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Post by AegisIII on Jul 20, 2022 19:58:57 GMT -8
Looks like you've traveled thru my area here. First, it looks like they did a good job fixing up the Quarry Gap Shelter. I did a short loop there in the spring, and the southern half of the shelter was closed due to a tree having fell on it.
And some corrections: your Raven Rock is actually Black Rock. Been there more than a few times; I'd go even more often, but that area is awfully popular and the main parking area is large and often full or more so. Raven Rock is further north, partway up the final NB climb in MD, looking over the hollow of the same name and into the Smithsburg area. The graffiti is on High Rock (it's more paint than stone now). Pen Mar Park is the park just south of the RR tracks near the state line. Worst of all, I don't think that's a tick, but a spotted lanternfly, not good news for the area.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jul 21, 2022 3:18:45 GMT -8
AegisIIIThank you for the corrections! Will adjust, Especially the tick. I submitted a photo to a tick website and it is not a tick but as you point out a spotted lantern fly.Your feedback much appreciated!
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jul 21, 2022 3:29:31 GMT -8
zeke Thanks Zeke! Have Fenway tickets for Friday night and Sunday afternoon vs. Toronto. The last game I attended was in 2003, so this is a really big treat for me! Traveling to Millinocket, ME on Monday. Plan is to hike SOBO from Katahdin to Gorham, NH. Expecting the to meet the caravan hiking NOBO and hopefully encountering hikers I met early on. Next year I will finish the AT starting NOBO from Duncannon, PA to Mount Hale in the Pemi where I began my AT sample hike last year beginning there and ending in Gorham, NH. Mount Hale was my first 4,000-footer 50 years ago and a fitting start and finish to complete the AT. As they say on the AT, "See you down trail!"
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Jul 26, 2022 10:11:05 GMT -8
Executing a baby flip to Katahdin. Meanwhile enjoyed four days in Boston brushing up on my New English. At present in Millinocket, ME prepping for Katahdin tomorrow and subsequently 100-Mile Wilderness south to New Hampshire. Lewiston, PA - Lewiston Station (1849) is the oldest station in the Pennsylvania RR system. 30th Street Station - Philadelphia, PA.Morning alpenglow, Boston, MA from hotel room in Southie.Leaving Fenway after losing to Toronto 28-5. Highest opponent score in Red Sox (1901) history! Witnessed a baseball rarity, an inside-the-park grand slam home run (Raimel Tapia - Toronto Outfielder)Enjoyed a nautical afternoon - Boston HarborHanging with John Glover on Commonwealth Avenue.Neighborhood bar and restaurant near hotel. Sunday afternoon at Fenway. Toronto 8, Red Sox 4. Great fun nevertheless. Grandstand Section 15, Row 1, Seat 12. Excellent view and location. Appalachian Trail Lodge, Millinocket, ME - Trail town at northern terminus of the AT.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 26, 2022 21:17:22 GMT -8
Have a great time with the SB bits! Climbing the knife-edge on Katahdin? I enjoyed that, mostly .
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GaliWalker
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 29, 2022 21:26:20 GMT -8
Our very own jmitch started a couple of weeks ago. He’s done with Georgia and is currently hiking through North Carolina. FYI: jmitch completed his through-hike a few hours ago. I hope he puts up some type of report here, just like this one.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Aug 6, 2022 6:24:26 GMT -8
Mount Katahdin and the 100 Mile Wilderness - The scent of krummholz combined with early morning alpenglow as you approach a summit is what you came for. There are places you simply want to sit down, make yourself comfortable and spend hours watching wind ripples across a lake or a vista highlighting an expanse of forest with no roads or buildings in view. This section was slow going and grueling at times, worth every step. Rather tired at the minute and resting in Monson, ME. Breaking tree line on the Hunt Trail ascending Katahdin. The Hunt Trail has an abundance of Class 3 scrambling that often seems endless. Large tundra flat traverse to final summit.Mount Katahdin (5,267') in Baxter State Park, ME is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Chimney Pond below, is located in one of the three glacial basins on the northeast aspect of Katahdin.Kidney Pond - Location of my overnight digs on summit day.Upscale Baxter State Park accommodations, frontage on Kidney Pond, clean and a gas light!West Peak (2,502') from a Nesowadehunk Stream crossing.One of the many waterfalls along the way. Katahdin from Abol Bridge over the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Difficulty is the operative word.It's Sparky! We consistently come across each other, since early April! Do I have to go?Shelters are called Lean-to's in Maine. After a strenuous day on the trail, not having to pitch a tent is sweet.Nahmakanta Lake - Ever been told to "Go jump in a lake." I did.Mud Pond outletMany, many bog sectionsMorning mist White Cap Mountain.Glacial striations are scratches cut into bedrock by glacial abrasion.Me and my shadowKrummholz MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club) is remarkable for their ongoing efforts to maintain the trail Anticipation high when approaching upcoming viewpoint.Second NarrowsSporting new haircut - (Russ's Barber Shop, Millinocket, ME) Traversing the four summits of the Chairback Range.Lake Onawa from a ridge along Barren Mountain.An enjoyable encounter - Popeye, just retired from 25 years active service in the US Coast Guard. Crossing the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad tracks
Renovated and restored in 2017, Monson General Store features local food sources for their deli and groceries.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 6, 2022 6:32:12 GMT -8
OK, so there's the pics. Now, will there be any stories? How many days did it take you, the seasoned hiker, to do the 100 mile section to Monson?
