'05 AT Thru Hike

“jumping into the hot tub with my duct tape

i thought he was in cincinnati with prowler”

“whats the name of the place?”

“HI, I'm in Monson and ready to head into the 100 mile wilderness in the a.m. Although I sent myself a drop box, I plan to flesh it out a little more. Discipline will be key for the next section because I've been known to pillage my food bag without mercy early into a section. That won't work at this point. I'm both excited and tired at the same time...ambivalent. Loving it but ready to go home. Thanks everyone for all your support.”

“You're on the home stretch! keep going!”

“Nice going Nimble!

You joining us for a Mammoth Cave Hike in November?”

“Hey Nimblefoot! You made it to Monson! That's great. I sent the goodie box to whatever address you originally told me to send it to. Some Wilderness Camp with a Monson address, I think. You said on the phone that they are not accepting packages any longer, but so far they have not returned it to me. The cheese is probably really stinky by now. Not sure about the jerky. It might be ok. Hope you can still pick up the box.

The best of luck to you for the rest of your journey. Enjoy every single second.”

“That was very nice of you, Grave Dancer !

Good luck Nimblefoot !!”

“Almost there! what a great adventure!”

“Super! Home stretch...”

“Go baby go!

How much is left at this point?”

“Of what?”

“Wow! Congratulations! Enjoy the 100 Mile Wilderness and especially Momma K. You've certainly earned it. :) I hope you have amazing weather for your summit!”

“lizs -

From Monson it's about 100 miles, through the 100-mile Wilderness, to Abol Bridge. Abol Bridge is on the border of Baxter State Park. From Abol bridge it is about two hiking days to finish the AT. I remember it being about 12 miles from the Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter. Most folks go to the AT shelter near Katahdin Stream campground for the night and head up the big K early the next morning. From Katahdin Stream Campground it is 5.5 miles to the summit and the northern terminus of the AT. Of course, once on top you have to come back down, so it's an 11-mile day. The hike up is tough but very fun - lots of boulder climbing in places.

Anyhow, that's the breakdown of what he has left.
last edited: 10/05/05 2:02:55 PM”

“I was wondering how it was going.
Might be getting cool in Maine.”

“The news reports this morning show lots of rain in the northeast. I am concerned about Nimblefoot. For those familiar with the 100 miles wilderness, do you think that he will have trouble? I know there are lots of water crossings. I think he is paying his dues for the nice weather he had while doing the Whites.
last edited: 10/11/05 7:37:29 AM”

“bump”

“Yikes!”

“We've had alot of rain here in eastern VT. The White River is up but it's not near flooding. There has been some flooding in southern NH from what I hear. The weather report for the rest of the week is for more showers.

I imagine Nimblefoot is pretty soaked. I am sure he is fine, though. Of course, there are some stream crossings through the 100 Mile Wilderness. The only one I remember that would be troublesome (ie wide) is the West Branch of the Pleasant River, just before The Hermitage and Gulf Hagas. It's a pretty wide ford. That crossing is fairly early in the 100 Mile, though, and I would expect he was long past that before the big rains hit.

The other crossings in the 100 Mile are fairly minor as I remember. Most of the major ones in Maine are south of the Wilderness. Of course, any crossig can be dangerous in flood waters. My guess, though, is that he is very soggy but a-okay. I expect that by now he's near the big K and his biggest concern is that they don't kick him out of Baxter before he gets a pretty day to summit.”

“When is it that they close Kathadin to hikers?

Hey MM, I hope you're enjoying the NE. How is school?”

“Thanks for the info MileMonster. I am keeping my fingers crossed.”

“I read on the Baxter State Park website that they will keep it open as many days as possible, so I don't think there is a set date yet. Man, I hope he gets there in time.”

“the problem is not that they close the mountain the problem is that they close the campsites - you can summit after Oct 15 but you won't be camping at Katahdin Stream CS and so you would have to come in from the boundary on the day you summit”

“I entered three more journal entries today. Go read 'em!”

