25.5 miles, 2132.4 total.
rain finally stopped at 3:00 this morning so I didn't have to walk in it today, BUT the trail is soaking wet again which makes for rough going. ugh!
trail was mostly flat, mostly. we went through more really cool forests and had to ford a very fast flowing stream over slippery rocks. it was crazy!
the mosquitoes were out of control today. I was afraid to stop for a break because they might eat me. as i hiked behind one of the Amigos i could see the mosquito cloud following him. really really bad.
at the end of the day I took a .9 mile side trail to the a boat dock in a secluded cove on a lake. next to the dock is an airhorn. I blew the airhorn once and it echoed eerily all across the lake and valley. then...someone on the other side of the lake came across in a fishing boat and took me to the other side where this hostel is located. really very cool. they cooked a wonderful meal and I had beer and ice cream; great combo for a thru hiker. I'm am dry and will be sleeping in a warm dry bed. it feels good.
45 miles to go.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Showing posts with label hostels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hostels. Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monson, ME - Shaw's Hiker Hostel
17.9 miles, 2063.8 total.
early start today because we were excited about making our last official trail town stop. town time is always exciting!
the trail was awful again today. very muddy and wet. several times my poles sunk into the ground up to their handles. I'm surprised I haven't snapped them in half yet.
nothing spectacular today other than the fact that of didn't rain until we were done hiking. very nice.
staying at Shaw's, a famous hostel - among hikers. they offer a $7 all you can eat breakfast. you order by giving them one number - 1,2,3,4,5,etc. the number is how many of each item you will receive. if you order 3: you get 3 eggs, 3 blueberry pancakes, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 sausage links, and 3 scoops of hash-browns. wow.
tomorrow I will begin the 100 mile wilderness. it's touted as the most remote stretch of the entire trail. then it's just about 15 miles to the finish!
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
early start today because we were excited about making our last official trail town stop. town time is always exciting!
the trail was awful again today. very muddy and wet. several times my poles sunk into the ground up to their handles. I'm surprised I haven't snapped them in half yet.
nothing spectacular today other than the fact that of didn't rain until we were done hiking. very nice.
staying at Shaw's, a famous hostel - among hikers. they offer a $7 all you can eat breakfast. you order by giving them one number - 1,2,3,4,5,etc. the number is how many of each item you will receive. if you order 3: you get 3 eggs, 3 blueberry pancakes, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 sausage links, and 3 scoops of hash-browns. wow.
tomorrow I will begin the 100 mile wilderness. it's touted as the most remote stretch of the entire trail. then it's just about 15 miles to the finish!
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Monday, July 20, 2009
caratunk, me
14.0 miles, 2027.1 total, 151.2 to go.
another very cool night with bugs buzzing outside my tent. left camp at 8:30.
trail was flat, flat, flat. hiked next to pierce pond river for a couple hours and saw several beautiful waterfalls. also got to go across the AT famous Kennebec river. we had to wave to the "ferry driver" who waits on the other side of the river. he paddles across in his canoe and takes back two hikers at a time, and the hiker in front is required to paddle. it's about 50 yards wide, 8-10 feet deep, and flows very very fast. cool.
right after the river is caratunk, where we had mailed extra food for the next few days. we got the packages from the post office and someone offered to drive us to a nearby restaurant for a late lunch. it turns out it is also a hostel/river rafting lodge...and it's really cheap. so we're staying here tonight. $12 per person with all the usual offerings. here with the amigos. this doesn't change the schedule and plan for the rest of the trip. at this time, looks like the five of us will summit Mt. Katahdin, Baxter Peak (end of the U.S. AT) on July 28th. that's 5 months and 2 days after I started this journey. wow. amazing.
the amigos are the 4 guys from cincy. they're all very athletic, in much better shape and younger than I am (by about 13 years!), but it's great to hike with them.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
another very cool night with bugs buzzing outside my tent. left camp at 8:30.
trail was flat, flat, flat. hiked next to pierce pond river for a couple hours and saw several beautiful waterfalls. also got to go across the AT famous Kennebec river. we had to wave to the "ferry driver" who waits on the other side of the river. he paddles across in his canoe and takes back two hikers at a time, and the hiker in front is required to paddle. it's about 50 yards wide, 8-10 feet deep, and flows very very fast. cool.
