Through Maine, Katahdin and out of the way

Since my last update, I have experienced incredible ups and downs (yes, I realize that this sounds like a promotion for the wide world of ABC sports). I am grateful for all of them, despite the pain.

To jealousy

Central, Scar and I headed north from Monson, Maine, on August 29. We find many of our paths of paths during the days, including Salt and First Light. Scar left us after completing the mountains of Longfellow, the challenging descent of the chair mountain and reaching Katahdin Ironworks Road, since he had climbed to the rest of the state, including a Katahdin summit, in 2024. She was a great friend of the path and was surprised and strange.

For one of the days in the desert, I met the fleeting star and only Susan. These hikers in the section were completing their walks after seven and 14 years, respectively. His joys on his walk of At, and in his achievements, were infectious.

Central and I made constant progress through the desert, arriving at Jo Mary Road and a food drop, and then completed the desert in six days. Upon arriving at Abol Bridge and in the Abol Bridge camp, we knew that organizing Mount Katahdin of the summit was not as challenging as we had assumed.

The first 12 hikers to register on the list published at 7:00 am in the kiosk at the entrance of the At Baxter State Park can stay in the birch camp in the park that night. That positions them well for an early climb from Katahdin the next day. Only hikers who have completed the 1OO-Mile desert without leaving the road are eligible. We were in the kiosk at 4:15 in the morning, since we had four in our group, but we did not know how many camped in the state park and who would like to be among the 12. The answer was seven. Arriving early to the kiosk simply gave the earliest precedence of the arrivals later.

The 100 -mile desert was demanding, the duration made it especially exhausting. Salt rented a cabin at the Abol Bridge camp, and Central, First Light and I joined him, giving us the opportunity for a shower. It was one of the most rewarding I have had along the way (probably because it was particularly rank!).

To the summit

We walk to the Birch camp at different times on Saturday, September 6. It was predicted that the rain would begin at 2:00 pm, so I put myself in light to be there at 1:00. The flood began around noon.

Most of us were soaked, the rain continued, the wind had joined the fray and we had five people stuck in our inclination of four people. Despite this, it was a cheerful occasion, both to anticipate the summit, and to the wife of First Light, bringing magic of trails, an hiker compared with a full -fledged charcerías board. None of us had to fix dinner that night, and the variety was excellent («Do you worry about more rope cheese?»).

Central and I left at 6:15 am on Sunday morning, September 7, after the Hunt path, which is the AT route. The path became increasingly steep, and then the roots and rocks increased in number and size. When we appeared above the tree line, I expected a transition to a easier final work. Yes, there was a transition, but Boulder on a greatly large pile, on a crest between the first and the second pile, and then ascend to the final plateau through the second pile. It was not easier, only different, than required the use of arms, legs and all the muscles.

We will comply after a four -hour rise. It was one of the happiest experiences of my life. Many through the hikers with whom we had walked and camped were there, and the tears of joy, relief and emotional exhaustion flowed. I joined them.

Bouncing in the south

Central and I had a pleasant night on the hostel of the trail of the Apalaches in Millinocket, Maine, that night, and then we trust a relative of Central to pick us up in Millinocket and leave us in Catatunk, Maine, where my sub -loss was parked, silently waiting for our return. Central left me for a nine -mile slack through the west transport pond area, a segment that had lost a few weeks before when my feet were demonstrating to be problematic. I finished the excursion, Central picked me up, and soon we were on the way to the OM Dome shelter, near Andover, Maine, in the southern direction in the AT from this establishment instead of North, which we had done on August 15.

Visiting Andover and Rumford, Maine

We headed south from South Arm Road, planning a 15-mile walk and camping at Frye Notch Lean-To. We took a late beginning, and then the ground up and down two mountains made things challenged. I was very behind Central on the path, pushing me to get to the inclination before dusk. It was during this effort that I stumbled upon a root, I slugged the path and hit the right side of my face in a rock. Unfortunately, the rock came out to the winner in this interaction.

This led to a self -assessment of my condition, my understanding that I needed professional help and a walk of a half and a half mile to East B Hill Road, where I left the AT and marked a local knight. Mike took me to Fred’s house, and Fred transported me to the Volunteer Fire Department of Andover, where Fred gave the call to an ambulance to transport me to the Regional Hospital in Rumford, Maine. While that vehicle made the trip from Mexico (the city, not the country), I served as training for several members of the Andover Volunteer Fire Department that work in their EMT certifications. I have never had my blood pressure, pulse, breathing and oxygen saturation verified more times in a period of 30 minutes than I in Andover, Maine in the Fire House that afternoon. I hope everyone will pass; I felt good careful.

While my face was bloody for the collision, I was worried about my teeth, since they had brought together, and the right side of my mouth did not want to close. Magnetic resonance showed no problem with my teeth (subsequently confirmed by my local dentist), but found four fractures. The doctor of the emergency room, as well as two nurses, the radiation technician, my wife and the lady of reception of the best Western, thought it was time for me to get out of the way to heal. I have done it.

Despite a great Shiner, I was able to support Central and make the Massachusetts – Vermont border move, where it was more likely to find hikers north traveling to the Mohosuc notch. He also gave us the opportunity to review what each of us need to do, discuss the fun parts of our joint effort and get used to the idea that we separate after seven months of hiking together.

Shaw shelter lesson

Just a week or so before, I listened to one of the owners of the Shaw hiking hostel in Monson, he tells a hotel: «The path of the Appalaches owes you nothing, you must the path of the Apalaches.» I did not know that I would be evaluating that comment after almost 1,800 miles of the path were completed, and when it would take a forced respite. But, this is a good time to do it.

The path is an inanimate object. Said and created by humans, it is a remote and natural place. A linear park, those who walk and change it (they lose weight, gain muscle and trust, develop resolution for challenging efforts, reflect on the spirituality that was gigigated through the process) have grown and positively evolved. If that is the basis of thanks, then I think it is appropriate. But just when the path was simply a stretch of land when I swore when the difficulty of the path frustrated me, it is the same when I want to express thanks. The path has not changed, I have done it. I am grateful, and maybe the path is the best agent to receive them. This is another thing to reflect when I return to the path.

Advance

I will return to the path in 2026. I will not be through a trip, which was my goal. But the path is not a competition (although Americans think that each activity can be a form of competition). Then, complete the path and, nevertheless, not to be a hiker, it is something I can live with. I guess that means that I have also acquired some ideas.

Plan to write an epilogue when Central ends the path, as a way to close your trip. I can also blog in 2026. And I thank the readers. One of the reasons I wrote in a blog was to make it harder to quit smoking, since I would have to explain my reasons and motives, and that would be a challenge. That need disappeared when I gained confidence and skills. Yes, I’m going on the way, but that’s not because it’s too difficult, but because I’m injured. Now I have the idea of ​​seeing the difference.

Thank you, central, for your trust, patience and friendship. And my wife Jan, who paid the accounts, reduced me when I needed it and never criticized my expenses or other options, thanks. On this trip I also learned how incredibly lucky that I have been to have you in my life.

I have New Hampshire, Vermont, 20 miles from Maine and 9 miles from Virginia to finish in 2026. That will keep me busy.

Thank you, all. Hogmaw out.