Here I go again – The walk

Nothing exceeds a good pancake breakfast to start the day. However, I did not sleep the best. It still is hot as hell in Maine, and I think it is relatively common that most people do not sleep well when it is not a little fresher. Still, I’m really going to miss having a bed in the Roadhouse. It seemed that everyone had a bit of the «repentance prior to the train» that is common among the good shelters. Overdunn and I packed in the truck after taking our polaroids and we were back at the beginning of the path! And there was a pleasant surprise at the beginning of the path. Long before on the walk, I found goodwill, one of the (many) wills on the path that have a name related to the will, but most importantly, a fellow blogger! We met far behind in Boots OFF, before it had to take some time to take care of an unpleasant foot injury, so we have been separated since then. Unfortunately, his schedule simply did not align with what he had planned, but we have been in contact, and it was good to see him again.

This good news quickly came with a small shock absorber, I forgot my posts in the shelter! And the shelter is not … the closest to the beginning of the path, is about 20 minutes by car. Will offered me his posts, which was kind, but those posts had taken me from Ferry Harpers here, I’m not ready to give them now. So, I just waited at the beginning of the path. Fortunately, there was a good reception, so although he was wandering aimlessly, he didn’t seem too lost. However, this is a hope of reaching East Flagstaff Road in the toilet. There was no way he did it on time for dinner.

At least I expected that today’s land was not too hard for the body. They are the last 4000 feet of Maine before Katahdin, although my expectations are that the rest of North Maine will not be much easier. After all, trail clubs really are proud to preserve a «natural» sensation on the path here. On the other hand, today’s Bigelows seem to be a fairly common path for all levels of hikers. So, maybe I’m caught in my head.

After almost an hour of waiting, Krigas returned with my posts, and began to march through the greats. And, as usual, the water sources were forward were completely dry. The blueberry current approximately one mile was the only source of water that flows to the camp later. So … another day of pond water, I suppose. Early in the day, I made sure to fill my cold jug with water too, before heading up.

There was not much that caught my attention until the horns pond leaned, which was next to another very big «pond». I wish I would like to swim much more. The Maine AT has so many opportunities, and especially on a hot day, it would seem great. Well, apart from the leeches.

I cameo more, since this would be the last water for the rest of the day. 10 miles without water … and hard miles. I crossed the South Horn quite fast later, watching some clouds rolling along the way. Is it a little rain time? Maybe. But I feel that the clouds have been lying lately. Even when they are present, they are not giving us exactly what we really need.

While crossing from the southern snack to the Bigelow West Peak, I returned to a group of Packers from the previous day: Gourmet Magic, Tie-Dye, wrapping of vegetables, birds, navigation and excess. Although, in particular, we lack Saxon. I took some time to enjoy the beak, but I had to start down quickly from the beak, since I could hear the thunder roar in the distance.

Among the peaks, I finally met Saxon, struggling to find water, and also struggling to climb the next beak. He was also worried about the weather, so he decided to remove a small side path, instead of going west. I am a little worried, since somehow he has to return to the shelter. But he has done this many times. I should have the faith that he can solve it.

The east peak of the Bigelows, also called Avery Peak, bears the name of Myron Avery, a AT Trail Blazer. He was the one who convinced the ATC to extend the path to Maine, beyond its original final point of Mount Washington. Sometimes, I curse his name, sometimes praises him. He is the reason why the path exists, and why we can have this wonderful experience. It is also the reason why my body is completely exhausted and with complete pain of the paths here. It existed before a moment when trail designers realized that the curves were something good, and making a unique sensible track means less damage in general to the ground. Even so, thanks to his leadership, the trail of the Apalaches was possible. So I can’t curse your name too much.

On the way down, he finally began to rain. I did not spend too much trying to soak anything, since I just wanted to get to the camp as soon as possible. The land was really not so bad, but still, I was running out of energy again. I only think there is no way to avoid it, my body is tired. A zero double did not solve anything. I think the only thing that will do it is … the eventual rest I will get after leaving the way. So I’m really looking forward to that.

Walking, I met other weekend backpackers, and I heard one of the children in a youth group say: «It makes me feel better to know that there are others here too, we are not the only stupid.» What a mood.

When I approached dusk, I went down to Bigelow’s little inclination, after advancing in tons of what should be blueberry bushes in full flowering. After all, it is at the beginning of August! But … unfortunately, with all missing water, all blueberries are dying. There is no way for me to have blueberry tongue if there are no blueberries around.

He darkened to the right when I got into the camp. I found a tent platform near the private one on the back and configured my Trekking post tent. It’s funny, the store platforms I was afraid before now are just another place to launch. More acceptance on the path of the Apalaches. At least, Lil Bigz’s water was flowing.

(Title lyrics by: Mamma Mia, Abba)

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