Saturday, October 4, 2008

Proof...






Along this journey I have have taken 5,412 photographs and kept a daily written journal, however, right now there are no words necessary ... just look at the pictures.

Photos: Climbing Katahdin; me on the summit of Katahdin and at the end of the AT; Jogle; both of us; safely at the bottom with mom and dad

The End

I started this trail in the rain and I finished it in sleet and hail. Two days ago on October 2nd, Jogle and I made it up to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. The 5.2 mile, 4100+ foot climb was tough with a couple of miles of rock scrambles. We started in the rain and less than a quarter of a mile from the top freezing rain, sleet and hail started. It seems this trail just wasn't going to let us finish easily. We made it just the same ... and safely. Luckily for us mom and dad were waiting at the bottom with warm coffee and a car to get us to town and into hot showers.

It still just feels like I'm on a day off. Our bodies feel broken and Jogle is starting the process of trying to put back some of the 30 pounds he lost along the way. We came over to the Maine coast for a day and then we're off to Niagara Falls for a few days of rest before Jogle heads back to England.

It's been a fabulous adventure ... one that I'll never forget. We're now Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and we're through. It's a great accomplishment for both of us and now we're just looking forward to a little rest and down time before we start the next process of re-entry into that other world from which we all came before we started hiking the AT. Thank you to everyone who has given support, sent messages, and told me to keep going ... I'm not sure I could have made it without all of the support I received from friends, family, and especially from Jogle, my hiking partner I met in the woods along this journey.

Sorry no pictures, but this computer blocks all software except the internet. I'll put up our summit photos as soon as I can.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Maine!


As I sit here in Monson, Maine, I'm only 109 miles from the base of Mount Katahdin and 114 miles from completing the Appalachian Trail. My body has fallen to bits, my hiking partner's body and pack are falling to bits, but we're still moving. This is the last stop before the end of the trail and we will start what they call the "100-Mile Wilderness" tomorrow. Everyone is tired, excited and still loving the trail, but the overall consensus is that it's time to end this trip, this hike. Who knew I would actually make it this far ... and without blue-blazing (taking shortcuts), yellow-blazing (hitch hiking), or even slack packing (leaving most of your gear at a hostel and taking only day snacks and being picked up to go back to the hostel that night so you don't have to carry a full pack). Jogle and I aren't called "white blaze kissers" for nothing.

The first half of Maine lived up to it's reputation of being the toughest part of the trail. Starting out in the rain was tough, but the skies cleared and blessed us with 6 days of sunshine to get to where we are now ... just that little 114 from the end. It seems that most people hit their lowest point during that stretch - it's the definition of so close, yet so far away. We made it here in what may not feel like one piece, but in one piece nevertheless.

Like I said ... we leave tomorrow to finish this trail. Seven days through the wilderness and then one day to summit (it's a 4100-foot climb to the end). If all goes well, then we will summit Katahdin on October 1st, which happens to be my hiking partner's (Jogle's) birthday - what a present! Wish us luck and I'll put up another post when this trail is finished.

I've been able to post about 30 photos in the 6 posts below!

Maine Pictures






Jogle fording an easy stream; Moxie Bald Pond; Jogle on Moxie Bald Pond at Sunrise; stream to ford (feet got very wet); unique white blaze on tree

Maine Pics






Jogle and I at 2000 miles!; finally ... a moose; stream; "Captain" Dave - operator of the ferry across the Kennebec River; Jogle preparing for the ferry crossing

More Maine Pics






Changing leaves; Snackies & Wildflowers enjoying lunchtime; sunlight and satisfaction at the summit of North Crocker Mountain (town waiting at the bottom of the mountain); Medium Rare, Snackies, Jogle, Rickles, and Snackies' brother (visiting) at the Stratton Motel; sunset view from Avery Peak of Bigelow Mountain Range

Maine...






View from Spruce Mountain; lots of mud; Eddy Pond; Saddleback Mountain - Katahdin (the trail's end) in the background; view from Saddleback Jr.

More Maine






Grey Jay; Jogle climbing up Baldpate Mountain; Jogle atop Baldpate Mountain; it's good not to get lost; sad, abandoned, wet socks

Maine Photos






Welcome to Maine; Mahoosuc Notch (1.1 mile ravene of jumbled boulders the size of cars and small houses) - next 4 photos

Bear Photos (White Mountains, NH)




White Mountains, NH Photos






Mountains; Jogle on Webster Cliffs; Sunset at Mount Madison; Mt. Washington summit; view from Carter Ridge

Thursday, September 11, 2008

White Mountain Photos







Jogle on Mt. Lafayette; White Mountains; Presidential Range; Jogle on Webster Cliffs; Thoreau Falls