right after the river is caratunk, where we had mailed extra food for the next few days. we got the packages from the post office and someone offered to drive us to a nearby restaurant for a late lunch. it turns out it is also a hostel/river rafting lodge...and it's really cheap. so we're staying here tonight. $12 per person with all the usual offerings. here with the amigos. this doesn't change the schedule and plan for the rest of the trip. at this time, looks like the five of us will summit Mt. Katahdin, Baxter Peak (end of the U.S. AT) on July 28th. that's 5 months and 2 days after I started this journey. wow. amazing.
the amigos are the 4 guys from cincy. they're all very athletic, in much better shape and younger than I am (by about 13 years!), but it's great to hike with them.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Thursday, July 16, 2009
gull pond lodge - rangeley, me
9.4 miles, 1958.3 total.
left camp at 8:00 knowing we only had about 10 miles to go to rangeley. I ran out of water treatment last night, my pole bent a little more while I was trying to keep from falling into a giant mud hole, and I'm almost out of insect repellent, so I need to go to an outfitter. rangeley is the last trail town with anything close to an outfitter. they also have a big grocery store, so we're going to buy extra groceries and mail them ahead to a post office on the trail. that way we don't have to go to another town until monson.
stating at this hostel that is completely filled with NOBO hikers. looks like I'm in a big pack - that hasn't happened much.
getting closer. have two really tough days coming up - big climbs - then things flatten out a bit.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
left camp at 8:00 knowing we only had about 10 miles to go to rangeley. I ran out of water treatment last night, my pole bent a little more while I was trying to keep from falling into a giant mud hole, and I'm almost out of insect repellent, so I need to go to an outfitter. rangeley is the last trail town with anything close to an outfitter. they also have a big grocery store, so we're going to buy extra groceries and mail them ahead to a post office on the trail. that way we don't have to go to another town until monson.
stating at this hostel that is completely filled with NOBO hikers. looks like I'm in a big pack - that hasn't happened much.
getting closer. have two really tough days coming up - big climbs - then things flatten out a bit.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, July 10, 2009
gorham, nh
this entry actually covers July 9&10. it will probablybe long and I will ramble a bit. quit now, if you want.
I left galehead hut at 5:00 AM to get an early start to what was planned to be a 21 mile day. long compared to others recently. the first 1/2 mile was straight up south twin mtn - 4902 ft - and then the next 7 mile were downhill. I flew. it was cloudy but not too wet. I got to the next hut in time for their breakfast leftovers. yummy pancakes with lots of syrup. then the next 8 miles were a combo of flat with no rocks (yea!) and downhill. again, I flew.
after that, it was back up. up to mt webster, mt jackson, (wow, that's weird. didn't michael jackson like that little kid from the show webster?). then I got to the next hut. it was still early and I was still moving at a good clip, but it began to rain. I needed to get over mt pierce and mt franklin to get to the next hut. it was very dark and rainy...and I fell on a big boulder. it's a little hard to describe. my feet both flew out from under me and I landed on my side, sliding down the boulder about 50 feet. when I got controll of everything I noticed my hands were bloody. I cut the heel of each palm, the outside of my right hand under the pinky, and the big one - my right ring finger was missing a whole lot of skin from just under the nail to the first knuckle. it was the one bleeding significantly. I cleaned up everything and took off for the last shelter; still about 2 miles away. when I got there the bandage in my finger was very bloody and the hut master thought I should have somebody look at it. so we cleaned and bandaged it again, and I set of for the top of mt washington - about 1.5 miles away. I hiked with two others who were already planning on going there. got there and a nurse looked at my boo-boos and bandaged them all up. no stitches needed but the cut goes almost to the bone. cool. also, my entire shoulder is bruised, I have cuts/scrapes from my elbow to my wrist, and a cut and lump between my eyes - where my glasses slammed into my pretty little face.
anyway - it turned out to be a 27 mile day. somehow. then...there's nowhere to stay on mt washington and it was late, so I had somebody drive me to a hostel in gorham.
I stayed at the hostel and decided to slack pack on the 10th to just get the whites done and over with. the hostel gave me a small pack and I only carried a tarp, emergency bivy, rain jacket, snacks, and water. it was less than 8 pounds. the hostel held the rest of my stuff and gave me a ride to and from the trail. I did 2 sections. one in the morning from 5 to 11 and one in the afternoon from 12:30 to 8. that's one heck of a double shift. I got a total of 34+ miles done during the day - carrying very little and moving quickly with no rain; although, it was still overcast with low clouds so I couldn't see any of the mountains. ugh.
that leaves me at 1880.4 miles total with 297.9 to go!!!
I think that's all for now.
