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 February 28th I started hiking the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain in Georgia.  When I [...]

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 me yet.  I did cry a bit when I got to the sign.  Were just [...]

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.  I got going really quick.  The view at Abol Bridge of Katahdin was great.  I [...]

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 get a wonderful view of Katahdin up there.  The hiking seemed to drag on before [...]

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. The plan was to get up late and hike to White House Landing for lunch.  [...]

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 views today.  The best part was probably at Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to.  It had a [...]

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 in by 11:30am.  That’s the first time in a while.  Lunch was at Carl Newhall [...]

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 so tough.  I had to wring my shirt out every time I stopped. I had [...]

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. I went to the laundry and PO.  It was Africa hot out today.  So humid [...]

Day 145, 07-22-01 Bald Mtn. – Monson “Pie Ladies” 18.7 miles, AT  – 2050.3 I woke up to these two people from Holland banging and throwing pots around.  I was pissed.  They were so noisy.  I did the worst packing job of my pack in a while.  I kept forgetting stuff. I didn’t or couldn’t see Katahadin from the top of Moxie Bald.  The air quality wasn’t so good.  Too Humid.  Later down the trail, I forged [...]