Date: 2007-06-18
From: Gorham NH thru The Mahoosics, ME & more

To: Stratton ME (Stratton Motel & Hostel)
Miles today: 68.7

It's been very cool these last few days hiking in Maine. Starting to see the first few SOBO's starting their hike. The first started just outside Baxter since Katadin wasn't open yet (he'll have to go back to finish up there-not a bad place to finish-MUCH betta than finishin at LAME Springer Mtn in Georgia. No view, nothing special, weak ending).Pretty psyched to be finishing up the last few miles. But they are tough. Terrain & Elevations are quite rigurous. The views are worth it though. And the weather has been pretty good.Did our first ~20 miler in Maine, a tough one-up over Moody Mtn (2440ft), a killer steep & rugged climb and back down. THEN up an even bigger steeper Old Blue Mtn (3600ft)Weather was hot & humnid but great views so we chilled for lunch at the top, then down a bit & up over Bemis Mtn Range. Finally we ended at the Bemis Mtn Lean to. Long day (18.8mi)but we're back to tough terrain but real miles. So long to the Whites!The next day was quick A& easy passing several very cool ponds & no significant climbs. 17.7 miles by 1530hrs. Stayed in Rangely at the Gull Pond Lodge (Hostel) with Bob O'Brien, a very funny old man. Quite the animated storyteller. Especially when he's driving down the road, drifting, then swerving to correct.Saw 4 moose today! Finally. Groove saw one just off the trail, then we both saw one. Later,when Bob shuttled us to church (in Stratton) & back we saw two more on the side of the road-one each way! Amazing-after all these miles in moose country-nothing! Then 4 today. Medium sized and no antlers/racks this time of year.Yesterday we left town by 0830 and hit Saddleback Mtn. Pretty big climb to 4120ft, 3rd hightest in Maine I think. Kinda Hazy then foggy then drizzle at the top though, so disappointing views. Couldn't see Katadin or the Mt Washington as promised. But the weather kept us moving quickly. But a good day overall. Down to The Saddle and back up the Horn (4040ft) and back down pretty steep descent in the drizzle then up Saddleback Junior (3655ft). All pretty cool anyway. Happy Father's Day! Hope it was a good one Dad!Got to Spaulding Mtn Shelter by 1830 hrs even with all the climbs. We are definitely back! Tough climbs. Slow going. Long days. Pish!Chilly nite, but slept well and NO BUGS! [get my bug bivy net for sleeping bag at next hostel stop tonite (I hope it arrived "FedEx")]Today we left the shelter about 0745, hit Spaulding Mtn and a side trip up to Sugarloaf Summit (2nd highest Peak in Maine)! Not much of a view due to haze, but the lodge at the top is open for hikers' overnite usage. Empty, but electricity still on so the radio, microwave, toaster, etc. still work. We hung for a while, chillin. Too bad we didn't have anything real to cook. Wind was WICKED outside! Intense.Finished the day with Crocker Mtn South (4040ft) & North (4228ft) Peaks. I list the elevations to point out that these are not wussy climbs or descents. Each is a bear all by itself and we're baggin several 4000 footers in a day! Caught a ride into town to the Stratton Motel & Hostel, a sweet spot.We chowed on a whole box of Golden Grahams & a Gallon of Milk. Tastes so good we were drinkin bowls of milk! We've lost our minds. It's the trail.Groove is grillin up the HUGE Porterhouse Steaks & making the mashed potatos. Guthook is bakin a blueberry pie. Mmmmmmm.Tomorrow big breakfast at the Stratton Diner, then we hit the Bigelows. The last big moutains until Katadin.This may be the last journal entry cuz there aren't many town stops left and few with internet.12 days to go til the big K!Here's the schedule:6/19 The Bigelows-pretty big climbs/descents-last big range 15.3 miles6/20 moderate day 17.3 miles6/21 Cross the Kennebec River by ferry, resupply in Caratunk ME & back out to lean to 18.7 miles6/22 Fairly minor terrain 22.5 miles ending in Monson for last resupply before the "100 Mile Wilderness"[May take zero here]6/23 or 6/24 moderate terrain to Long Pond Stream Lean-to 15.1 miles6/24 or 6/25 Moderate terrain & side trip to Gulf Hagus 20.8 miles6/25 or 6/26 Gulf Hagus Mtn, West Peak, Hay Mtn, etc. 18.9 miles6/26 or 6/27 Moderate Terrain & stop at White House Landing! Last Chance for food/bed in middle of 100 Mile Wilderness! 14.1 miles [take zero here if not in Monson]6/28 Moderate terrain 15.8 miles to Rainbow Stream Lean-to 6/29 Moderate Terrain-last big push 24.9 miles to last lean-to The Birches6/30 Last day - Climb Mt Katahdin 5 miles but killer! (and 5 down that don't count of course)Can't wait. So psyched.Our feet & knees are shot every day, especially in the morning and late day.We ditched our tents and everything we could to save weight, so now we're really committed to the plan-no flexibility-gotta make the shelters. Not much can stop us now.We've heard 3 NOBO's have finished and Bookworm is close. Li is making progress but probably won't catch Bookworm.The SOBO's we see chat with us but just don't appreciate who we are. We are the front of the pack and have come a long way. They don't care. I remember seeing Easy Feeling when he was southbound and just 12 miles from Springer. I thought it was pretty cool. These clowns probably won't even finish. They're the early starters. Some seem cool, others cocky. Like they know it all. I don't remember us being that way when we saw SOBO's finishin up. We were excited and grillin them for info, they seemed anxious to keep hikin-so close. But exchanging lots of info.The last of the hike, the 100 miles wilderness looks pretty easy at least for elevation gain, so we expect it to go well, with just one pitstop midway-The White House Landing for FOOD of course. A boat will ferry us after we sound the horn to signal for a ride. Mmmmmmm.Anyway, don't expect many if ANY more updates here til the end!I'll try to post if I can, but Monson or White House Landing MAY be the only opportunity IF that's even possible.AND Cell phone coverage SUCKS now even from the highest peaks.But having a blast. But ready to go home soon.Then find new apartment, unpack my whole life from storage and catch the fireworks, and enjoy the last months of summer. I can't wait!Just heard tonite-it looks like Scott & Scott from AMR will join us for our summit-I'm psyched! Too bad Ben can't make the reunion on Katahdin! But we'll see him on the 14th for the 2nd annual summer gig!That's all for now. Checkout the few new pics I had time to upload!