-- Post From My iPhone
I left galehead hut at 5:00 AM to get an early start to what was planned to be a 21 mile day. long compared to others recently. the first 1/2 mile was straight up south twin mtn - 4902 ft - and then the next 7 mile were downhill. I flew. it was cloudy but not too wet. I got to the next hut in time for their breakfast leftovers. yummy pancakes with lots of syrup. then the next 8 miles were a combo of flat with no rocks (yea!) and downhill. again, I flew.
after that, it was back up. up to mt webster, mt jackson, (wow, that's weird. didn't michael jackson like that little kid from the show webster?). then I got to the next hut. it was still early and I was still moving at a good clip, but it began to rain. I needed to get over mt pierce and mt franklin to get to the next hut. it was very dark and rainy...and I fell on a big boulder. it's a little hard to describe. my feet both flew out from under me and I landed on my side, sliding down the boulder about 50 feet. when I got controll of everything I noticed my hands were bloody. I cut the heel of each palm, the outside of my right hand under the pinky, and the big one - my right ring finger was missing a whole lot of skin from just under the nail to the first knuckle. it was the one bleeding significantly. I cleaned up everything and took off for the last shelter; still about 2 miles away. when I got there the bandage in my finger was very bloody and the hut master thought I should have somebody look at it. so we cleaned and bandaged it again, and I set of for the top of mt washington - about 1.5 miles away. I hiked with two others who were already planning on going there. got there and a nurse looked at my boo-boos and bandaged them all up. no stitches needed but the cut goes almost to the bone. cool. also, my entire shoulder is bruised, I have cuts/scrapes from my elbow to my wrist, and a cut and lump between my eyes - where my glasses slammed into my pretty little face.
anyway - it turned out to be a 27 mile day. somehow. then...there's nowhere to stay on mt washington and it was late, so I had somebody drive me to a hostel in gorham.
I stayed at the hostel and decided to slack pack on the 10th to just get the whites done and over with. the hostel gave me a small pack and I only carried a tarp, emergency bivy, rain jacket, snacks, and water. it was less than 8 pounds. the hostel held the rest of my stuff and gave me a ride to and from the trail. I did 2 sections. one in the morning from 5 to 11 and one in the afternoon from 12:30 to 8. that's one heck of a double shift. I got a total of 34+ miles done during the day - carrying very little and moving quickly with no rain; although, it was still overcast with low clouds so I couldn't see any of the mountains. ugh.
that leaves me at 1880.4 miles total with 297.9 to go!!!
I think that's all for now.
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
chet's hostel - Lincoln, NH
9.0 miles, 1805.7 total.
short wet day. left camp early to climb kinsman mtn. it has south and north peaks. climb was from 2500 to 4350 then down a bit then back up to 4300. then down all the way to 1450. again, it was straight up and down over crazy rocks. it's mentally and physically draining. I don't think I've felt this drained for a long time. half way down it started to...pour on me. surprise!!!
I got to the highway and decided to call this guy chet to see of he had room at his place. he has a small hostel in his house and offers a shuttle to and from the trail.
i'll wait out the rain again because I have to climb mt lafayette next. it goes from 1450 to 5250 and I can't start it halfway through the day in the rain. no way. I have about 75 miles to gorham, nh. it's rumored to be better trail after that town. we will see. I'm about to hit the toughest part of the white mountains, the presidential range. mtns Lincoln, Garfield, Pierce, Franklin, Washington (biggest), Madison, Carter, Hayes, maybe more...I'm getting tired thinking about all of them. it will be slow going, but hopefully the weather will be nicer. doubt it.
I'm ready to be finished now. :)
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
short wet day. left camp early to climb kinsman mtn. it has south and north peaks. climb was from 2500 to 4350 then down a bit then back up to 4300. then down all the way to 1450. again, it was straight up and down over crazy rocks. it's mentally and physically draining. I don't think I've felt this drained for a long time. half way down it started to...pour on me. surprise!!!
I got to the highway and decided to call this guy chet to see of he had room at his place. he has a small hostel in his house and offers a shuttle to and from the trail.
i'll wait out the rain again because I have to climb mt lafayette next. it goes from 1450 to 5250 and I can't start it halfway through the day in the rain. no way. I have about 75 miles to gorham, nh. it's rumored to be better trail after that town. we will see. I'm about to hit the toughest part of the white mountains, the presidential range. mtns Lincoln, Garfield, Pierce, Franklin, Washington (biggest), Madison, Carter, Hayes, maybe more...I'm getting tired thinking about all of them. it will be slow going, but hopefully the weather will be nicer. doubt it.
