Make it count: Day #160

Wednesday, August 19th - Day #160 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 15.1
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 2178.0/2,193 (99.32%). 15 miles left!!

Rainbow Stream Lean To (2162.9) to Abol Pines (2178.0) - staying in a cabin at Abol Pines

Total ascent - 1551’
Total descent - 1979’

Total states completed - 13/14

**No Rain - Perfect weather day. 75 - high. 55 - low

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99.32% completed - that’s an A - right? Should I stop now? —— Not a chance!!

Coming to you live at a picnic table outside our small cabin at Abol Pines Campground.

We did 15.1 miles in quick fashion this morning.
We got into Abol Pines around 12:45pm. Initially - we had plans just to camp. But - the campsite offers small cabins - so we opted for a roof over our heads. All 4 of us are staying in this tiny cabin (effectively a bunk house).

It’s been a relaxing day. They have showers and laundry here at the campground - so I showered and did my last load of laundry on the AT. The campground also has a small general store. I was able to get a few snacks for the final 2 days. For dinner - I just ate some mashed potatoes through the use of my stove.

The other nice thing about getting done early today - it allowed me to air out all my wet gear from the rain day we had yesterday. In addition to just being muddy and sloppy - wet gear is a lot heavier as well. It’s nice to take off that extra weight.

Another huge thing happened today - I saw a MOOSE! I was leading the group out of camp this morning. It was around 6:45am. We had been on trail for 30 minutes - walking by this boggy lake. You could see the fog rise above the water, the sun started to beam off the ripples — this lake was made for moose. I rounded a corner and was now walking directly toward the lake. I see this big brown horizontal image through the trees. (All the trees are vertical and this brown blob just stuck out). I was only 30 yards or so away. I stopped. I kept looking - and sure enough - I see the horns of a bull moose as he brought his head up out of the water. The rest of the guys were 50+ yards behind me. I motioned for them to come quickly. We were able to watch it in the water near the shore. After 5 minutes - it walked out of the water onto the AT trail. He was only 25 yards or so away (I’ve seen several moose in my travels - the sheer size of these monsters always amazes me) He just stopped and stared at me. I froze - having already identified cover if needed. He stared at me for 20-30 seconds - then turned and headed up the trail. We could only see him for a minute more - and he was gone again. Moose are elusive - it was amazing to see one in this setting!

OK - 2 more days left in my journey!! Only 15 miles away!! I can’t believe it!! You’re probably wondering why we don’t just finish tomorrow - considering we only have 15 miles. Well - the rules around climbing Mt Katahdin in Baxter State Park are complicated. AT thru-hikers have to sign up at a kiosk the day before their summit day - to give them the right to proceed through the park to a shelter called - The Birches - to camp on the eve of their summit attempt. Only 12 AT thru hikers are allowed to proceed to The Birches each day (way of keeping traffic down on the mountain). Well - the kiosk to sign up is located 1/2 mile down the trail from where I’m staying tonight. You can’t sign up until the day you want to hike to The Birches - and you can’t go over there and get signed up early and then start your hike later in the day. You have to sign up on your way. it’s monitored closely. (It’s really kind of odd if you ask me - you have all these plans and they could be totally busted if you’re not 1 of the first 12 on the list - and you wouldn’t know until the day you’re trying to make it happen). All this might sound a bit confusing - only thing you need to know - we’re going to start our hike really early tomorrow so we can hopefully assure ourselves a place at The Birches. If we get a spot - it’s only a 9.8 mile walk for us. This positions us at the base of Mt Katahdin - for our push to the summit and completion of the AT on Friday.

I’m bummed I have not had cell coverage the past 2 days. I’m writing the blog everyday - and will post as soon as I can.

15 miles to go!!! Here’s to continued good health and strength - and getting a spot at The Birches to assure our final summit push on Friday.

Goodnight from the footsteps of Mt Katahdin!