Hours. That’s the amount of time it took for someone to ask me which trail (Appalachian and Pacific Crest) I liked better and which was harder upon finishing my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike.  It’s not something you can easily explain to someone who’s never done either. Rocks, roots, mud, humidity, ticks, leaches, and mosquitoes are what you’ll find on the [...]

The Leach Story So if you think I’m some tough bad ass hiker dude because of my 1000′s of miles of hiking, this story may change your mind some.  It will tell you how a tiny little creature turned this trail harden man into a screaming school girl.  (No offense ladies)  -scatman I was on my first ever thru-hike.  On [...]

Day 153, 07-30-01 Daisy Pond Lean-to – Katahdin 12.8 miles, AT — 2168 I’ve done it! I’m sitting on top as I write.  The climb was a piece of cake.  I love it.  Jeff and I climbed like champs.  There were only a handful of people up here when I summited.  There are tons of people now. It hasn’t hit [...]

Day 152, 07-29-01 Hurd Brook – Daisy Pond Lean-to 11.0 miles, AT — 2157.0 No E.T. camping.  The bugs weren’t too bad.  We had an owl come into camp right as I started the fire.  Mortis and Jeff went to bed.  I stayed up w/ the fire. None of us could sleep in the am.  We were up at 6am.  [...]

Day 151, 07-28-01 Wadleigh – Hurd Brook Lean-to 19.6 miles, AT — 2149.5 The mosquitoes were bad last night.  I was happy to be in my tent.  Jeff and I talked a bunch from within our tents.  Neither of us could sleep. We got up late around 8am.  The climb up Nesuntabunt Mtn. was tougher than I expected.  I did [...]

Day 150, 07-27-01 Antlers Campsite – Wadleigh Stream Lean-to 13.6 miles, AT — 2129.9 What a great night!  Antlers Campsite was the best.  It’s the most beautiful spot yet.  The sun woke me up at 5 or so but I didn’t get up till 7am.  I thought it was about 8:30 but I was wrong.  So much for sleeping in. [...]

Day 149 07-26-01 Logen Brook – Antlers Campsite 19.6 miles, AT — 2116.3 I slept great last night.  Got a late start at 8:40am.  The weather was perfect hiking weather.  Even now it’s wonderful.  The hike itself was a snap except for two tiny climbs.  Other than those two I didn’t break a sweet.  I wasn’t overly excited about the [...]

Day 148, 07-25-01 Chairback – Logan Brook Lean-to 17.1 — miles, AT — 2096.7 I didn’t sleep well at all.  The shelter deck was very uneven.  I kept sliding down.  Plus it was hot until it rained. The trail was very easy compare to the last couple of days.  The humidity was greatly less today.  I actually had 10 miles [...]

Day 147 07-24-01 Day 147 Wilson Valley – Chairback Lean-to 15.6 miles, AT — 2079.6 Day of Rain 35 There was a mouse running around last night.  I was scared he was going to get into my 6 days of food.  I didn’t sleep well at all. I got going slowly.  It was 93% humidity and about 85-90°.  Hiking was [...]

Day 146, 07-23-01 Monson – Wilson Valley Lean-to 13.7 miles, AT – 2064.0 Didn’t sleep well.  I forgot to mention that I saw a deer (?) in Maine.  None in NH.  I also saw a linx or a Bobcat yesterday. We all had breakfast at the Pie Lady’s.  The pancakes were over cooked.  Mom would have loved the beacon, crispy. [...]