Make it count: Day #146

Wednesday, August 5th - Day #146 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 13.1

Total Miles Hiked on AT - 1972.6/2,193 (89.95%)

ME Route 17 (1959.5) to ME Route 4 (1972.6) - Town & Lake Motel, Rangeley, ME

Total ascent - 2,025’

Total descent - 2,703’

Total States Completed - 13/14

**No Rain - Nice weather day. Highs in the mid 70’s

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Hurricane Isaias passed through overnight. Incredibly - I awoke to blue skies. We had a 7am shuttle setup to take us back to the trail. Jake - the brother of our waitress last night - helped us out with the shuttle ride. It’s amazing how things continue to happen to get me through this AT journey - incredible!

The hike today was pretty straight forward and not as difficult as the first few days in Maine. It’s sort of the calm before the storm - as Mile 1,972 through Mile 2,015 will have 9 peaks over 4,000’. I have 3-4 really tough days ahead - then the terrain should start getting a bit easier into Katahdin.

Today was mostly ridge walking with some bumps here and there. We were able to average nearly 2 miles/hr. 7:30am to 2:45pm for 13.1 miles. Sam, Slider/Granger and I stayed together the whole day. It’s been a lot more fun these past few days having these guys to chat with on the course.

We’re starting a 3 day push to Stratton, ME starting tomorrow morning. A 10.7 mile day is on the books - with over 4,000’ vertical ascent. The morning starts with a grueling 2,500’ climb. Heavy packs will undoubtedly lead to a slow pace.

220.4 miles to go!! Some people we know are nearing the finish. It’s really cool to see their twitter posts. It’s definitely a motivation to see them nearing Katahdin. I want to feel that emotion.

I just need to continue to be patient these next few days - then - I hope to be able to push more miles. I think Sam, Slider/Granger and I are planning to stick together to the finish. We tentatively looked at the schedule to Katahdin - projected completion around August 21-22.

Originally - when I created my schedule for the AT - I projected a August 15th finish. I’m going to be a few days over - but finishing is what counts. The schedule did me well. Adding a couple days because of the Smokeys bypass and a few more days in Maine/New Hampshire - all good. The average completion is 5-7 months. If I can finish by Aug 21-22 - this would be 5 months and a week. I’d take it. I just need to stay focused and execute the plan to the finish.

Thanks for all the support. Goodnight from Rangeley, ME!