The summit on 08/09/08 was a grand day. 4 friends came up to climb the mountain and we had a pretty good time in the 10 hours of doing so. The rennisance costumes afforded us many interesting questions and comments as well as some grand photos.
I don't think I can adequetly explain the feeling of when I first saw the cluster of people around the summit. Many photos were had and then due to it being foggy and cold we headed back down the hill.
I suspect the warnings about only carrying low weight up the mountain are for those not in shape. As it is I carried about 25lbs of costume up with an additional 10lbs of food/water/misc. I came out of it perfectly fine...we shall just attribute my oddness to the other parts of the trip :)
A big thanks to all that helped in this trip and came out for the big final. Ill be shipping out photos as soon as I can go through them and cull. There is something like 2k photos.
People wanting to contact me: 149 Cape RD, Standish ME 04084 or 207-602-1443.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Embracing the Zero mile days
A day in town waiting for the sunshine. I have eaten at the same sandwich shop I always do when I come to this town. Its a little Italian deli called Orvieto. Should ever find yourself up here I would recommend the place for great prices, and better food. The owner is really nice too and as odd as it seems when you know me and my anti-advertisement attitude I have been telling people for about 1k miles about that sub shop. mmmmm. I may have to go back tonight.
I spent the last few hours catching up with Lisa, a cousin that grew up with in Stonington, ME but have not seen in probably 25 years. Its interesting how the old connections leave you with so much in common...even if I do look like a hardened criminal in my skully fleece hat :)
In talking with someone from the Katahdin Press I found out that Millinocket is working on a sort of northern Maine trail fest for mid September. That's amazingly cool since this is the northern terminus and there seems to be a lot of support for us hikers up in this area. I'm amazed at how many people have not taken advantage of the former Governors (1920's?) gift of "Baxter state park."
Its still raining which is fine. Hopefully tomorrow will be the partly cloudy with chance of rain that the park predicted. I'm looking forward to it and for the guys to show up in a few hours. The journey will not be completely over as I hope to get together a 'best of' photos to burn cd's of them for any that are intersted.
Well I guess I should start the mile or so walk to where I said I would meet the guys. A quick jaunt in the rain. The feet are feeling much better but the replacement shoes didn't arrive so the trek up the mountain will be in the cursed boots I have. C'est la vi, no?
"Smile it confuses people"
:)
I spent the last few hours catching up with Lisa, a cousin that grew up with in Stonington, ME but have not seen in probably 25 years. Its interesting how the old connections leave you with so much in common...even if I do look like a hardened criminal in my skully fleece hat :)
In talking with someone from the Katahdin Press I found out that Millinocket is working on a sort of northern Maine trail fest for mid September. That's amazingly cool since this is the northern terminus and there seems to be a lot of support for us hikers up in this area. I'm amazed at how many people have not taken advantage of the former Governors (1920's?) gift of "Baxter state park."
Its still raining which is fine. Hopefully tomorrow will be the partly cloudy with chance of rain that the park predicted. I'm looking forward to it and for the guys to show up in a few hours. The journey will not be completely over as I hope to get together a 'best of' photos to burn cd's of them for any that are intersted.
Well I guess I should start the mile or so walk to where I said I would meet the guys. A quick jaunt in the rain. The feet are feeling much better but the replacement shoes didn't arrive so the trek up the mountain will be in the cursed boots I have. C'est la vi, no?
"Smile it confuses people"
:)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The roots of the mountain
Well I made it to the base of the mountain where I spent last night. I was actually going to summit twice, once today with Noah-John and again on saturday but decided not to go up today. I should have never told Noah I would catch him because it has left me a little disabled. The story: I saw Noah on west Avery mountain at sunset (gorgeous) and it was a bit surreal. He then informed me that he was going to jump ahead via car. I told him I would catch up making up the 80+ mile difference in what is rumored as the hardest state. Well, I did catch him but due to a new pair of unbroken in shoes I will be loosing another toenail and have some major healing to do on my left big toe. Perhaps those 2 (nearly 3) 30+ mile days were a bad idea, but it was worth it. I made it to the campground and it was good to catch up with him.
