Date: 2003-07-10
From: Monson, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 151.4

Got in this morning after a brisk 6 mile hike from the nearest shelter. Lazing the rest of the day, eating and emailing. Tomorrow I cross the Kennebec River (by boat, not ford) and go for 14 miles. That's a big day for me, usually I average around 11 miles.Took 4 days to go from Monson to here, two easy days, a power day yesterday (two mountains), and a slack day today. Caratunk is a one horse town, no restaurant, no store, just a B&B and a post office. That's all right, I can relax with the best of them.In answer to some of your questions:1. Have I eaten any grubs? Do I look like Euwell Gibbons? I haven't even seen any grubs, just some leeches in one of the ponds I was swimming in (yes, I remember the swamp scene in "Stand By Me"). 2. Do I share meals with other hikers? Only if I can see their ribs showing. Normally I treat each meal like it's my last, and nobody better take my Snickers! 3. How many days between bathing? If you see an email from me, I've bathed. No email, no bathing. This doesn't count pond or creek swimming (just me and the leeches). 4. How often do I shop for food? See #3. I'm planning more food stops though. I eat around 2 lb of food a day, so 10 trail days = alot of weight. More town stops = more restaurants! 5. Do I have a trail name? Not yet, I just go by David P right now. FYI, each shelter has a trail register in it. Hikers and others can record their thoughts, views, gripes, opinions, hellos, etc. Most people sign using a trail name: "Only 3 oz, Texas Pete, Bobo, Col. Sandwich Pants, Tortoise and Hare" You get the picture. 6. Chris, we bet $200 that I wouldn't finish. Better start saving now. 7. I am clueless about what is happening in the wide world (Iraq, Washington, Europe, FL, Hollywood) and I don't mind. My main concerns: how far to the next shelter, and will it rain. My most intellectual thoughts: should I add a beef or chicken boullion cube to my dehydrated potatoes? 8. Please don't send me pictures over the internet. I can't save them and have to dump them. Plus it's not like Caratunk has DSL or a T-1 line. I'm lucky to get 28.8. 9. I took some pictures of the first days on the trail. I'll scan and email them when I get a chance. Don't hold your breath. 10. When is a mountain worth the sweat expenditure? When I can see something at the top besides trees. When I can feel the wind on my face. When I can see for miles and miles. When I get a (natural) high. When I can take a snack break. 11. Speaking of which, am I hungry on the trail? Not all the time, my metabolism hasn't kicked into high gear yet. I'm burning from 5-6k calories a day and am still working off my stored fat. In comparison, you are probably using 2-3k calories a day 12. I lost about 8 lb by the time I reached Monson. I expect to lose 15-20 lb total. Starting weight = 184 lb. 13. I filter all the water I find on the trail: springs, lakes, creeks, mud puddles, beaver ponds, etc. No need to get a case of the runs out there. It's tough to swat mosquitos when you're squatting. Plus I ran out of T/P this morning: major emergency. 14. Still on schedule for a Christmas arrival at Springer Mountain. I should be in fighting trim by the time I reach MA. South of there, the trail becomes easier (so I hear) and I should be able to crank out 20+ mile days. We'll see.Enough for now, I'm paying for this you know. See you down the trail, DP