I'm ready to be finished now. :)
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, July 5, 2009
hikers welcome hostel
14.6 miles, 1779.8 total.
tonto was up very early to get a head start on the big climb, and he slipped and fell outside the privy...and knocked himself out when his head hit the ground. nobody noticed until he had been gone for 30 minutes. then he came around the corner shaky and woozy. one of the other hikers checked him out and made sure he was ok. we tried to get him to sit for a while but he took off down the trail. it turns out he is ok, but it just goes to show you that every step is important and dangerous out here.
I went up mt cube and had very nice views because it was actually sunny today!! it was a tough climb up a lot of quartz-like rocks that were jagged and slippery. I caught up with tonto in the afternoon and he looked okay. I decided to stay here at the hostel to make sure i've got everything I need or the White Mountains. also, I need to do laundry. it seems very laid back here...and cheap. only $15 for the night including a shower and load of laundry. cool. it was very nice today - until tonight when it started to rain again. ugh.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
tonto was up very early to get a head start on the big climb, and he slipped and fell outside the privy...and knocked himself out when his head hit the ground. nobody noticed until he had been gone for 30 minutes. then he came around the corner shaky and woozy. one of the other hikers checked him out and made sure he was ok. we tried to get him to sit for a while but he took off down the trail. it turns out he is ok, but it just goes to show you that every step is important and dangerous out here.
I went up mt cube and had very nice views because it was actually sunny today!! it was a tough climb up a lot of quartz-like rocks that were jagged and slippery. I caught up with tonto in the afternoon and he looked okay. I decided to stay here at the hostel to make sure i've got everything I need or the White Mountains. also, I need to do laundry. it seems very laid back here...and cheap. only $15 for the night including a shower and load of laundry. cool. it was very nice today - until tonight when it started to rain again. ugh.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Friday, May 22, 2009
Cove Mtn. shelter
25.5 miles, 1133.2 total.
Last night was okay, but very buggy. Indiana Jones showed up around 8:00 so we ate together and chatted before calling it a night. Nick and Sara (from Texas and Kansas) showed up this morning just before 8:00 and we hit the trail soon after. The elevation profile looked really flat so we decided to have some fun. We were about 30 miles from Duncannon, PA, so we thought it appropriate to have our own Duncannon-ball Run. I played the part of Sammy Davis, Jr. :)
We took off at a pace somewhere between 4.5 mph and 5.5 mph, and we completed the first 4.8 miles in just over an hour. We spent an hour in Boiling Springs to rest, snack, and refill water. Then left there at the same blistering pace. Nick and Sara dropped back a bit, but Indy and I kept up the speed. Flying through farmers' fields and cattle pastures, across highways and interstates, and next to slow moving stagnant streams chased by mosquito swarms. Late in the afternoon it became apparent that we were not going to be able to complete it. sad. :(
The trail went back into the woods and straight up several very rocky sections and we (I) lost steam. Finally made it to this shelter around 7:30, just in time to set up camp and have something to eat before it started getting dark on this side of the mtn. Here with Indy and a group of recent grads from Temple U. They don't hike much and are having a rough time with their food, tents, and water.
So I failed at completing/winning the Duncannon-ball Run. Nobody won. We're all tired and sore...but tomorrow we only have 4+ miles to get to town. Nice. Can't wait to do laundry and shower. By the way, once again the weather was very nice. Forecast is for rain in the next couple of days, but I couldn't have asked for better weather for the past week. Very nice.
Later,
L.
Last night was okay, but very buggy. Indiana Jones showed up around 8:00 so we ate together and chatted before calling it a night. Nick and Sara (from Texas and Kansas) showed up this morning just before 8:00 and we hit the trail soon after. The elevation profile looked really flat so we decided to have some fun. We were about 30 miles from Duncannon, PA, so we thought it appropriate to have our own Duncannon-ball Run. I played the part of Sammy Davis, Jr. :)
We took off at a pace somewhere between 4.5 mph and 5.5 mph, and we completed the first 4.8 miles in just over an hour. We spent an hour in Boiling Springs to rest, snack, and refill water. Then left there at the same blistering pace. Nick and Sara dropped back a bit, but Indy and I kept up the speed. Flying through farmers' fields and cattle pastures, across highways and interstates, and next to slow moving stagnant streams chased by mosquito swarms. Late in the afternoon it became apparent that we were not going to be able to complete it. sad. :(
The trail went back into the woods and straight up several very rocky sections and we (I) lost steam. Finally made it to this shelter around 7:30, just in time to set up camp and have something to eat before it started getting dark on this side of the mtn. Here with Indy and a group of recent grads from Temple U. They don't hike much and are having a rough time with their food, tents, and water.