As it is I have talked with Baxter state park and all of the Maine residence passes for 8/9/08 are taken. The park opens at 5am (I hope to be there at opening) so that we can get a space at Katahdin stream campground. It looks to be a partly sunny/cloudy day that day. The skuttlebut is that it would take me about 3-5 hours to do this summit alone, but Ill be burdened down with a very heavy midevil costume so more than likely it will take me about the same time as everyone else and I suspect the hike to be between 8-12hrs. So Start time of about 6am would put us back at katahdin stream campground around 4-6pm. Hope this helps for anyone hoping to show up before or after. Ill have the cellphone on over the next day or two (207-776-6306 - I think thats the # or its 207-766-6306) so give me a call.
Good times. Its amazing how fast it went by. Its about time for me to go meet a cousin who lives in town that I have not seen for many, many years. Expect a visit from the criminal looking mountain man very soon. Mwhaaaahahhaaa....
Smile
-Aaron
As it is I have talked with Baxter state park and all of the Maine residence passes for 8/9/08 are taken. The park opens at 5am (I hope to be there at opening) so that we can get a space at Katahdin stream campground. It looks to be a partly sunny/cloudy day that day. The skuttlebut is that it would take me about 3-5 hours to do this summit alone, but Ill be burdened down with a very heavy midevil costume so more than likely it will take me about the same time as everyone else and I suspect the hike to be between 8-12hrs. So Start time of about 6am would put us back at katahdin stream campground around 4-6pm. Hope this helps for anyone hoping to show up before or after. Ill have the cellphone on over the next day or two (207-776-6306 - I think thats the # or its 207-766-6306) so give me a call.
Good times. Its amazing how fast it went by. Its about time for me to go meet a cousin who lives in town that I have not seen for many, many years. Expect a visit from the criminal looking mountain man very soon. Mwhaaaahahhaaa....
Smile
-Aaron
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Forks, ME
I'm about 2 miles north of the Kennebec River on route 201. There is a lodge/outdoor center here that caters to rafters and hikers. Its quite a lovely place and the prices are very nice. I would have kept going except for my feet hurting again. I should arrive in Monson, ME in about 1-2 days and then its only a few more to the final destination.
Yesterday I spent walking across the Bigelow Mountains and found Noah-John (the guy I had been walking with) at the summit of one of them. It was surreal and he wasnt going on much further since he is skipping ahead by car today. I walked another mile to the next peak and we spend a few min yelling to each other from a mile away. I now wish I took a video on my camera of that event. I cant find any other hikers to share my room so Ill have to make due with the 4 beds and 8 sets of towels and my own bath. The rough life. All for the low price of $32.
Well I have to go finish laundry so I can smell pretty for the bugs and mud.
Yesterday I spent walking across the Bigelow Mountains and found Noah-John (the guy I had been walking with) at the summit of one of them. It was surreal and he wasnt going on much further since he is skipping ahead by car today. I walked another mile to the next peak and we spend a few min yelling to each other from a mile away. I now wish I took a video on my camera of that event. I cant find any other hikers to share my room so Ill have to make due with the 4 beds and 8 sets of towels and my own bath. The rough life. All for the low price of $32.
Well I have to go finish laundry so I can smell pretty for the bugs and mud.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mt. Katahdin ETA: 8/9/08
I'm actually in Kingfield Maine as I write this at the friend of my grandfathers who is kind enough to let me use the interweb. I had planned on visiting David & Ruth in a few days the timetable was bumped up due to various things (including me not wanting to go over saddleback in a T-storm.) I'll get back to it tomorrow at rangely around 7am. 220 miles and 11 days to do it in (the 12 day is to summit). I invite anyone who wants to come to the top or the mountain to do so as I would love to see any of you.
The other hikers tell me 20 mpd cant be done. Of course this makes me want it more and push that much harder. I don't really care that the mud is sometimes knee deep, it kinda reminds me of those years between 3 & 16 when I went claming for a living. And the miles/terrain whatever its home turf. So to those naysayers poo-poo on you. Ill get up at 4:30am and walk until 8:30pm if I have to (and I have had to so far for 3 days) just to prove them wrong. A little sadist satisfaction.
