Hey There ...

Okay, so some of you may not like snakes but I'm a fan. No, you won't find me harboring any in an aquarium, since I think they belong in the great outdoors, but I'm not opposed to snapping their photo if they'll let me. This guy was super photogenic. In fact he circled back and popped up for a head shot (see below).

Rollin on,
Yahtzee

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Hello...

You may have to double click on this photo to enlarge it but it's as close as I could get without scaring the snake away. He seemed just as interested in me as I was with him so maybe I could have gotten closer but I didn't think it prudent to stick my cell phone (and hand) that close to his head. He might not be poisonous but there's still no need to get bitten.

Next adventure I'll be sure to bring a camera that zooms in!

Rollin on,
Yahtzee



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Nature's Roller Skates...

Recently it occurred to me that the caveman didn't have to think very hard when it came to "inventing" the wheel. Sure they had to figure out the whole tool fabrication thing (hammer and chisel) but the concept must have been pretty easy. All they really had to do was take a walk on a fall day using a pathway littered with acorns. These little babies are like greased ball bearings! Throw in a hill of any sort and they'll have you doing the Downhill Hiker Shuffle in no time. By the way that's an advanced dance move I only suggest for use during wedding receptions without any cameras!

The cool thing about the abundance of acorns are the squirrels and chipmunks. These nuts make them crazy! Hummm... wonder if that's where the secondary meaning of "nuts" originates? Who knows ... but what I do know is that they chatter and scamper from tree to tree like I've never seen before. They're busy little critters getting ready for winter ... which, thank goodness, never break into alto harmony like Alvin, Simon and Theodore!

Happy Trails,
Yahtzee



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And the award goes to...

And the award for WORST PRIVY EVER goes to Connecticut's Caesar Campsite. This little gem was simply out in the open, within view of all tent sites. I've seen this style elsewhere on the trail but those privies were shielded by hillsides, draped tarps or large trees.

Luckily I didn't need to "go" but it wouldn't have mattered anyway since I was the only occupant of the campsite.

Yeesh ... I'm all for roughing but is a little modesty too much to ask for? I think not ...

Rollin on,
Yahtzee

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#8

Arriving at the falls, which give the village it's name I encountered...

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Yesterday ... A timeline (1)

So... How do I describe yesterday (9/25/10)? Well, I'll do my best with pictures and text but yesterday was one of those "had to be there" days. Hopefully I can get these posts to upload properly from my phone, service is -as usual- a little spotty but I'll do my best so you can read along while scrolling down.

It started out pretty darn good. I got up early and was on the trail quickly. After leaving Brassie Brook Lean-to (which actually had a running brook - unlike "Glen Brook" the night before) I climbed Lion's Head and got a great view ... (pictured above).



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#2

After a short 4.6 mile hike I came upon U.S. 41. From that point the town of Salisbury, CT was only a half mile away. The AT Thru Hiker's Companion informed me that hitchhiking was illegal so I kept my hands at my sides and road walked the short distance into town.

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#3

Once in town I headed to the post office to retrieve some supplies from my bounce box.

Then it was onto the town grocery store where I made a b-line for the deli counter. Yummy ... Turkey and cheese. I felt like I'd won the lottery!

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#4

After a leisurely lunch I headed back to the trail.

The climb out of Salisbury was nothing to sneeze at but I enjoyed myself as I walked through the fall colors.

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#5

I came upon a random rock ... passed a garden snake ... found a flock of wild turkeys and listened to Canadian Geese call as they flew overhead...

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#6

... I also came to a beautiful mountain top field with a stunning view, named "Billy's View."

This is the point in the day when things started to go a bit sideways.

The shelter I had intended to stay at was half a mile off the trail. Most hikers scoff at those sites and move on. I ... well, I tend to enjoy them so following the blue blazes and headed towards my stopping point for the evening.

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#7

Arriving at the shelter I got the creeps. I can't point to anything specific but I'm a trust your gut kinda gal so I decided to follow the blue blazes back a half a mile to the trail. Now having walked two extra miles for the day (first into town and now a round trip to a shelter I decided not to stay at) I was off to Falls Village, where a breakfast place offers free tent spots to hikers...

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#9

... A detour sign. To get to Falls Village all I needed to do was cross that bridge behind the sign (you can see part of it in the bottom right corner) but the text below the detour sign stated that the bridge was closed to pedestrian traffic and to follow the detour signs.

So close but yet so far! If I could just walk across the bridge then I might have been able to eat supper in town. Two "real" meals in one day on the trail ... unheard of ... and so it remains, since I found myself road walking for miles.

After the first mile, I was annoyed ... by the second and third I was just plain mad. My knee was hurting and the sun was beginning to set, yet I was walking on a road that had no shoulder and endless blind turns. How "unsafe" could the bridge be since I almost got run down by a passing, not to mention speeding, Porsche? By the fourth mile I was angry and constructing a letter in my head, "Dear Connecticut Chapter of the AMC..."