So I failed at completing/winning the Duncannon-ball Run. Nobody won. We're all tired and sore...but tomorrow we only have 4+ miles to get to town. Nice. Can't wait to do laundry and shower. By the way, once again the weather was very nice. Forecast is for rain in the next couple of days, but I couldn't have asked for better weather for the past week. Very nice.
Later,
L.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
bear's den hostel
18.3 miles, 993.1 total.
slept in this morning and didn't get on the trail until 8:30. original plan was to go 15 miles but it became clear early on that I'd be done by 2 or 3, so I decided to go an extra 3+ to get to this infamous hostel that is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and operated by former thru hikers.
turns out it was a good idea because the hostel is located at a spot on the trail that is about halfway through something called The Rollercoaster. 13.5 miles of trail containing 10 ups and downs of 300 to 500 ft. each, and most of the trail is covered with rocks and tree roots. really rough on the feet and tires you out quickly.
hostel is great. it's located at the top of a mtn. near an overlook spot with loads of boulders and caves. ppl are great here and I'm seeing a lot of hikers I haven't seen in a while. really cool old old stone building that has almost 30 bunks, a common area, laundry facilities, fully stocked kitchen, laetge dining room, computer area and a huge yard - if you want to sleep in your tent instead of inside. looks like I'll make harpers ferry tomorrow after a nice night's rest here.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
slept in this morning and didn't get on the trail until 8:30. original plan was to go 15 miles but it became clear early on that I'd be done by 2 or 3, so I decided to go an extra 3+ to get to this infamous hostel that is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and operated by former thru hikers.
turns out it was a good idea because the hostel is located at a spot on the trail that is about halfway through something called The Rollercoaster. 13.5 miles of trail containing 10 ups and downs of 300 to 500 ft. each, and most of the trail is covered with rocks and tree roots. really rough on the feet and tires you out quickly.
hostel is great. it's located at the top of a mtn. near an overlook spot with loads of boulders and caves. ppl are great here and I'm seeing a lot of hikers I haven't seen in a while. really cool old old stone building that has almost 30 bunks, a common area, laundry facilities, fully stocked kitchen, laetge dining room, computer area and a huge yard - if you want to sleep in your tent instead of inside. looks like I'll make harpers ferry tomorrow after a nice night's rest here.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Damascus, VA
10.2 miles, 463 total.
got an early start thanks to the noisy scouts and busy bugs (gnats). packed up and was on the trail by 7:30. mostly downhill with only a few little ups. I crossed into Virginia around 9:30 and got into town before 11:00 AM. very easy quick hike.
staying at the Hiker's Inn Hostel with 5 other hikers. this town is small but very busy. a lot of hikers stop here and there is a major VA bike trail (Virginia creeper trail) that goes through town so I've seen a bunch of cyclists.
nobody can help me with my stitching needs, so the guys at Mt. Rogers Outfitters called ULA, the company that makes my backpack, to explain what was happening with the pack. Brian, ULA Owner, talked to me and apologized for the problems. he's shipping me a new pack tomorrow and it will be sent to Atkins, VA, my next stop. very cool. I think my tent will hold up for now - I restitched it with thread provided by the hostel owner. I've decided I need to get new shoes - mine are worn out already. I hate buying shoes.
taking a zero day tomorrow to relax and see if the weather gets any better.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
got an early start thanks to the noisy scouts and busy bugs (gnats). packed up and was on the trail by 7:30. mostly downhill with only a few little ups. I crossed into Virginia around 9:30 and got into town before 11:00 AM. very easy quick hike.
staying at the Hiker's Inn Hostel with 5 other hikers. this town is small but very busy. a lot of hikers stop here and there is a major VA bike trail (Virginia creeper trail) that goes through town so I've seen a bunch of cyclists.
nobody can help me with my stitching needs, so the guys at Mt. Rogers Outfitters called ULA, the company that makes my backpack, to explain what was happening with the pack. Brian, ULA Owner, talked to me and apologized for the problems. he's shipping me a new pack tomorrow and it will be sent to Atkins, VA, my next stop. very cool. I think my tent will hold up for now - I restitched it with thread provided by the hostel owner. I've decided I need to get new shoes - mine are worn out already. I hate buying shoes.
taking a zero day tomorrow to relax and see if the weather gets any better.
later,
L
-- Post From My iPhone
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