It’s been a long time since I stood atop Katahdin and a lot has happened. I hiked Isle Royale for a few weeks, toured Upper Michigan and Wisconsin for work and put off the Peace Corps for the time being.
I got back and started work doing invasive species research with Michigan Tech University. I adopted [...]
Final Thoughts
Heading Home
After arriving at the airport I ate and cleaned up in the bathroom. I called my friends and family and fell asleep on the floor waiting for my flight the next morning. The flight was easy and I got into Detroit in the early afternoon to find Hannah waiting for me. I couldn’t have been [...]
Day 106 – Katahdin and the End of the Line
Katahdin Stream Campground, ME to The End of the Line: Daily miles 5.2, Total miles 2176.8
The end. I could barely sleep all night. I felt like I was 6 years old waiting for Christmas. I got out of my sleeping bag at 5:30 waking up don Juan, who wanted to sleep more. I packed up [...]
Day 105 – Katahdin Stream Campground, ME
Wadleigh Stream Lean-To, ME to Katahdin Stream Campground, ME: Daily miles 33.0, Total miles 2171.3
Holy Shit! the last full day of hiking. I’ve almost made it. Five miles left. Long painful day. Struggled with every step. But I made it! don Juan and I got up early and hit the trail hard. We pushed through [...]
Day 104 – Wadleigh Stream Lean To, ME
East Branch Lean-To, ME to Wadleigh Stream Lean-To, ME: Daily miles 29.6, Total miles 2138.3
Long day today on tired legs and sore feet. It is impossible to take it easy when I am so close I can feel it. I caught several more great views of Katahdin today. It is almost too much to bear. [...]
Day 103 – East Branch Lean To, ME
Cloud Pond Lean-To, ME to East Branch Lean-To, ME: Daily miles 27.6, Total miles 2108.7
Getting moving now and it becomes more real with every step. I could never describe the excitement, the sense of accomplishment, the fear of coming to the end of the endless trail, and the desire to be finished. It is a [...]
Day 102 – Cloud Pond Lean To, ME
Shaw’s Hostel, Monson, ME to Cloud Pond Lean-To, ME: Daily miles 20.1, Total miles 2081.1
Into the 100 mile wilderness. There is a sign that says how dangerous it is and how remote and that you need a minimum of 10 days of food. When I saw the sign I laughed. I have 4 days worth. [...]
Day 101 – Shaw’s Hostel, Monson, ME
Moxie Bald Lean-To, ME to Shaw’s Hostel, Monson, ME: Daily miles 14.6, Total miles 2061.0
Made it Monson on a beautiful day. Had an easy cruise and were celebrating and joyous the whole time. Walked into Monson off the blue blaze trail and had a good ol’ time. Monson has been a goal since the beginning. [...]
Day 100 – Moxie Bald Lean-To, ME
West Carry Pond Lean-To, ME to Moxie Bald Lean-To, ME: Daily miles 32.8, Total miles 2046.4
Huge day. Slept well last night after getting to swim before bed. I didn’t sleep well this morning. The no-see-ums came out around 4AM and that was the end of my sleep. Crazy Legs was having the same problem and [...]
Day 99 – West Carry Pond Lean To, ME
Stratton Inn, Stratton, ME to West Carry Pond Lean-To, ME: Daily miles 22.6, Total miles 2013.6
Got out early and had a good day on trail. The weather was great and the views on top of the Bigelows were great. Avery Peak was amazing, you could see all of the flatland into the distance, but no [...]
