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.
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3 comments:
Good to hear that you're not dead. I sent an email around to see if you had called anyone, but I figured the cellphone reception would not be great there. Sorry for the yucky weather; it has hit Maine now just in time for this technology workshop I am attending in Castine at MMA. Thundered all last night, lots of fog and stuff today. I've seen Castine before anyway, so no big deal. Hope you heal well and the sun shines on you soon. You're almost back in Vacationland!
No cell reception
Crouching, crunching, crackly night
Unperturbed, he walks.
P.S. I'm glad you're safe, Aaron! Enjoy the haiku, thanks for the inspiration :)
Keep on hiking man
Don't let the storms slow you down
Katadin beckons
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