Day 25 through 29

Day 25- 9.7miles

Moz dropped me off at Grafton Notch and I was getting all my stuff situated and waved goodbye. Went to the bathroom and came back and realized.... I left my HIKING POLES in his car!!!! I yelled out, NO!!!!! Classic hiker mistake. 

It was a hard climb up Speck Mountain then down Mahoosuc Arm. This would have been a good time to have poles. 

Then I made it to Mahoosuc Notch. This area is 1 mile of bouldering. It's known as the most difficult or fun mile of the AT. It was awesome and difficult. Some of the areas went deep into the mountain and it was like going into a fridge. The temperature would drop about 25 degrees. I saw ice formations and could see my breathe a few times.

This is a keyhole that you have to squeeze through. 

Ice formations

Day 26 - 9.6 miles

Hard day, mainly because yesterday was so hard on my knees. I saw a grouse on top of Goose Eye mountain. 

Made it to the top of the mountain around 9am and it was a beautiful sunny day. It was a perfect time to catch a few rays and meditate. 

Crossed into New Hampshire!! One state complete!!

That night I setup camp early because a storm was coming and slept from 6pm to 6am. Well needed rest. 

Day 27- 19.8 miles 

I felt great after all the rest. I found a make shift pole. I was calling it my Gandalf staff. "You shall not pass!" I guess I would be Gandalf the Brown. 

I got some cool pictures of the sunshine coming through the clouds. 

It was a long day and made it to Imp Shelter. I got some good pictures of the sunset. It was a cold night. It got down to about 40 degrees. 

Day 28 - 11.2 miles

I woke up very sore. My knees both hurt but mainly the right one. I was supposed to meet Moz and Alyssa around 3pm at Pinham Notch. There were some amazing views from Carter Dome. 

 I had to cut about 4 mile out of the AT and take a side trail down. Otherwise I would have never made it down. I was hurting. I was bummed out about this because I didn't want to miss any of the trail, but I think that this was the right call.

They took me to a great resturant called Saalt Pub and then Dunkin' Donuts for dessert. I was very full. This was the last time I will see them on the trail. I can't thank them enough. 

I thought you guys were doctors, not veterinarians? 

Day 29 - Zero in Gorham, NH

Rest, resupply, yoga, sleep, eat

The Hungry Man Breakfast

They had a fancy subway that looks like it was an old bank or something. 

Total miles: 319.4

Miles left: 1,865.9

Enjoy!

Day 18 through 24

Day 18- 13.5 miles

Ready to hike!

Late in the day around 3:30pm it started to rain and I hustled to the lean-to. 

The lean-to filled up quickly. That night two of the people sleeping in the lean-to were having a snoring contest (so it seemed). 

Day 19 - 16.9 miles 

Hard day of hiking today. I went over The Horn and Saddleback mountain at an elevation of 4120ft. It was a lot of rock scrambling and straight climbing up rock faces. Let's put it this way, Mom would be upset if she saw what I did today. 

Got to Piazza Rock lean-to and it was full so I tented. Interesting thing at at Piazza Rock, there was a 2 seat privy (out house) with a cribbage board in between the seats. Nobody wanted to play me, go figure. 

Day 20 - 19.5 miles

Hard day today. In the afternoon I just ran out of gas.  One of very few bridges that I have come across. It was nice not to have to go through a river or jump over it. 

Day 21: 11.3 miles

Hard day again. Got a late start around 9:50am. I didn't make it to a lean-to, I stopped at Sawyer Brook campsite. It was a nice area right next to a brook. No one was there. This was my first night tenting all alone. I must say I was a little scared, but it was a very peaceful nights rest and nothing tried to eat me in my sleep. I went to bed around 8pm and woke up at 5 am. 

Day 22: 15.5 miles 

What a wonderful day!! Went up Baldpate east and west peaks, what amazing views. Once reaching Baldpate east peak I was so happy!!

Then I just got silly!

Then I realized that I still had to climb over west peak ...

and I was sad. 

Then I needed to do some yoga...

And I felt much better!!

When I got to Baldpate lean-to I feasted on the rest of my food because I knew I would meet Mozie the next day. 

Day 23 - Short day 2.3 miles. 

Met Mozie at Grafton Notch. He had a sandwich in the car for me and then took me to the house. Moz and Alyssa prepared an awesome feast that night and I was very full and happy. 

Day 24 - ZERO day!!  

Rest, eat, resupply, eat, rest, meditate, eat, eat, get ready to hike in the morning.

So it goes, enjoy every minute of life. Thank you everyone, especially Moz and Alyssa, they have helped me more than they could ever know. 

Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for your comments!!

I would like to thank everyone for following me on this amazing journey. I love reading your comments and words of encouragement. Please keep them coming it inspires me to remain motivated to push myself physically and mentally. 

I would also like to say that this past weekend a wonderful person passed away. His name was Ryan Corkran. He was my big brother in our fraternaty TKE at Columbus State University. He was a loving, caring and hilarious person. I loved him dearly. His celebration of life was today and I was not able to be there. He was a wonderful person and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family, his wife and children. 

Rest in peace among the clouds Brother, you will be missed. 

Day 10 through 17

Day 10: Zero day (rest day) in Greenville

Eat, sleep, stretch, meditate 

This is Moose Head lake in Greenville. 

Day 11: Zero day in Greenville

Eat, sleep, stretch, meditate 

Day 12:  9.0 miles

Hitched a ride back to the trail and started hiking about 11am. Had to ford one river. It was an easy 9 miles. 

Here's a picture of me at the office.

Day 13: 22.0 miles - my longest day yet

Started at 7:30 am and finished at 8pm. I went over 2 mountains, Moxie Bald and Pleasant Pond mountain. They were about 2,400 ft high. I forded 3 rivers and went over 2 mountains!

One of the rivers I forded had a rope to help get across it. 

Here's another river I crossed. 

Day 14: 19.7 miles

This was a great day of hiking. I had to cross the Kennebec River. This river is controlled by a dam so the water levels and current will change rapidly. So, there was a guy in a canoe that will ferry you across with your pack. Finally!! Crossed a river and didn't get wet! The lean-to I stayed at was right next to a beautiful pond and I got some great pictures of the sunset. 

Day 15:  17.9 miles

Very difficult day, another 13 hour day if hiking. Went over 4 peaks with the highest being about 4,100 ft. Coming down was hard because it was pure bouldering. No trail just huge boulders. Incredible views for the top. It was very powerful. 

This is the view from Little Bigelow's mountain. The mountain in the distance is Bigelow's mountain, which I still had to cross that day. 

Day 16: 5 miles

Here is a view of Bigelow mountain as I was coming down the other side. 

Made it to the road and hitched to Stratton. Got a room and a shower and then it was time to eat an resupply. When I was coming down from the mountain my knee was giving me trouble so I decided to take a day off here. Only about 3 places to eat here but he food is good, although the resupply was expensive. 

Day 17: Zero day

Eat, sleep, stretch, meditate. 

I'm heading out in the morning around 8:30. I will post more in about 5 days.