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!