Hopefully the hardest part is over. I did have to climb up a mountainside where there was a rock slide near andover. The rock/mudslide had taken out 3 switchbacks and left a bare/slick ravine that I didn't want to scale. So I went around and climbed up a mossy and rooty mountainside 80ft or so to get over that little inconvenience. The mud has been fun. Singing "I love mud" as well as dancing in the stuff and imitating the bog of eternal stench whenever the sucking sound of pulling my knee/calf/foot arises.
I'm not sure if Ill get another stint on the computer between now and then so if I don't talk to you though this again you'll probably see the scary hippie known as "sir bacon" soon enough. Be well and safe. See you at Katahdin or shortly thereafter.
The other hikers tell me 20 mpd cant be done. Of course this makes me want it more and push that much harder. I don't really care that the mud is sometimes knee deep, it kinda reminds me of those years between 3 & 16 when I went claming for a living. And the miles/terrain whatever its home turf. So to those naysayers poo-poo on you. Ill get up at 4:30am and walk until 8:30pm if I have to (and I have had to so far for 3 days) just to prove them wrong. A little sadist satisfaction.
Hopefully the hardest part is over. I did have to climb up a mountainside where there was a rock slide near andover. The rock/mudslide had taken out 3 switchbacks and left a bare/slick ravine that I didn't want to scale. So I went around and climbed up a mossy and rooty mountainside 80ft or so to get over that little inconvenience. The mud has been fun. Singing "I love mud" as well as dancing in the stuff and imitating the bog of eternal stench whenever the sucking sound of pulling my knee/calf/foot arises.
I'm not sure if Ill get another stint on the computer between now and then so if I don't talk to you though this again you'll probably see the scary hippie known as "sir bacon" soon enough. Be well and safe. See you at Katahdin or shortly thereafter.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"I'm not dead yet"
I hear through various methods that people are a little worried about me not checking in. Sorry about that. The colder nights killed the cellphone battery and there was little to no reception up in the hills (even when next to cell towers) and of course the "huts" only had radio. Incidentally if you were watching the Mt. Washington web-cam at 7:45am on 7/21/08 you would have seen me in front of it (i tried to call out to let people know but was unable at that time). I have been unable to see if they have an archive for that date and time. Out of danger zone now. Sighs of relief all around.
Alive and in Gorham, NH (16 miles from Maine along the AT) sharing a room with a man named "Apostle." I have been walking with him since about day 2 after the restart. I did have a brief spell where I nearly quit but after taking a 12hr nap and copious amounts of food to break the exhaustion I pushed through. Since then I have been doing what feel like slow days of 8-15 miles but when your climbing 5-15k feet in elevation every day its kinda slow going. I took my worst fall this morning and will have a bruised butt for sure and hopefully the knee will knit up by morning. It was a little hyper extended and since the right knee never had full mobility from my high school injuries its a little tender. I felt/heard a little crunch in the fall but walking it off and soaking it in a river I fjorded helped. Advil and ice tonight, then walking again tomorrow.
They say "slow down and enjoy the whites". They are wrong. I have not seen the sunshine since I was in Maine. I have seen 20' in front of me the entire of this state for it has been foggy and raining the whole time. There was one lightening storm I was in but I huddled under a rock outcropping and waited for it and the hail to pass. All in all a very unexciting and damp. There is more to come so no point complaining about it. After all its just a free 12hr shower and considering how I smell its quite refreshing :)
To quote Gandalf the White "Look to my coming on the western hills on the coming of the 3nd dawn" (or something like that...actually it will probably be the 2nd dawn but whatever.) Off to the P.O. and then to the ice machine.
Alive and in Gorham, NH (16 miles from Maine along the AT) sharing a room with a man named "Apostle." I have been walking with him since about day 2 after the restart. I did have a brief spell where I nearly quit but after taking a 12hr nap and copious amounts of food to break the exhaustion I pushed through. Since then I have been doing what feel like slow days of 8-15 miles but when your climbing 5-15k feet in elevation every day its kinda slow going. I took my worst fall this morning and will have a bruised butt for sure and hopefully the knee will knit up by morning. It was a little hyper extended and since the right knee never had full mobility from my high school injuries its a little tender. I felt/heard a little crunch in the fall but walking it off and soaking it in a river I fjorded helped. Advil and ice tonight, then walking again tomorrow.
