100 mile walk in the woods

“Yeah it has been getting pretty cold down here in CT also, I hope it doesn't get too much colder up there. I am hoping for a nice Indian Summer for the end of Sept like we had on our trip. I really do not want to carry winter gear. With my luck I will get halfway thru and Maine will get an early blizzard and I will be snowed in.”

“Just wanted to let you all know that you are a bunch of PANSIES for not coming with me on this trip!!!!”

“Ahem... personally I am offended by that remark. I am a daffodil.”

“Oh man, if Bobo shows you're in a world of ****!!”

“I have been trying to figure out how to do the 100 Mile Wilderness and get up Katahdin in 8 days and I think it might be too much.
It would take two days of 17-20 miles to be able to finish by Friday at Birches and the shelters just aren't spaced out right for that, especially in the begining. I know I could just stealth camp wherever but the shelters usually have the better water sources.
I might have to go back to the original plan of making a trip just to explore Katahdin.
Training is going well I have been taking 5 mile dayhikes with a 25lb pack and it is taking about 1.5 hours. Granted the elevation gain/loss is not that great but it will help. I wish I had a good Mtn to climb locally.

My pack for the trip will weigh about 30lbs without water in the begining of the trip this is with about 15lbs of food. So I am planning to travel nice and light especially at the end of the trip.

I am debating even stopping at whitehouse landing, some of the things I have been hearing make it seem like it might not be a positive trail experience. I guess I will play that by ear, if it raining it might be nice to dry out. but if I am pushing for Katahdin it might take too long.

Some of the gear;
5x8 siltarp
6 stakes
Bibler Winter Bivy lightweight breathable
Big Agnes Air pad 3/4
Gregory Z-pack
MSR Pocket Rocket
1 large Cannister
MSR titan pot
TI mug
Spork
MRS Dromedary
1 Gatorade bottle
Petzl e-lite
2 squeeze lights
30* sleeping bag
Patagonia Micropuff Jacket
ID insulated pants
2 pr hiking socks
1 pr sleep socks
spare underwear
Precip jacket
Precip Pants
shorts
LS Shirt
Patagonia Long underwear top and bottom
Sil Pack cover
First Aid kit
repair kit
Aqua Mira
Pack Towel
Hat
Gloves
Foodbag/bear bag
50' line
Crocs?”

“i was 8 days from monson to abol bridge, altho i couldve gone faster if i had to. u need to be in thru-hiker shape if youre going to make monson to katahdin in 8 days.”

“Man I am dying to start this trip!!! Gonna get all of my gear out tonight and pack for the trip!!! I will probably pack and repack everything several times to get it just right. I do not want to carry any extra weight but I don't want to forget anything either.”

“WooHoo one more week to go! I can't wait. Twigeater is going to meet me with the Twigletts on Saturday and camp at Katahdin stream, then drive me back to my car. Thank you ever so much Twiggie.
I haven't actually packed yet but all of my gear is spread out on the basement floor. I keep adding things and taking things away.

What are the bears like thru the 100 mile? I know when I hiked in Northern Baxter with Twig she said bears were not a problem and the food stayed in the shelter. I am going to bring bear bag stuff. From what I have read the red squirrels and mice are the bigger problem. What can you do about them?

I am thinking about wearing my trail runners, will they be ok? I wear them hiking alot in the Catskills and ADK and have had no ankle issues.

The extended weather forecaste looks like we am going to have a couple of rainy days but nothing too cold.

This week is gonna go so slow!”

“I have read the red squirrels and mice are the bigger problem. What can you do about them?


Your only hope is the bears keep them away...


One time I had a pair of super stinky nylon socks draped over my pack and it was the only one that did not get raided by mice. no idea how much difference it made, but they sure did stink.

Or

You could try catching a fox and putting it in the bear bag when you hang it. That would surpirise the squirrels in any event.
last edited: 9/13/07 5:37:05 AM”

“When I did Monson to Gulf Hagas, one place we stayed...can't remember the name - had super aggressive raccoons...

If you're ahanging a bear bag, maybe a CD tied above the bag???”

“didnt see any bears in the 100. i dont think i saw much bear sign or heard much about bear sightings, either”

“If you're ahanging a bear bag, maybe a CD tied above the bag???”
twigeater
9:02:50 AM
9/13/07

Yeah.. you don't want those squirrels and mice climbing back up the rope after they jump off the platform onto the bag.”

“Five Days and I will be starting the trip! Still haven't heard from Fridge so I'm thinking this is gonna be a solo!”

“I wish I could go with you. That was one of my favorite sections of the AT.”

“Two Days and a wake up and I will be on my way! Any last words of advice or encouragement?”

“Have a great hike! Calmwater told me in his email that the southbound hikers he came across had great things to say about the AT in Maine so he was looking forward to it.”

“Maine wilderness is a wonderful thing. I miss it. Enjoy it for me.”

“if youre northbounding, stop at pemadumcook lake for an awesome view of katahdin. its on a blue blaze about 100 feet to the right, about 2 1/2 miles south of whitehouse landing
last edited: 9/19/07 5:51:46 AM”

“Don't go to Whitehouse Landing. I've heard nothing but bad things this year from thru-hikers.

The owner isn't very pleasent toward his family or to guests. Whatever you do, if you do go, don't blow the airhorn more than once!

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=206036

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=203492

Those are a couple of TJ entries, plus I have a first hand account from two thru's who finished at the same time as Hornet. They decided to stay there the night, even, while Hornet hiked on.

Oh! And have a great hike! :D
last edited: 9/19/07 6:41:24 AM”

“i would modify that and say "dont stay at whitehouse landing", in case you need to re-supply there. their stock was sufficient to get me from there to katahdin

they see housing us as a necessary evil. they dont want to, but they like the money they make off of us”

“Whitehouse landing isn't in the plan unless it has been raining for days and I want to dry out. I'm going out there to backpack and enjoy the wilderness not stay in an unfriendly lodge.

I am carrying enough food to get me to Katahdin plus some extra.

Should one large fuel cannister be enough to boil 16-18 meals?”

“Have fun, and I'll see you at the end!”

“There are two White Houses that I am currently familiar with and evil emanates from them both.

Have a great trip.”

“thats a long time to go without a re-supply. youre going to have a HEAVY pack”

“CB my pack is going to be about 30-32lbs at the start in Monson, 17lbs of gear and 15lbs of food. Plus water of course.”

“You got mail Lt.”

“Just curious.. Is anyone planning (or wanting) to do this in 2009?

I am thinking about a trip in late June/July...

'fool”