Photos October 5-8 Tom and Kevin and notes

T

Kevin's first view of Mt Katahdin




At The Penobscot River



We did it! October 8, 2014 Mt Katahdin



The four thru hikers-Moose, Teton, Superman and Mexbuki

             Here are some things that Tom has told me about their time together so far.

 

The schedule was pretty aggressive from Sunday through Wednesday with 15 miles, 17 miles, 21 miles each day before making it to the location on Wednesday morning where they would summit. Mt Katahdin. Each of those days they hiked well past dark with headlamps on. The weather forecast was not good on Wednesday morning as they were leaving Baxter State Park but 3 other thru hikers also were eager to get going so they all hiked as a group. To their knowledge they were the only hikers to try and summit at all that day. There is a sign in and out register system set up by the park rangers to make sure each hiker does come back down safely. It rained so much that their phones got quite wet and Tom's phone with these photos has made a recovery; Kevin is going to try the rice bag trick and see if his cell phone  can come back to life. While they were at the very top I am told that the winds were so strong that Tom was pushed over twice while they were getting the photo.

They spent Wednesday night in Portland, Maine, enjoyed their dry beds, showers and a great breakfast before heading out to explore the area on Thursday. Both guys have pretty sore leg muscles right now. Once they have some better internet access they will be making more entries to this blog. As of Thursday October 9 they are in a hotel in Downtown/ Old Port- Portland, Maine exploring the city for a few days before heading home this weekend. I had Kevin promise to try to eat some lobster with butter dripping off his elbow. Perfect!

 Anne

Mt Katadhin in the rear view mirror Whoo Hoo!

Tom, Kevin and 3 other hikers made the climb up and down Mt Katahdin  today in a stinging  rain storm according to Tom. They decided to hike as a group. Tom his knowledge that was the total for the day that hiked to the summit.  Amazing! Can you believe it?  Several other hikers had decided to wait until tomorrow for a better weather day.


Photos will follow as soon as possible.
Tom called as he and Kevin and "Superman" were enjoying  cups of coffee in " to go cups" not  Nalgene bottles on the way to Portland, Maine to explore a bit in a car out of the rain. He called me on "Superman's" phone who also hiked with them today; his was the only phone among them that could get a signal and he also was going to Portland.  I expect the next few days these guys will be enjoying all that life can offer.
Anne

The Appalachian Trail Lodge for Kevin tonight

I have heard from Kevin and  his flights from Austin, Texas to Bangor, Maine went smoothly and his backpack made it as well. He was driving to the Appalachian Trail Lodge for the night and will meet up with Tom in the morning. The staff at the lodge shuttles hikers to and from airports and the trailheads in the area as well as offer lodging, a café,  laundry, showers and some supplies.

Appalachian Trail Lodge, Millinocket, Maine

The plan will be to summit Mt Katahdin on Wednesday or Thursday depending on the weather.

 

 

 

 

Anne



A text and call from the Wilderness!

I had not expected to hear from Tom at all during these few days and imagine my surprise when I receive this text,
"All good so far in the wilderness.  Crazy trail magic at the end of the day yesterday. A guy had seven of us over to his cabin with a generator and a well. He fed us dinner, let us sleep on his bunks and fed us a great breakfast this morning before we left!"
Wild!
Tom was on a peak and tried to call. We had a short conversation that dropped a few times .  Looks like a rainy weekend for Kevin's arrival he said.

Anne

Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness

If you look at the map below, Monson, Maine is where Tom departed October 1. The goal is Baxter State Park in this next week and soon he will be able to see Mt Katahdin off in the distance.



Mt Katahdin

 

It is estimated that 2-3 million hikers visit and hike a portion of the Appalachian trail each year. In any given year thousands begin the journey with the intention to hike a thru hike. Only about 25% actually are able to complete the trek in 12 months. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recognizes any hiker that completes the entire AT in a 12 month period as a "2,000 -miler." The phrase originated in the 1970's after 10 people completed a thru hike. That year,  Ed Garvey published a book entitled, Appalachian Hiker: Adventure of a Lifetime, after his thru hike.

This year a record number of northbound thru-hikers have passed through the AT headquarters office in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Along with Tom, 1,267 hikers have registered at that midway point as of September 16, 2014, which beats last years total by 137 hikers.

In 2013 the  total number of hikers who completed a thru northbound hike was 875.

If you have an interest in the history or any further information this is the  web site,

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

 

Anne

Monson, Maine September 30, 2014 -Mile 2070

Lakeshore House, Monson, Maine
 
The Lakeshore House  is the location that Tom spent Tuesday night, September 30, 2014.  There are 110 remaining miles in his hike!  Tomorrow the hikers will start hiking the 100 mile wilderness area. It is generally considered the wildest section of the Appalachian Trail, and one of the most challenging to navigate and traverse. This section of the A.T. is crossed by several logging roads and is maintained by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club.  Kevin will be joining Tom the morning of October 5.  It is likely that the next communication will be once Tom and Kevin actually are at the summit; which is Baxter Peak on Mt. Katahdin; Maine's highest mountain.   This is scheduled to be October 8 or 9 weather depending. Photos will be posted as soon as available.

 

 

Maine and over 2,000 miles complete!

Tom is trekking on and passed Stratton, Maine this week. He tells me that he was able to take the first shower in nine days! yikes!
He saw a moose this morning and snow was expected in some of the higher elevations. Kevin will join him on October 4.  I packed their hiker boxes and mailed them yesterday; Kevin's with some skittles as requested and Tom's with some chocolate bars.
Tom sounds actually energized and knowing that there are less than 200 miles to go is encouraging. The wireless signals are few and far between in Maine and I will hear an update again in about 5 days when he reaches The Lakeshore House in Monsoon, Maine. He tells me that many folks are on the trail now and the hikers are all trying to finish before October 15 when the end point, Katahdin, is closed for the season due to weather conditions.
I am posting his photos...the beautiful views speak for themselves.
Anne.

Hiking Mahoosuc Notch

Hiking the notch with Peter Rodegast



Trail Angel "Looney Laurie" gave me a ride back to the trailhead from Rangeley but wanted to show me Small Falls first

Scrambles, who I had not seen since Gatlinburg!