The heat of the day

Even without clothes, I still felt suffocated by the heat that covered Shaw’s. So I really did not fall asleep to 2, after giving some walks around the block/around the shelter to try to cool in the least suffocating night air. So call me right, but I expected people not to wake up at 5:30 and immediately explode «Did you see what Trump did today?» full volume. Puaj.

I turned around and I went as «guys, come on, it’s 5:30. Can you at least take your conversation outside?» I turned around to sleep, but about five minutes later, they came and said «I’m sorry again.» I fell asleep … Ah, well. I appreciate the apologies, even if I was not in a position to really accept it at that time.

Shaw’s Hiker Hostel is, according to Bill Bryson, the «most famous guest house in the AT». And for a good reason. He now runs for the poet and the hippie girl, is the last shelter for Nobo’s and the first hostel for Sobo’s before finishing his trip. (There is also the hostel of the trail of the Apalaches in Millinocket Maine, which is a very common place to launch, but it is not as mandatory as a stop). Provide a team store in Poet’s Gear Emporium, refueling, beds and, most importantly, breakfast with the stage! … for which I was not willing.

However, I didn’t worry, I talked to Cooper, and he made sure a dish would have kept me when I finally got up. The dish consisted of bacon, some on easy eggs and the famous poet fries, which added after acquiring the shelter. I don’t know if it’s recent bias, but I think it’s the best breakfast I have had on their way. I also had incredible coffee. It is not normal, but of Tim Horton. They are very careful … it’s amazing.

I had no important plans for the day, so I hung around the bunk beds with marbles and Burgerman. Finally I had the opportunity to meet the poet and the hippie girl at this time. The poet was busy helping a sobo with a Shakedown! So I could see man in action. They all highlighted. single. article. It was on a table, and then analyzed whether each element was necessary or not, something I have not done … never. Not even before the path … I’m just winged. It may be quite demanding normally, but I also tend to distract me a lot.

However, seeing him work, he didn’t seem like a Shakedown where they had to be creative to find weight to cut. The person had, among other things, a personal weapon for bears … and also had a very large dog. There goes the weapon! In general, the poet took 12 pounds from the weight of his base … Santa Vaca.

Then, he had to help another hiker with an order of emergency food drop, before being able to help me take a look and measure me. Yes, I could have had the same package of mile 790 or less so far … but I am sick and tired of it. I know it is too short for my torso, and I don’t like that there is not much padded on the shoulders of my shoulders. I’m glad I tried it, but I have also learned the limits of what «ultralight» means for me. The objective of Ultralight is to carry only what he needs, and not much more. But I’m not happy with what I have. I would like something comfortable. The poet and I talked about some options, such as Hyperlite and Liteeaf Packs, and we measured me for packages, but I still did not decide to tighten the trigger to buy anything.

The heat of the day continued to hit us. I went to the ATC visitors center in Monson, which is his fourth visitors center, joining those of Amicola Falls, Damascus and Harper’s Ferry. It is a valuable source of information, including estimates when people will arrive at Katahdin Stream Campground. That … requires more explanation.

The Baxter State Park, named for Percival Baxter, is a state park dedicated to preserving the area around Mount Katahdin. Preservation is the keyword here, preservation on recreation. To camp at the bottom, or near the mountain, you have two options. Whether to book a place in Katahdin Stream Campground, or wait for a place in the last inclined, nicknamed birms. However, there is a problem with the Katahdin Stream camp plan … There are very limited places, and they are generally exhausted approximately four months in advance. To be fair, I have had a date of completion in sight from the beginning, so I could have reserved something before, but I was not yet sure of my hiking skill four months ago. Small regrets now.

Meanwhile, birms only allow 12 people for one night to camp. It is another step in the effort towards preservation. While officially, the records open at 7, people tend to try to overcome each other and start aligning at 4! Oh! I expected many people to register at the summit on 20, but when I arrived at the Monson visitors center, I saw that some 10 people had already registered at the summit on 20 … Yikes. Ansiety Spike! Nothing to do more than just waiting for the day to come.

I went to the service station and the local supermarket to obtain food. None of the restaurants in the area was open, so the delicatessen in the city were our options. In the grocery store, I met marbles and Burgerman for the last time. Burgerman leaves to attend a wedding, and the marbles have returned to the section in which he was. It was good to see her again! A last familiar face before entering 100.

I tried to spend time in the library, since I had air conditioning and writing. But for some reason, I was super fatigued! The relentless rays of the sun, plus the large windows of the library, meant that it was difficult to concentrate on a screen. I was stunning … so I returned to Shaw’s and took a great nap. I slept … a little, but not much. Enough to wake up and start counting the amount of food I need. This is all … the last replenishment. I spent most of my time at Poet’s Gear Emporioum to make purchases, obtaining some meals and backpacks for backpackers for me.

For the night, I went to Lakeshore House Lodge & Pub … and I thought «because I deserve it.» So I asked for a good steak. Protein! Well for you. I spent the rest of the night chatting people in the shelter. FP and Punch happened to Cathc, and Punch was watching Jaws in VHS. He was also fired from Away, Cosmo, Sidequest and Skyball. They have been the people that I have seen more consistently throughout the path … and it is sad to see them go one day in advance. But I have gone so far to end on my birthday. I’m not going to leave it now.

Before I realized … it was time to go back to bed. Tomorrow a night of rest more … and then it is the walk until the end.

(Title lyrics by: The Heat of the Day, Pat Metheny Group)

This website contains affiliate links, which means that the walk can receive a percentage of any product or service that you buy using the links in the items or ads. The buyer pays the same price that would do it differently, and his purchase helps to support the continuous objective of the walk to address his quality backpack advice and information. Thanks for your support!

For more information, visit the page about this site.