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Aug 6, 2022 8:29:34 GMT -8
zeke Took ten days from summit day, through 100 Mile Wilderness to Monson. Official mileage 114.5. Mostly 10–12-mile days. Scenery is stunning, vertical descent and ascent brutal, trail tricky with roots galore, boulder, rocks, mud, can be very steep, must be careful going down, and the most hazardous is the metamorphose from beautiful sticky granite, to slip and slide slate! It's a double edge sword. The trail is tough and the desire to linger and ponder is extremely high, thus the combination of those to factors didn't make for big mileage. Sadly, many NOBO's about to finish are ready to be done with the whole thing and traveling as fast as possible to get their through-hike over and done with. Notable: Going forward, have come across 35-45 NOBO thru hikers. Many reunions from down trail. Expect to encounter the bubble next 10 days. Contrarian Bonus: In the 100-Mile Wilderness, spent four nights in shelters without a "roommate". The SOBO's are long gone and the NOBO's starting to trickle in. "I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it." Shakespeare
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 6, 2022 8:47:35 GMT -8
Even on 5-6 day trips, I often found myself hurrying to the car on the last day, with visions of cheeseburgers and pie in my brain. I totally missed out on whatever scenery I was walking through on that day. Thus, I can understand the NOBO hikers hurrying to get the thru finished.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 6, 2022 11:38:21 GMT -8
Cool to see the stuff around Katahdin and the 100-mile Wilderness. I’ve been around in that area a few times and it brings back memories.
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Post by AegisIII on Aug 6, 2022 19:24:12 GMT -8
Who's the invisible person wearing just a hat next to Popeye?
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Aug 7, 2022 16:54:35 GMT -8
AegisIIIMy trail angel! Actually his hat 🎩 on a trekking pole!
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Aug 24, 2022 10:27:27 GMT -8
Greetings from Andover, ME. NH state line 25 trail miles south and Gorham, NH another 15. Maine has been short miles and more smiles! Had ear infection. Long story, short. Got prescription, pharmacy 40 miles away, that's a problem. A complete stranger flying into Portland from Philly and driving to Rangeley collected and paid for my prescription enroute and dropped it off at my motel. On the AT there is a saying, "The Trail provides." Incredible. Willy from France is a conservatory trained violinist from France - Super Cool! Immature spruce grouse
A still early morning Gray morning nearing a minor summit Nice room at Sterling Inn -Caratunk, ME Crossing Kennebec River by canoe, that's Gypsy at the forward paddle position. Kennebec River Trailside waterfall Bog highway Before the dark side West Carry Lake and Arnold Point First light - A look back at Little Bigelow Mountain (3,025') Strenuous hike to Bigelow - Avery Peak Bigelow West Peak (4,150') Flagstaff Lake Bigelow Preserve - a 10,000-acre lake, forest and alpine managed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Foresty.
Oh My Gosh Corner, Carrabassett Valley, ME - Sadness, hat off and a silent prayer for my younger brother, John Llewelyn Weston, who lost his life here 30 years ago. L-R Gypsy (Wisconsin), Chicken Wing (Florida), Stray (N. Virginia), Love Bug (California & White Sox (Louisiana) Pleasurable forest surroundings for a break. Ridge to Saddleback (4,120'). Weather event pending - The Horn (4,041'). Saddleback and The Horn comprise one of the largest alpine zones in Maine. Totally awesome and well-deserved digs in Rangeley, ME - Town & Lake Motel Enjoyed an extended break on this congenial summit! Blast from the past, here's Burnt Foot. Last saw him at Laughing Heart Lodge, Boiling Springs, NC in April! Forget the lobster, you haven't been to Maine until you've had one of these! Sparky! Our paths cross often, NOBO, SOBO or slack packing. First met this family in Blount, VA. They flipped to Monson, ME from Harpers Ferry, WV. Was fun to meet them again. Sawyer Notch - A busy snowmobile route in Winter Mills Market, Andover, ME - Small town vibe, great sit-down restaurant and frequented by Tucker Carlson.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 25, 2022 5:40:06 GMT -8
That was great as always Westy Thanks for sharing!
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