By the time I reached the end of the "detour" (which left me nowhere near Falls Village) it was dusk and the sun was setting fast. Annoyed that I didn't simply disobey the sign and cross the bridge (it was open to cars, just not foot traffic) I pulled out my map in an attempt to locate a place to camp for the night. After a nineteen mile day, finally, luck was on my side. I found Belter's Campsite on the map which was only six-tenths of a mile up the hill from me. It was a steep hill too but I wasn't going to complain ... I just wanted to set up my tent and collapse for the night. Which, thankfully upon arrival, is what I did. No dinner, bear bag hung, tent up by headlamp and tucked into my sleeping bag ... only to have the wind kick up and drop a tree branch on my tent (no kidding!). It was a small branch, so no damage. I checked for more but all seemed secure, and it was. Oh well, I survived ... and today was a MUCH better day. Thank goodness for that!

Till next time ... rollin on,
Yahtzee



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Connecticut...

Shortly after leaving the Glen Brook Lean-to (well, 6.8 miles to be exact) I left Massachusetts and entered Connecticut.

Rollin on,
Yahtzee

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Nature's beauty...

I thought this was pretty. The acorns, leaves, dirt, rocks and light. It reminded me that one need not always scan the horizon for beauty ... Sometimes it's right there at out feet.

Rollin on,
Yahtzee

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Albino caterpillar...

I don't recall ever seeing an all white caterpillar before. This little guy was doing his best to hurry across the trail. Smart, since it stood out like a sore thumb ... maybe why you don't see many of these. I'm sure a bird, or other hungry critter, could spot this from a mile away.

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Guilder Pond...

At 2,042 feet Guilder Pond is the highest body of water in Massachusetts. Since the shelter I stayed at last night was dry it's also my water source for the day. I'll spare you the close up shot ... but thank goodness for filters since this water give a new meaning to pond scum.

Rolling on,
Yahtzee

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Things I saw today ... Sept. 23, 2010

The fall colors are beautiful, amazing to walk through...


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What I'm doing right now...

All tucked in (before 7pm - sad but true) and about to read a bit before sleep. I'm thrilled to be back in my tent after spending the past weekend, Monday and Tuesday resting my knee in hotel rooms (and on the bus). It's funny, when I first started this trail I had trouble sleeping in my tent ... now I can't imagine being more at home anywhere else. Granted, it's a beautiful evening outside. I'm sure I'd be singing a different tune if it were snowing or storming outside. Luckily, it's not ... so it's onto reading.

Happy Trails,
Yahtzee


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Things I saw today ... Sept.23, 2010

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Back on the trail...

I'm back on the trail and my knee, thus far, is holding ... hurray! Western Massachusetts is absolutely beautiful. The trail is calm and relatively easy, not to mention well marked. I'd almost forgotten what a blaze looked like. The forest is a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees so there's a wonderful mix of colors and smells.

Today my "big challenge" will be a 1,000 foot elevation gain spread over a two mile span - using trail cut with switchbacks. I know because I'm halfway up it now and stopped for lunch. Ahhhh... switchbacks. How I adore thee! :-)

Other things that seemed to only live in my distant memory, but are now back in play, are mosquitoes and cobwebs - boo to both! So far today I haven't passed another soul on the trail so needless to say I've been web-walking for miles. That said it's a minor inconvenience to endure in order to have the whole trail to myself. I know there are plenty of other southbounders out there so I'm bound to run into someone soon. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the solitude, rolling trail and beautiful weather.

Rolling On,
Yahtzee




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A brighter day....

I'm once again writing a blog post from the confines of a bus. But the good news is that this one is headed back to the trail which makes today a much better day than yesterday.

Maybe it was the amazingly sound sleep I got last night in an absurdly overpriced Boston area Holiday Inn Express or maybe it's simply because I'm headed back to the trail that I love (and, somedays, love to hate) but I'm in a great mood. The sun is out, the sky is blue and my journey, albeit changed, is not over. I pray that my knee will respond to the new Mueller knee brace I purchased and more gentle terrain that lies ahead. I've already explained to my knee (yes, we had a conversation) that we'll return to finish the section we missed just as soon as it's feeling better. Just to make it feel better I also explained that sometimes detours reveal hidden beauty.

With each passing mile, and toll booth, (sheesh Boston!) I feel more and more excited. My journey is not over ... it's simply changed. I look forward to sharing the rest of it with you. Thank you to everyone who posted positive comments and sent encouraging emails yesterday, I'm truly thankful and appreciative.

As I was "enjoying" the adventure of getting back to the bus station this morning I thought about my experiences to this point. I realized that someone motivated (or crazy) enough to attempt to backpack over 2,179 miles in a single trip - who won't give up even when injured - and while having to amend, not abort, the trip is disappointing - that failure is not an option. Failure would have been to quit before I started, to have embraced one of the million reasons this journey was a reckless, stupid or a bad idea. Failure would be to marginalize my accomplishments to this point, choosing instead to focus on a negative and ignoring the positives. Failure is quitting because it's hard ... not because of physical limitations. I'm confident that I have not, can not and will not fail. Belief in one's self, one's own direction and one's purpose is a powerful thing. The journey continues...

Bye, Bye Boston.

Rollin on, (Yup, today from the comforts of a Peter Pan bus)
Yahtzee



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Injury Report...