They say "slow down and enjoy the whites". They are wrong. I have not seen the sunshine since I was in Maine. I have seen 20' in front of me the entire of this state for it has been foggy and raining the whole time. There was one lightening storm I was in but I huddled under a rock outcropping and waited for it and the hail to pass. All in all a very unexciting and damp. There is more to come so no point complaining about it. After all its just a free 12hr shower and considering how I smell its quite refreshing :)
To quote Gandalf the White "Look to my coming on the western hills on the coming of the 3nd dawn" (or something like that...actually it will probably be the 2nd dawn but whatever.) Off to the P.O. and then to the ice machine.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Back up and hiking
After a few days with good entertainment in good company I can see why the "average" hiker has 30+ zero days of slacking. Alas this tea-party must end at some point shortly and the weather says it will be soon. A few things that are not really related to me walking and a few that are:
I spoke with Noah-John (he's the guy I have hiked over 1/2 of the trail with) and he is out of commission right now on account of a pinched nerve in his neck and lack of mobility. In an failing attempt to not to have "T-rex syndrome" (big legs little arms) we have been doing push-ups. Long story short, well actually its a short story shorter, he is waiting to see a specialist and will then probably jump ahead on the trail in order to meet his finish deadline of 8/7/08. How does this play into Sir Bacons plans? It now appears I'll have to hike the White Mountains solo, or at least without someone there who generally watches me back. I mean as hikers we look out for each other but its a little bit easier when there is a pair of hikers at the same pace that can share resources and info if needed. The "Whites" are the last dangerous hurtle for me in this walk. It has been known to snow up in the mountains in every month of the year and there is not much cover since much is above the tree-line. The terrain also calls for a lot slower of walking because of the grueling ups and downs. All in all I'm a bot nervous but it will be fine. Hopefully Ill be able to call people on a daily or every other day basis to say "I'm still OK" since contact in the whites will be kind of spotty.
While in town I managed to visit the White's lovely home in Cumberland. I helped Andrew on a few rather fun projects over the last few years. Jenn and Ben the 3.5 month podling are all well. I think Ben was born just about the time I left on my walk. Andrew has already shipped out to South America (?) for his newest coastguard deployment and Jenn and Ben are about to start a shuffle that will land them in Californie. Jenn's first comment was "you look different." Et tu brute, for she is no longer bed ridden with pregnancy complications. Best of luck with the relocation you guys. I look forward to seeing you in September when Andrew gets his first break.
Morgan in particular, but all others I have crushed in scrabble will be glad to know that I was severely spanked at scrabble yesterday. E-"high fives" can be directed to Ellen (the one who writes the poetry posts) who put me in my place. Final score something like 200 (me) to 250 (her). A rematch TBA just in case the original game was a fluke or I was taking it easy on her because her birthday. Happy Birthday Ellen.
In catching up with Andrea Weed, who made me the most monstrous O'natural's sandwich last time I was in town (Operation Kitty-Troll 911), I owe her a belated happy birthday. Photos of that sandwich she crafted made other hikers jealous. I'm torn by finding I missed Andrea's birthday and loosing at scrabble in the same day. Rectifications will be forthcoming.
A cut0throat kickball game occurred Sunday afternoon in a Westbrook field. A close game ultimately lead to my teams defeat when "the moose" scored the winning run. I suspect the other team was using steroids or dandy lion magic to gain the advantage. Final score 19 to 21.
Sir Bacon's armor, cloak, pantaloons and boots have been located for the final summit (boy its heavy stuff even with the push-ups.) When going through storage I was very overwhlemed with everything I own and here is why:
Backpack, hammock, sleeping bag, 2 shirts, 2 shorts, mini-towel, mini first aid kit, 3 bags, spork, 50ft rope, toothbrush/paste, matches, FM tuner, cellphone, ID/debit/phone/medical card/cash, camera, water treatment chemical, earplugs, 2 soda bottles, 1/2 guidebook, journal.
Above is an entire list of what I have existed with for the last 30 days. So much stuff in storage. I'm sure ill like it when I get back and get re-acclimated.
