Exceptional views and epic magic of trails in Maine

This morning, I woke up at the place of my camp next to the river while I was still dark. Today I only have to go to 15.4 miles before coming to the road. Where an angel of path named Mike will come and pick me up. But lately the land has been very slow. So I wanted to have a good start early to allow me to go to the road at 1 pm.

I had to use my lighthouse during the first 10-15 minutes this morning. At 4:30 am, the sun has emerged, but the forest is still quite dark. My body moved quite slow this morning and the rocky terrain did not facilitate things. But I took my time and went as quickly as I could. He had approximately 2 miles to the trail down before starting the next climb. I spent the camp that was originally intended to arrive yesterday. And, of course, miles prior to it were quite easy. It could definitely have arrived there last night. But I don’t regret calling it a little.

The path dropped me to a river before starting to climb to the other side. This morning, I have a lot of elevation gain to do. But I’m really quite excited about that. I find that the miles in which I go up much faster than miles when I go downhill. Once I started climbing, I had a prettier and steep ascent towards the armchair. Many of the increases in Maine and New Hampshire follow a similar structure. Usually, the climb will begin very long and steep. That leads you to a base elevation. From there, you will climb to the 4000 -foot mountain that you climb. I really like this climbing style because it usually obtains most of the increase in elevation initially.

The climbing did not take long to start this morning.

That was definitely the case today. While I went up to Saddleback Junior, I found a couple of older women. They had a magic bag of trails they were giving. And they are currently making a long section of the path. Almost at the same time I saw a Pine Martin! I think this is probably the room I’ve seen. They are definitely a rather elusive animal, and it always feels like an honor to witness one in nature. Similar to my previous experiences, when I caught the attention of animals, became quite curious of me. I have a great video of the little one who looked at me. And I could even get the attention of hikers to the north to show them that Pine Martin too.

The first highest point of the day was Poplar Ridge, before Saddleback Junior.

The Junior Saddleback climb was initially steep. But as I said before, I’ve really been enjoying the climbs here. They are really one of the only moments when I am not stressed to make time. My body feels strong and I never have to stop in promotions. My body exactly what I had to do. I ended up going through a shelter and grabbed some water before continuing to the top. There would be no other water source until I got up and on the armchair and horn.

Incredible bright and early views this morning.

After climbing Junior Saddleback, I had a rather steep descent. But fortunately he did not continue for a long time. Then I began to climb the horn. And from now on, the day did very well. The views of the saddlebacks between the horn and the saddleback are incredible. Once you go above the tree line, you usually stay above the tree line for almost 2 miles. There are short cases in which it falls into small trees. But you don’t stay there for a long time.

Nothing better than starting to start early and early.

Somewhere around the horn, I found a lot of hikers to the north. I probably ended up seeing about 10 of them during an hour. And one of the hikers I met on a path near Franklin! Just at the beginning of the trail of the Apalaches. I was really surprised to see me because she thought the path had already finished. People have been a little confused by my publication on the top of Mount Katahdin.

The armchair in the distance.

For the first time in years, I really felt that I was doing it quite well. The path between the horn and the saddleback was not particularly technical. It was just a relatively steep rock face. But the rock had a lot of grip, so I could sail easily. Sometimes, the path is too steep or the rocks are too slippery. And I don’t have much confidence with all my weight on the surface of the rocks.

What kind of AT to provide stairs!

While heading towards Saddleback, I contacted Mike to confirm our meeting time. I am incredibly excited to make a little shorter day today. The last days I have been very difficult. I think it took me a few days to reach an agreement with the land here in southern Maine. Personally, I love having control of everything, especially when it comes to walking. I realize that I don’t have much control over the weather or land. But, in general, I have complete control over how many miles I do in one day. But when you are in southern Maine, it is Maine who has control. Since I got to an agreement, I felt much less stressed. I am trying not to press too much to make great miles if it is not always possible.

Follow that fire. South Maine has been much harder than he remembered.

After a few very long and difficult days, although it will be wonderful to go to the city tonight. Mike sent me a message saying that I had everything fixed. He even reserved a motel for me in the city. That meant that it could appear and I didn’t have to plan anything or think about anything. Which is definitely the gift it continues to give. The last thing I want to do right now is to use my brain.

