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 [...]

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 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. [...]

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 [...]

Day 144, 07-12-01 Pierce Pond – Bald Mtn. Lean-to 18.7 miles, AT – 2031.6 I was awake early but I stayed in bed for what seemed forever.  The loons called throughout the evening and in the AM.  Listening to the loons is so peaceful.  I love it. I got down to the Kennewick River pretty early.  I wanted to swim across but [...]