To that, I would like to announce that even though I have been living by "wild-child hippie wood rules" for over 3 months I didn't pee on any trees while in civilization. I even used deodorant for the first time in 3 months! Never mind that the deodorant was being used to try to wax my moustache into a more impressive style, it was used non the less. Good times all around. I mean the only thing I didn't do was go fly a kite. No wait I did that too. :)
It was a good break. The feet & knees are feeling much better. I have had a chance to visit, catch up, and now its time to get back to it and finish this thing.
I spoke with Noah-John (he's the guy I have hiked over 1/2 of the trail with) and he is out of commission right now on account of a pinched nerve in his neck and lack of mobility. In an failing attempt to not to have "T-rex syndrome" (big legs little arms) we have been doing push-ups. Long story short, well actually its a short story shorter, he is waiting to see a specialist and will then probably jump ahead on the trail in order to meet his finish deadline of 8/7/08. How does this play into Sir Bacons plans? It now appears I'll have to hike the White Mountains solo, or at least without someone there who generally watches me back. I mean as hikers we look out for each other but its a little bit easier when there is a pair of hikers at the same pace that can share resources and info if needed. The "Whites" are the last dangerous hurtle for me in this walk. It has been known to snow up in the mountains in every month of the year and there is not much cover since much is above the tree-line. The terrain also calls for a lot slower of walking because of the grueling ups and downs. All in all I'm a bot nervous but it will be fine. Hopefully Ill be able to call people on a daily or every other day basis to say "I'm still OK" since contact in the whites will be kind of spotty.
While in town I managed to visit the White's lovely home in Cumberland. I helped Andrew on a few rather fun projects over the last few years. Jenn and Ben the 3.5 month podling are all well. I think Ben was born just about the time I left on my walk. Andrew has already shipped out to South America (?) for his newest coastguard deployment and Jenn and Ben are about to start a shuffle that will land them in Californie. Jenn's first comment was "you look different." Et tu brute, for she is no longer bed ridden with pregnancy complications. Best of luck with the relocation you guys. I look forward to seeing you in September when Andrew gets his first break.
Morgan in particular, but all others I have crushed in scrabble will be glad to know that I was severely spanked at scrabble yesterday. E-"high fives" can be directed to Ellen (the one who writes the poetry posts) who put me in my place. Final score something like 200 (me) to 250 (her). A rematch TBA just in case the original game was a fluke or I was taking it easy on her because her birthday. Happy Birthday Ellen.
In catching up with Andrea Weed, who made me the most monstrous O'natural's sandwich last time I was in town (Operation Kitty-Troll 911), I owe her a belated happy birthday. Photos of that sandwich she crafted made other hikers jealous. I'm torn by finding I missed Andrea's birthday and loosing at scrabble in the same day. Rectifications will be forthcoming.
A cut0throat kickball game occurred Sunday afternoon in a Westbrook field. A close game ultimately lead to my teams defeat when "the moose" scored the winning run. I suspect the other team was using steroids or dandy lion magic to gain the advantage. Final score 19 to 21.
Sir Bacon's armor, cloak, pantaloons and boots have been located for the final summit (boy its heavy stuff even with the push-ups.) When going through storage I was very overwhlemed with everything I own and here is why:
Backpack, hammock, sleeping bag, 2 shirts, 2 shorts, mini-towel, mini first aid kit, 3 bags, spork, 50ft rope, toothbrush/paste, matches, FM tuner, cellphone, ID/debit/phone/medical card/cash, camera, water treatment chemical, earplugs, 2 soda bottles, 1/2 guidebook, journal.
Above is an entire list of what I have existed with for the last 30 days. So much stuff in storage. I'm sure ill like it when I get back and get re-acclimated.
To that, I would like to announce that even though I have been living by "wild-child hippie wood rules" for over 3 months I didn't pee on any trees while in civilization. I even used deodorant for the first time in 3 months! Never mind that the deodorant was being used to try to wax my moustache into a more impressive style, it was used non the less. Good times all around. I mean the only thing I didn't do was go fly a kite. No wait I did that too. :)
It was a good break. The feet & knees are feeling much better. I have had a chance to visit, catch up, and now its time to get back to it and finish this thing.
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