hostel 

Day 13 - Thursday, July 11, 2019

Grafton Notch to East B Road - 10.3 Miles

Well today didn’t go as planned.  Weather and trail was good.   I intended to do 21 miles but at halfway I bailed out.  I made great time to the halfway point but my right Achilles was very tight and really hurting.  So I stopped to be cautionous.   This afternoon I iced and massaged it.  I also cut a couple of cardboard heel lifts to go into my shoes, hopefully that will relieve some of the heel strain.  I will go back out in the morning to do the second half of my original hike.  

Hikers met:  Beers (nb), Burgers (nb), Mtn Leg (sb), Goat (nb), 

Baldpate Peak

Day 12 - Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Full Goose Shelter to Grafton Notch (ME 26) - 9.7 Miles

Well I made it through the Mahoosuc Notch and Arm with out an issue.   Korky and I hiked together through the Notch which took a little more than an hour but what “fun”.  It a valley of huge boulders and you can go over or under them, there is no path just get through it.   I was able to get through the whole Notch without removing my pack.  The Mahoosuc Arm was a 1600 climb with lots of long granite slabs (just like the one I fell on last year).  The difference was today the rocks were dry and you could move up them without  slipping and sliding.   I finished the hike at 2:30 and got a ride from a friend of Korky’s which I met at the Hostel in Gorham.  He took me to Andover where I got another ride to the Human Nature Hostel.  I got dinner, a shower and clothing washed.  I have a ride back to the trail at 6:30 and plan the slackpack 21 miles tomorrow, which is a huge day in this terrain.  The good news is I have a bailout option at 10.3 miles if it is too bad.  The weather in the afternoon is Rain....on well.  

Hikers I met today: See (nb), Wing (Sb), Wam (sb), Goliath (nb), Aquaman (nb), M&M and his dog Mia (nb)and several others which I cannot remember their names

The Mahoosuc Notch

Day 11 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Gentian Pond Shelter to Full Goose Shelter - 9.6 Miles

Another short day,  the plan is to set me up for Mahoosuc Notch (the longest mile on the AT) and the Mahoosuc Arm first thing in the morning.  I’m sitting 1.6 miles from beginning of the Notch.   I hope to have pictures tomorrow.   

I cross over into Maine this morning and said goodbye to New Hampshire.  I have a love/hate relationship with NH.  It starts with the fall last year,  it’s a tough state but very beautiful.   I know ME will have its challenges but it’s a great feeling to know I’m in the last state (13 down and 1 to go).   I’m currently 276.9 miles to the end.   

Hikers I met today: Walbat (sb), Goat (nb), Korky (nb), Levi (nb) Logan (nb) and 3 groups of youth hikers during summer camp.  At least one of the groups were Canadian.   

Maine State Line...Yeah!!!!

Day 10 - Monday, July 8, 2019

Rattle River Hostel to Gentian Pond Shelter -  11.8 Miles

I left Gorham a little later than normal so I could get a report about Fred (my father in law).  The report was positive so Lisa gave me the “Green Light” to go back into the woods.  I don’t expect to get phone coverage until Wednesday night as I head into Southern Maine.   This is my last evening in NH.  Also, I passed the 1900 miles today.  Tomorrow morning I will cross over into ME (the 14th and final state).  Today, I had beautiful weather and good trails up from Gorham.   My “trail legs” are coming along and I had good energy.    I have a tight Achilles on my right leg but rolled it out and applied KT tape for support.  I hope that reliefs the discomfort.  

My original plan for today was to go another 5 miles to cross into ME but the folks at the hostel said this was a great shelter, with a great view as well as a good chance of seeing a moose in the pond in the evening.   This place definitely is a room with a view.  I arrived here a little before 4:00.   A Good Day!

Hikers I met today:  Dalson (sb), Sunshine(sb), Get out (sb), Logan (nb), Korky (nb) and Levi (nb) which I walked with most of the day.   

View from the Shelter