Gorham to Katahdin

                                                              From Gorham to Katahdin

We made it into Maine on July 15th, mile 1908.0, the final section of my hike from Rock Fish Gap, VA. I now had 281.4 miles to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. The end was in sight! The final leg of the trail had strenuous climbs and long flats, a simple beauty and quietness.

The fun and excitement of hiking over, under, and through the Mahoosuc Notch, is considered the toughest mile of the AT by some.  What a blast! The climb up Baldpate was awesome with its views.

The weekend in Andover was refreshing with Betty, Ragnar, Coffee and Guinness at The Cabin, a hostel with our hosts, Honey, Bear, and Hopper (not shown in this picture).

We enjoyed incredible meals at The Cabin in Andover. Here Guinness, Ragnar, Coffee, and I enjoy a delicious breakfast before slack packing for the day.

A little bit of Trail Magic at the trail head in Andover. There's nothing like a cold beer at the end of a long day of hiking, thanks to Betty.

I am heading back to the trail toward Rangeley after a restful weekend at The Cabin with Betty. See you at Katahdin in a few weeks!

Then we were up and over Bemis Mountain, and down to Rangeley with the much anticipated climb up Saddle Back.

On the trail along Flagstaff Lake, we met a group of guys helping their neighbor, Rick, who has ALS fulfill his dream of walking the AT. Then we found the beauty of Pierce Pond with breakfast at Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camp and the much anticipated ferry ride across the Kennebec River. The exhilarating climb up Crocker, Avery and the Bigelows with their awesome views.

The 100 Mile Wilderness presented a chance to reconnect, "to walk with the trees". There was a sense of the sacred as I walked among huge Eastern White Pine, Hemlock, and Spruce their beauty riviling the old growth of the Southern Yellow Pines of southern Arkansas.

First view of Katahdin!

I entered Baxter State Park on August 11 and on August 12th summited Katahdin to the cheers of Ragnar, Coffee, Guinness, Finn, and Redd Mage.  The descent was accomplished with the support of Tim (Coffee). The green Explorer with Betty at the end of the Abol Trail in the rain was a welcome sight. 1300 miles completed; 800 miles to go.  What a journey!     

As Ragnar said, “It is not about the trail but the people you meet.” I have met and walked with the best of those on the trail. As I sit here patiently awaiting my back to heal, I am filled with gratitude to all those who supported me on this part of an incredible journey. Thanks to all of you for your support, on and off the trail. Hopefully I will be back on the trail in mid-September. With more to       come!