2010-appalachian-trail

Day 2

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 01:43:31 +0100

We traveled a hard eleven miles today. Most of the hike was was flat, no real mountains but the sun was hot, the bugs were ruthless and our packs were at their heaviest. My pack weighed about 55 pounds and Matt's pack was 45 pounds, most of our weight was in food because while on the 100 mile wilderness there is no chance to resupply. We got lucky today tho, not getting rained on was nice after all the rain that we faced on Mt. Katahdin. The rain held off until we got our last stake placed in the ground and the tent all the way popped.

Packing our tent and bags next to Katahdin stream and eating hot oatmeal as the sun cam up over the mountain was relaxing. The stream was the coldest stream I had ever touched the water was so clear I thought about drinking it straight, I still however used my filter just to be on the safe side, I have never tasted water that good, cold and refreshing. Once our packs were full we used a near by picnic table to prop them up as we strapped them on our backs, these are now our first steps in full gear. Right then and there I realized that I could have found a way to pack lighter.

Walking down the dirt road looking for the trail we passed a few hikers who we saw on the mountain yesterday. In our small talk with them they told us that they had already given up on the thru-hike and said they might leap frog the trail. I knew people give up all the time but never thought people give up after the first day. The trail is beautiful and almost heavenly but don't be misled it is also very hard.

My treking polls made a crunching sound with every step and soon we were off the dirt road and on a trail following every white southbound dash we saw. It was a beautiful start of the day a couple deer walked in front of us on the trail and we stood and just watched them as they watched us, as if we were just another normal every day friend to them. About halfway through the day we arrived at Big Niagara one of the more beautiful places to rest. Big Niagara has flat rocks that you could lay comfortably on while listing to a powerful waterfall and nice pool areas that I dipped my swollen feet into we took a break there for about 15 minuets ate a snack and took some photos. Once we got our gear back on we walked about 10 minuets down the trail and had to take it all back off again. We arrived at our first river fording this is where we met up with Pluto and Chirs (trail name I forget) and Shavargo. Pluto and Chris had been pacing up and down the riverbank trying to find the best spot to cross. The river was ice cold and moving very fast and very deep. Matt and I decided to strip to our underwear so our cloths can stay dry, knowing that the water is going to at least come to our waist. Pluto and Chris looked like they found the right spot to cross and Chris was half way to the other side when his foot slipped on a rock and in and under he went, it looked scary but he was ok just 30 pounds heaver. Our turn soon came, Matt made two trips across the river, not wanting to fall in. I just hung my boots of my pack and jumped in. The word shrinkage does not do it justice, more like retreatage. We got to the other side and geared back up and shortly down the trail we did it all over again this part of the river was easier to cross, probably because we were champions at river crossing, the Oregon Trail game had nothing on us.

We arrived at our campsite exhausted and hungry. We used a crappy wood burning stove that I found on the internet and thought Id give it a try as a back up stove, it sucked. There was a camp store up by the road they had already made sandwiches and a bunch of junk food...Matt who went by Snacks while on the trail was in snack heaven and well so was I. After eating we set up our tent, just as the sky opened back up. We would sleep well and dry tonight.

matt and I at Big Niagara

Christopher Burks

Day 1

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:12:13 +0100

The climb of Mt. Katahdin was great for about two hours. The next seven hours however were ether spent getting rained on and walking in a wet cloud. Once we reached the summate we were faced with rain and sleet, every so often the clouds broke open to produce some amazing breathtaking views.

At one of the ranger stations we were shown a couple trails on maps that we could take to get to the top of the mountain, we chose to go up Abol and down the Hunt trail. This would have given us a nice round trip, or so we thought.

Most of the hike on the Abol Trail was a beautiful. Then it turned into steep paths, and out of nowhere the trail turned into hand, over hand, pull your self up giant rocks, kind of trail. This is right about the time it started to rain on us. Perfect timing too because dry rocks are too easy to climb. I prefer to have a chance to slip and fall to my death on nice wet ones. I think it was right around this time when I had to stop and pause just to say to my self “I am literally climbing a mountain,” just incase I forgot what it was I had been doing the last two hours.

Around this time my body took a moment to remind me that it was a little over weight and out of shape. I believe it gave me the option to turn around at that point or hurt for a long time to come. I gave my body no such satisfaction. I kept going. It was only muscle pain, and that can be taking care of by some Ibuprofen. When I got back to camp I made sure to do just that.

Seeing the summit sign was truly amazing. I was tired, out of breath and looked like a drown dog. All and all the climb was hard, cold, wet, painful and beautiful. About half way back down my legs started to give out on me, I had the people I was hiking with just go ahead with out me so that I could sit and rest. The best way to describe what I did is to have you climb up and down staircases or sky scrapers for 8hrs straight with a back pack on .

I am now in my tent on the A.T. my legs are starting to get the feeling back in them and yes it is still raining. Tomorrow should be interesting.

On The Trail

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:33:03 +0100

My husband and I dropped Matt and Christopher off at Baxter State Park Tuesday morning. They were greeted by a few great Park Rangers who were very helpful and gave them some great advice to get them started on their trip.

The night before, they had their last meal.
Fresh Maine Lobster!!!

Christopher is planning on sending me letters to have posted on his site. I'm not sure how often that will be. So for now, stay tuned and I'll update as soon as I get the letters.
-Sara

Food

Thu, 27 May 2010 16:45:06 +0100

Yesterday Matt and I went to a wholesale club and stocked up on rice, pasta, and other yumz. Today we will be putting things in boxes to ship out to spots along the trail...

I CAN'T WAIT!

35 days left

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:29:32 +0100

Can't wait to get on the trail. My sister will be updating my site with the mail I write to her along the trail. So right now im teaching her how to use my website.

Stocking Up

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:33:43 +0100

I get more and more excited about going on the AT ever day. For Christmas I got some matches and other fire starting things, yes as a child I once almost set the house on fire so I question if these things are in wise hands now. None the less along with an REI gift card I had a good Christmas. I ordered some books from http://www.atctrailstore.org/ I was way stoked when they arrived. Today I ventured out to L.L. Bean and got a few little handy things. I don't have all that much money right now so I am stocking up a little at a time I spent around $30 on the books and today $33 on a small solar powered/crank radio/flashlight/cell phone charger, compact can openers, a super cool salt and pepper shaker and soap called wilderness wash its friendly to the environment and can be used for shampoo, dishes, clothing and body wash. Its super concentrated so with everything that Im packing it fits into my little goes a long way mind set. Ill keep you guys updated as new things arrive.

Christopher Burks