Make it count: Day #144

Monday, August 3rd - Day #144 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 10.1
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1946.2/2,193 (88.75%)

East B Hill Rd (1936.1) to South Arm Road (1946.2) - Pine Ellis Lodging in Andover, ME

Total ascent - 3,319’
Total descent - 3,327’

Total States Completed - 13/14

**No Rain - Overcast day - hurricane Isaias approaching

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Really good day out there today. We made solid time - starting around 7:30am and finishing at 2pm. Still 6-1/2 hours for 10.1 miles - but better than the past few days.

I had a couple close calls today. I fell pretty hard on my wrist from a wet rock - but I think it’s going to be alright. I can’t tell you how thankful I am every time I get up from a fall. Again - falls happen all the time. Granger took a really nasty spill on her knee today and Sam hit her elbow hard in the Mahoosuc Notch. I mentioned it before - everybody is banged up out here right now - you just play/hike through the pain

The other close call was me STEPPING ON A SNAKE. Not long after taking a break at a shelter - I was leading our group down the trail (me, Sam, Granger, and Slider). They were all following closely behind me because we had just left the shelter a 1/2 mile back. I was keeping a nice clip - as the trail was very flat in this area. I’m cruising along and step over a rock. As I’m stepping - I see the snake. I was already in motion - committed - I stepped down on the tail of a garter snake. The snake was bolting off the trail when my foot came down. It made no attempt to bite me. Even though it was non venomous- you don’t want to risk an infection from a snake bite. After a few deep breaths and me regaining my composure - the group was all laughing at me. I guess I stopped on a dime and actually jumped back all at the same time. They couldn’t believe I was able to stop instantaneously with the pace we were going. So - Maine does not actually have any poisonous snakes. I was told that - and I just looked it up to confirm. But when you’re getting ready to step on a snake - you’re mind doesn’t have time to process if it’s poisonous or not. It turned out OK - but the adrenaline was pumping for a while after this incident.

I’m staying at the Pine Ellis Hostal again tonight. We’re preparing for the effects of Hurricane Isaias. The Hurricane is expected to bring heavy rains and winds into Maine - primarily starting late afternoon/evening on Tuesday. The goal tomorrow is to get out early and get our miles in by mid afternoon. Then - we’ll see how bad it gets if we need to take a. Zero on Wednesday.

I was able to get an afternoon nap in today after the hike. We went up to the convenience store for both lunch and dinner. Bacon cheeseburger for lunch and a chicken Caesar salad for dinner - all good.

Here’s to getting through this upcoming storm event safely. Here’s to continued strength and good health.

Thanks for everybody’s support out there. Goodnight from the homestretch of the AT!