Make it count: Day #156

Saturday, August 15th - Day #156 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 10.9
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 2104.5/2,193 (95.96%)

Long Pond Stream Lean To (2093.6) to Chairback Gap Lean To (2104.5)

Total ascent - 3,578’
Total descent - 2,506’

Total states completed - 13/14

**No Rain - Really nice weather day. Temperatures even a little cool this evening.

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A bounce back day for me today. I didn’t know what to expect or how I would feel - so I left the shelter 30 minutes before Sam & Slider/Granger. I got out at 6:30am - they were targeting 7am for departure. I fully anticipated them catching me on the first climb of the morning. But - I never saw them. I even waited 30 minutes at the peak of the climb - but still nobody. I was getting cold at the summit - so I decided to press on. I ended up walking the whole day by myself. I got into the shelter at 2:30pm - they all showed about an hour later.

I was really surprised they didn’t catch me. I felt OK today - but I was still going so slow because of the brutal course. I guess those guys found the course just as hard as me - we all commented that it was one of the toughest days for us since the Whites.

Today I passed the 2,100 mile marker. The last “100 mile mark” of the trip. 88.5 miles to go! Tomorrow will be the last hilly section before Katahdin. We won’t see anything over 2,000’ the rest of the way before the end.

5:30pm - I’ve been resting this afternoon since arriving into camp. Chickweed, Cambyr, and Cookie Monster just arrived. They’re staying here tonight as well. Chickweed’s little boy - Trey - is joining them for this section of the hike. I think he’s 12 years old. He’s gone 25 miles so for in 2 days - which is absolutely amazing to me. Chickweed & Cambyr have been on trail nearly 6 months - completely experienced with solid trail legs. This boy is on Day #2 - it’s going to be challenging for him to keep up with them. Chickweed is carrying almost all his gear to give him a chance.

I’m finishing up the blog early (before dinner) - so I can get max hours of sleep tonight. Tomorrow is a huge day - 17.1 miles with 4,700’ vertical. I can do this! I can do this! If I get through tomorrow - the terrain becomes flatter. Only 6 days left on my journey!!

I’m going to say it every night until the end - Here’s to staying healthy and strong!!

Goodnight from the 100-mile wilderness!