Date: 2017-07-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 69.8
Weather: few clouds

July 18I am at Long Pond Stream Lean-to after a 18.4 mile day and 1060.8 total. There are different kinds of halfway marks. Though I am not at my northern terminus, I am getting very close to the halfway mark so far as total miles goes. The mileage of the entire AT is 2189. So when I reach 1094.5 that will be one of the halfway points. Completing Katahdin will be the other. I got a late start this morning because of the wonderful breakfast served at the hostel this morning. So, 9 AM on the trail made for a long day and a late arrival at the shelter. The trail was beautiful but I had to ford four streams which took some time. Because of the feet problems I decided to try to keep my socks and shoes as dry as possible. So that meant having to take them off and put them back on for the fords. Oh well. But my feet are better! I am feeling good with good energy even though it was such a long day. Time for bed!July 19I am at a campsite on the West Branch of the Pleasant River. I did 15.2 miles today and am at 1076 total. Today was a mountain climbing day. I climbed Barren, Fourth, Three and a Half, Third, Columbus, and Chairback mountains. Much up and down. Another long day. Very tired. There were no streams that I had to ford but a few I could rock hop across. It was a hot day too. So I was really careful to drink lots of water all day. One stream was so tempting that I soaked both my shirt and my hat in it and put them back on to cool me. I had mashed potatoes and salami for supper along with a couple of cups of lemonade. Tomorrow I have more mountains to climb and also may have my first view of Katahdin from White Cap Mountain. Hopefully I can get a good picture of it in the distance! July 20I am at the East Branch Lean-to after 16.7 miles today and 1092.7 total. NOW I am over the halfway point regarding mileage. It's kind of like when you had to share a cookie with a sibling. Someone always complained about getting the "small" half. There are a few more miles in the section above Harpers Ferry and probably more difficult too. However, I am focused on getting to climb Katahdin in a few days and then will have the opportunity to walk home!!Today was another busy day. Started off with a fording of a wide but shallow river and then the climbing began. I climbed Gulf Hagas, West Peak, Hay, and White Cap Mountains today. The peak of White Cap was the highest and mostly bald. It was from there that I got my first view of Mount Katahdin. It's a big massive thing off in the distance. But getting closer step by step. Tomorrow I will be getting a food drop which is food I have already bought and am paying someone to deliver to me at a particular place on the trail. It has kept me from having to carry 6 - 7 days of food and helped keep my pack weight down. Still no signal. When I do get a chance to post y'all will have some catching up to do!July 21I am at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to after 19.5 miles today and 1112.2 total. These days I am using my tent a lot because of how bad the mosquitoes are. Today was another long day but the trail was very kind to me. Mostly long flat sections with some areas of rockiness or rooty. There were a couple of small climbs but they were easy. I have gotten my Trail legs back and am clicking on all cylinders! My feet are much less of an issue since I am trying to keep them dry and using liner socks too. The food drop occurred as scheduled and on time. It is good to have food for the next few days but now my pack is heavy again. Also today some one left some trail magic right in the middle of the trail a couple of miles from a road. I had some peanut butter crackers and took with me a small to go packet of peanut butter.  I have probably said good bye to a couple I know as Poncho and Iggy. They will be slowing down a little as we approach Katahdin so their son can meet them there and climb it with them a day or two after I climb it. Another day without a signal!! I miss talking with Tammy each evening. I miss posting the journal and hearing your feedback. I miss being able to get a weather report. Oh, well. Foghat