“coming from abol bridge to the summit of K and back down to kahtadin stream campground in a day is do-able if you get an early jump. but then you still have to get out of the park, i presume. you would need to arrange a ride in advance or have very good luck with hitchhiking”

“abol bridge to K and back down is about a 20-mile day. baxter is mostly flat and easy, and the climb up K is not bad either since you can leave your non-essentials like sleeping bag, tent, and most of your food and clothes at the ranger station. you essentially day-hike K. allow about 12 hours, but most fit thru-hikers should make it in 10 or less.”

“assuming NF got started on the 5th like he said and took as many as 10 days to cross the Wilderness (most make it thru in about 7-9), he would be to abol bridge by the 14th and be able to summit and camp on the 15th, so i doubt he'll have to compress what should be a glorious two days into one. of course, they can close the mountain early if the weather gets bad early, but im pretty sure this doesnt happen very often. and seeing as how the precip is rain, not snow, id say its gonna stay open long enough for him to get there
last edited: 10/12/05 5:06:59 PM”

“I'm not there yet. Got sick at White House Landing and am just now feeling better. Went to the doctor on the 15th which, weatherwise, was the last half decent day for summiting Katahdin. There's a chance that Wednesday will be possible. If not, I'm just heading home and calling it a trip...5.2 miles and one climb short. Currently staying at the Appalachian Lodge in Millinocket. I'll elaborate more on trail journals.”

“WOW!!!!

Clear up, weather. Way to go, Nimblefoot.”

“Excellent! I hope you get a good day to summit! Have fun”

“Praying for good weather for you man! Good luck too!”

“Five more years till I can maybe take early retirement. I hope I'm still in good enough shape to get started. I'll be 56.”

“Nimblefoot, I sure hope you can make it!
If not, I can certainly see your point of view.

How old are you?”

“I don't think he'll mind if I pipe up and say he's 60.”

“Wow! Thats awesome Nimble!!! You go!!!

Reading your journal entries and this thread are definately inspiring me.....”

“YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is hope, yet!

I went to a retirement class last week and found out I may can retire at 56. 59 and a half for sure.

It has been my dream since my school years to do the AT.”

“Okay, the whole sordid mess is now on trail journals. I'm still trying to get Katahdin's weather for the next couple of days.”

“http://www.thru-hiker.com/KatahdinWeatherReport.asp

Tomorrow looks good!”

“WK - you read my mind. I've been googling for Katahdin weather and couldn't find shi-. Looks like tomorrow would be the best day to git r' done. Thanks”

“No problemo!

Get it done! I want to see a photo of you hoisting your pack over you head at the end this week!”

“Good luck man! Wish I could be with you!

Nimblefoot starting!

First register entry
last edited: 10/17/05 12:34:38 PM”

“Hope the weather stays good tomorrow so you can make it up Big K.”

“I just read your last trailjournals entry. With all the bad weather up there, I was concerned about how you would get through the 100 mile wilderness. But you made it through, Nimblefoot! And now Katahdin is within your reach. I will keep my fingers crossed for good weather. Be safe.”

“Go Nimblefoot! Woohoo!!”

“Wow, glad you're still chuggin' along. You should be very proud for persisting in such difficult circumstances.”

“Go, babe, go!!”

“i will be sick to death if you cant make the last 5 miles. i know exactly how you would feel. good luck with the weather. whats your transport back to the park?”

“climb Katahdin, it is worth it. That is one awesome mountain! You're so close!

Congratulations, that is so awesome!
last edited: 10/17/05 5:11:45 PM”

“the Appalachian Trail cafe in Millenocket is probably the worst restaurant in the wold in my opinion. Their service is horrible! I don't recommend eating there!

The downtown restaurant is the best place to eat in Millenocket.”

“No hike today. The Park is closed, all roads and trails. Got my first glimpse of the mountain today and it has quite a bit of snow on top. I'm not going up if going down isn't safe, incomplete through hike or not. Frankly, I'm not as concerned about the liklihood of not finishing as some of you all may be or as some of you may think I am. It's just a matter of perspective. So long as I know that my effort has been good, the result isn't that big a deal. I'm okay with my effort. I'll hang around for 2 more days at best and then head home one way or the other. Thanks for your support and concern...I really mean that.”

“We love you!”