Date: 2008-06-16
From: Carry Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

During our 14.0 mile hike, Alex's knee was acting up and my left ankle was in rough shape. In order to stay in a lean-to tonight it was either 7.3 miles over 2 mountains or 17.9 miles over 4 mountains, one being over 4,000 ft. We decided that 7.3 was good. This would advance us over a couple of tough mountains but also give us time at camp to rest and recover.It was a fun 7.3 miles. I set pace again in the front, then Gretta, then Alex. We had conversations about politics, media, education, careers, history, the Appalachian Trail, Nutrition, Family, Spirituality, Psychology... we got to know each other well.Alex is short for Alexandre. He is from Venezuela and went to college at Penn. State where he met Gretta who is from Penn. Gretta is German and Irish and lived in China working with trade commissions.In the middle of the day Alex asked a riddle to Gretta and I. It took us almost 2 hours to figure it out. We all laughed allot. The riddle helped take the focus off of the pain in my ankle. We climbed over two 2000+ ft. mountains effortlessly. Tomorrow we have a 10-14 mile day ahead of us. The first campsite is between to mountain peaks at 4000 ft. If it is raining or the weather conditions are bad we will keep moving down the side of the mountain where the next lean-to is.I like the idea of hiking with Alex and Gretta for a while. We have a similar pace and they are great company. Both of their lives are rich with culture and great stories. We are learning allot from each other. It is in the low 50's and pretty windy. Everything is wet and hanging in the lean-to. About 2 hours ago another south bounder showed up. His name is Will (Boulder Climber). He is from Kentucky and he has only been on the trail since the 7th. This means he has been putting in 20 mile days every day. He said he wants to be done in 3 months. That is a really aggressive hike. Will has no sleeping mat, water filter, fleece, extra clothes or any toys. His pack weighs in at 25 lbs., fully loaded with food and water... my pack is still up toward 50 and I feel like a turtle compared to Will.My objective is to shed as much weight out of my pack as safely as possible and start cranking out more miles. I made a goal today to try and accomplish 100 miles in 3 days once I get to some easier states. The north bounders tell me that in states like Maryland you can hike 20+ miles over rolling hills and dirt paths... at some point, 100 miles in 3 days...Alex, Gretta and myself are trying to establish trail names for the two of them. They call me Phoenix all of the time. We are trying to get ATM to stick for Alex (Appalachian Trail Mango). He is obsessed with the Mango strips within his trail mix. Apparently he has always had an obsession with Mango... but out here little indulgences turn in to mouth watering obsessions. He is always constantly looking for an ATM and never has cash.We have been calling Gretta ATG (all terrain Gret). Gretta is small, probably close to 100 lbs. Her pack weighs close to 1/2 her body weight. She keeps moving at mine and Alex's pace no matter what we are climbing. She is also extremely well prepared and well organized. We fall back on her as our GPS or ATG.Alex also has a dog that is coming on the trail once they reach the Penn. area. The dogs name is Check (Australian Shepherd). I think it hilarious that ATM will have a side kick named Check!Going to sleeeeep!   Phoenix3"by myself but not alone"