Day 32, First Stealth

August 14

306.3 down, 1897.6 to go

Hitched a ride to the trailhead. Hitch hiking is so much easier with a pack on! It was cloudy and first. We were positive it would rain, the clouds were a nasty grey. It didn't. In fact, the clouds burnt off and it was a beautiful sunny hike. We stopped in to Imp Shelter to fill up on water. Our Sawyer Squeeze takes seconds compared to the pump filter! Saves so much time. The caretaker was pretty great with explaining where the great campsites were, so we continued on a bit past the shelter and found the place, in the middle of the woods. We could see hikers on the trail, but they couldn't see us. Probably how bears feel. Creepy.

Day 31, The Rough Days

August 13

Unexpected zero

So if you were wondering if we've ever thought about quitting, we (mostly me, Billy) have. Today was rough. We got started, had an easy hike up to Rattle River Shelter, just 1.6 from the trail head in Gorham. It was cold. It was rainy. I was homesick and missed Grover. 

We were at the shelter waiting out the rain and I thought about being home. We decided before just throwing in the towel, we would pray about it and talk it through, spend another night back in Gorham. We got Dunkin' Donuts and coffee. Not sure if it was the encouragement from Floss (finally got his phone back from guess who...Pixie and Steps) and other hikers, being out of the rain, motivation from family or the coffee, but we felt better. It was most likely the coffee.

Evening brought pizza with Floss, Pixie and Steps and some beer at a local bar. Back on the trail tomorrow! Why give up now? Life isn't easy. The trail isn't easy. But both are worth the while!

Found out about care packages coming...

A delightful breakfast! We cleaned out empty peanut butter jars and put sticks of butter in to use for frying bagels in the morning. Oatmeal isn't as good as it used to be...

Day 30, Gorham

August 12 

298.3 down, 1887 to go

We got an early start today and enjoyed a leasiurely 6.9 mile hike into Gorham. Two peaks and some downhill, not bad. Such a sunny, perfect day!

We got picked up by the kind folks at White Birches Camping Park. We showered and did laundry, washed our sleeping bags, as they weren't as fresh after a month. 

We sent our filter back and got our Sawyer Squeeze in the mail. We are excited to use it. It takes so much less time than pump filtering and only weighs .3 ounces! 

We stocked up on food for the Whites at Wal-Mart. It was nice not to pay ridiculous small town convenience store prices! We are hoping to get work for stay at the huts in the Whites. There are about 8 huts in the Whites, the rest of the time there are shelters to stay in, but since the Whites are such a popular tourist attraction, you have to pay to stay ($8 per person). Hence the reason people call AMC the Appalachian Money Club. We might end up stealthing if we see some good sights.

Enjoying fresh food and lounging around. This hostel also has a RV park, so showers are only 25 cents for 5 minutes. There is a bounce house and a merry-go-round that we had some fun on.

Heading out into the Whites tomorrow. Planning on 7-8 days and hoping for good weather (the Whites are infamously windy.) Almost to the 300 mile mark! Slowly but surely. We are excited to start picking up the space after New Hampshire.

The Sawyer Squeeze. The filter itself is the black part. The bag on the end can be removed and the filter will screw on to a water bottle, to hold the unfiltered water. Can be squeezed into mouth, bladder, bottle or container.

Side note: if you weren't able to comment previously, we changed our settings. Feel free to comment away! We love hearing from family and friends.

Day 29, New Hampshire

August 11

291.4 down, 1894.5 to go

Floss showed up to our tent this morning and realized he dropped his wallet somewhere between Old Speck and The Notch. He left a pocket on his backpack open. It was holding his phone, cash and cards!

Bummed, he followed behind us and we started our climb. At the top of a hill, overlooking Gorham, he called his mom to see if there was any chance shed gotten a call from someone. She had, half an hour ago! They had everything of his and would meet us in Gorham!

A trail angel.