After a while, I continued and went to Saddleback. And from there, the path was mainly downhill until the next path. That has not been my favorite thing recently. I was hope that it was not too ridiculously steep. Because the steep -down -down parts have cost me the greatest amount of time recently. Although, of course, it was.

The good OLE path.

There were some sections in which the path was not super steep. But there were many areas that required me to use my hands and move very slowly. That once again, it will not be the end of the world. I just wanted to try to reach the road at 1 PM, so I didn’t make Mike wait for me. I had to go for one or two miles in a quite technical rocky field. When the path is covered with rocks, it can take a long time. Many of the rocks are very slippery, so you cannot step on them unless you make a very focused contact. Sometimes, when it advances too much to the left or to the right, the foot will simply slide right next to the rock. And right now I am doing everything I can’t to fuck or irritate my hip.

After navigating through a slow ground for an hour or so, I finally went to a well -qualified path. For a few miles, I swear that I was on the best path I have seen since the middle of the trail of the Apalaches. It was just a beautiful land and pine. I was able to walk 3 mph, which was the best feeling in the world. And not only would I arrive on time for my trip, it is likely that it would arrive early. I can’t even remember the last time I made an estimate of my rhythm and I was earlier. Definitely not on this path recently.

I ended up going to the road at 12:30 pm Mike was there with his truck waiting for me and took drinks and snacks. I sat on the back gate of his truck and had a Dr Pepper and some cheese and cookies. We had just hung by chatting for a while, which was really pleasant. Then I went to the city so that I could be reviewed in my room. Mike really already grabbed the key, which was great. And chose a room that was right next to the laundry.

Crossing the road where Mike, also known as Miles, was waiting for me!

Once I stood inside, Mike brought a lot of plastic containers to show me. He has a complete refueling loaded in his truck at all times. We are talking about dehydrated meals, coffee, hot chocolate, electrolytes, contact solution, snacks, sweets and everything you may need. It was incredibly convenient to be able to make a complete refueling without even leaving my motel room. Talk about full service. I had never experienced something like that before.

I chose everything I needed during the next few days. Mike even gave me some mileage tips for the snack section. I had mapped some different days of 25 miles to give me some options. And once again, he felt so well not having to think for once. Then I loaded my electronics, I cleaned some things and gave myself a shower. He felt so well shower after how hot and sweaty I’ve been lately. In addition, I am absolutely covered with mud. And all the humidity caused my back to break like madness. Fortunately, it has not been too painful, but it looks really bad.

Mike had the goods! It was great to be able to replenish from my motel room.

After I showered, I washed my clothes. Then I went out in the room and did some work. I also did some planning and organized my replenishment. Then, later at night, Mike and I went out for dinner. He took us down a place that was a steak and seafood. When we returned to the room, I had asked me when it was the last time I had a steak. And honestly, I couldn’t remember for my life. So it was a steak!

One of the best meals of my life.

I obtained one of the most delicious fillets I have had. He had this delicious Peppercorn Au Joux, who was very tasty and salty. It also served with puree of potatoes and vegetables. That had to have been one of the best meals that I had all the time I have memory. And after finishing everything, Mike insisted that he order the dessert. So I had a crème Brûlée to finish things. After that, he was very sleepy and so happy.

I don’t think it’s ever tried with Crème Brûlée, and I was delicious.

Once we finished eating, we returned to the motel. Mike and I went out and talked for a while before it finally left. And I have a lot of writing and video work to do. It is not even fun. I knew I couldn’t finish everything tonight, but I hoped to do everything I could. So I went to bed and began to make some videos and edit some of my writings. The funny thing is that doing those things often makes my eyes so drows. Even if I’m not tired initially, something about looking at the screen tires me so much.

A dream of hikers! Tons of points of sale and USB plugs so that you can load everything at once.

I did not have the energy to do much. Only a few blogs and some videos to catch me a little. Actually, however, it will take a full day, if not more, so that they get caught completely. That is why I cared so much to remain updated during the year. Because once I stay behind, it is very difficult to do time and get caught again. And in addition, the rough terrain has made it much harder to do the job in the afternoon. I have been so exhausted at the end of the day because I am walking a little more hours to make even less miles than usual. However, I hope that I can take the time to catch up with everything eventually in the next week or two.

If you enjoy this blog and you would like to support my walk by buying a soda or a refrigerium on the road, there is a «advice button» below! It is linked directly to my venmo. All support is incredibly appreciated!