The day was beautiful and sunny. We went over a bunch of little mountains and had some great views. There were some technical parts, using ladders, metal poles and dropping our trekking poles to reach up and down. We crossed over to New Hampshire! First state down, 13 to go!

Got to our campsite, Trident Col to realize it was packed! The first guys we ran into said their spot was full, so we looked all down the other spots, only to realize they were taken as well. We pitched our tent right by the entrance on a grassy spot. When Floss showed up, near dark, he found a spot right by the guys. They were obviously not thru hikers!

First view of Gorham

Floss on the state line

Us crossing the state line

Karma took these pictures on our second day, fording a river. Back when I had a second shirt

Day 28, Mahoosucs

August 10

276.9 down, 1909 to go

Woke up in the middle of the night to a slight rustling sound. "Is that a mouse getting into our food bags, Ethan?" Nudge. "Hmmm..." Nudge harder. The sound is still going and getting louder. Maybe it's on our side of the lean to. Orrin thuds his leg to scare it away. The sound is still going. NotYet turns on the headlamp. What's looking at us? Sets of wide eyes, chomping on bushes. Moose were having their midnight snack!

Once we got back to sleep, after the moose left, we slept well. We met a married couple on the way up Old Speck. We enjoyed chatting with them for a bit. At the top of the mountain, we received the highest compliment. The woman told NotYet, "don't take this the wrong way, but you really don't smell bad!" A big compliment for a thru hiker!

We started down the Mahoosuc Arm, after being warned by several NoBos that it was so steep we'd be putting our trekking poles down and sliding down the rock on our butts. We got going down and had to pull out our guide, expecting another uphill before the descent of the arm started. We were already halfway down the arm...great! We are seasoned hikers! The arm was nothing worse than we'd seen so far in Maine.

The Notch was a scrambled boulder pit, a mile long. It was hard, but fun! Made it to Full Goose Pond Shelter. Officially in AMC, Appalachian Mountain Club, territory and out of MATC, Maine Appalachian Trail Club territory. That means less blazes and random signs for other trails. The AMC is also known as the Appalachian Money Club by thru hikers, since they often charge for stay at shelters. Boo!

Posing by the AT sign, before going over Old Speck

The Notch

NotYet climbing down a crevasse in The Notch

A typical shelter

Sign on a privy

Day 27, Shelter Zero

August 9

Zero Day

After being woken up in the dark night to hard rain and thunder that shook the shelter, we packed our bags and waited out the rain. It didn't stop. It was the hardest rain we've seen since since being on the trail. Fortunately, staying at The Cabin another night saved us another days food. Since today's hike was going over the Mahoosuc Arm and notch, a very steep downhill followed by "the most difficult or hard mile on the trail," we decided we did not want to do it in a thunderstorm. So, we spent the day the shelter, bonding with floss over Foster The People (our favorite band) and shared ingredients: tortilla with avocado  and cheese.

Five guys showed up midday, who were old high school buddies going on their annual hike. They were soaked and got to the shelter to break from the rain. They made tea, complete with powdered milk, and shared! They got on their way soon after to complete their "three hike" (three day hike).

Pixie and Steps also showed up for the night. They regretted not going over Baldpate the day before, since they hiked in the pouring rain. They took off cold, wet clothes and got comfy in the shelter.

A while later, Orrin showed up. He was a SoBo alumni, who hiked the trail in 2000. He passed out Snickers to everyone and shared stories of his experience. He was there to scope out a trail for a day hike to take with his kids, who are 4 and 6. He was fun company.

A great day, stir crazy, but great!

Day 26, Baldpate

August 8

264.9 down, 1921 to go

We slept until 7, everyone was already at breakfast. No worries, we still got more than stuffed! We started around 9, making our way up Baldpate Mountain. It started out gradual but become steep at the top, we were walking on solid rock, a little slick from rain. The top was beautiful! We were over the clouds and watching them float by other mountains. There was a little bit of drizzle on the way down, but only briefly. We are staying at Baldpate Lean To tonight. Floss is here as well. 

Top of Baldpate