Anyone who has hiked any significant portion of the Appalachian Trail will tell you it's not a trail for the faint of heart. This trail will provide hikers much in the way of experiences, friendships and lifelong memories but there's a balance to be struck ... a price to be paid. Of course there's the literal price, this isn't an inexpensive undertaking, but moreover there's the physical toll. Broken bones, scrapes, lacerations, bruises, muscle sprains, joint issues, ligament tears, malnutrition, heat exhaustion, bug bites, poison ivy and hypothermia ... you'll find it all out here.

I've done my best to be safe and to avoid hurting myself but things happen. I've slipped, fallen, bounced and been slammed (more on that one later) but I've always fought through it and soldiered on. I will continue to do so ... but, unfortunately, there will have to be some changes to the original plan. I'd hoped that I wouldn't be in this position - but I am - so I'm going to try to make the best of it. When I started this trail I intended to finish every mile but promised myself that I would "hike my own hike" so that's what I will continue to do.

Those of you who've been following my blog for a while may recall I visited an urgent care (for my left knee) back in Roanoke, VA. That knee has been, and remains, a problem. Maine exploited it and New Hampshire has, figuratively, crushed it. I've been hiking in pain for weeks and I can't do it any longer ... at least not in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Those mountains are steep and dangerous, requiring two healthy legs to traverse safely. I've made the extremely difficult decision to drop down, out of the White's, in an attempt to finish my hike in the less difficult terrain, found south of here. As I write this I'm on a Concord Trailways bus, heading to Boston. From there I will take a Peter Pan Bus (seriously) to Western Mass where I'll regain the trail. Just a quick note, fun fact actually, on the Peter Pan Bus Line. They proudly note on their website that they were selected as the official transport vehicles for the recent Chelsea Clinton wedding. Really? Giant GREEN Peter Pan busses for that high roller event? Too funny!

Anyway, the picture, above, is of a bruise I sustained the day I summited Mt. Washington. It was early in the day and I was on the side of Mt. Adams when I stepped on a rock that moved. When I attempted to brace myself, with my left leg, my knee gave out and I took a digger straight onto the rock pile at my feet.

There have been many other falls, slips, trips and slides but, until now, I was confident that I could hike through it without putting myself in danger or incurring any permanent damage. Unfortunately, I've lost that confidence and while my heart tells me to go on, to just power through, my head tells me to take care of myself and return to the White's when my knee is 100%. So that's what I'm going to do.

My hike is far from over. I plan to continue on to Duncannon, PA - where Big Ooh, Koopa and I flip-flopped from - but this thru hike has become a section hike, as I will have to return in the future to finish the section I'm leaving behind. I'm more than disappointed ... I feel like I've failed and I've yet to reconcile those feelings but, at the same time, I know I've made the right decision for my health and safety.

I hope those of you who have been following my blog won't be too disappointed with this decision. I appreciate all of your encouragement and support and am saddened that you won't be able to finish this journey with me this year. I guess I'll have to either keep the blog going (highlighting local & weekend hikes) or blow the dust off of it when I'm able to take vacation (from a career yet to be determined) to go back and finish. I'll let ya know... but the Journey will continue.

Anyway, as for the "I've been slammed," comment that I made above. That was an injury I sustained a couple of months ago to my right, middle finger. I was well off the trail, safely in the driveway of a bed and breakfast. The B&B's owner, friendly to hikers, picked up Big Ooh, Koopa and I from the trailhead. We had pulled into the driveway and I was attempting to unfold myself from the backseat of her subcompact Honda (or was it a Toyota?) when it happened. Surrounded by resupply boxes and Wal-Mart bags (she'd been so kind to also take us to the post office and store) I reached up and put my right hand onto the doorframe. Big Ooh, already out of the car and Koopa, scrunched in next to me heard me make a small "UGH" sound. Thinking I'd tweaked my knee Big Ooh ignored it at first but took a second look when I completely froze and failed to exit the vehicle. I was about to speak when Big Ooh proclaimed, "OH MY GAWD!" Which was all the B&B owner apparently needed to look back and realize that she'd just slammed my hand in the door. I'm not sure if it was broken or not but it hurt like the dickens for quite a while.

Rollin On (literally on the bus),
Yahtzee



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Change of plans...

Not a great day. I'm on a bus watching the trees wiz by at 55 miles per hour. How I'd rather be hiking through those mountains...

I'll be back. That's a promise...



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Happy Trails...

One of the hardest parts of my decision to head south was to leave my hiking companions, and friends, Big Ooh and Koopa. I wish them happy and safe trails as they finish their thru hike and thank them both for playing such a big role in making my hike fun, exciting and memorable. They were truly a prayer answered, arriving when I needed some friends on the trail. I'd hoped that we would cross the finish line together but it's not to be.

I truly admire and celebrate their dedication to the purity of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. I've witnessed them (when tired, cold and sick) retrace their steps, when a side trail was used because of poor marking or part of the AT was accidentally missed, to ensure that they passed every blaze and walked every single step of the trail. Their efforts are more than admirable they're awesome. I'm honored to have hiked with them and proud to call the my friends.

Keep on Rollin Big Ooh & Koopa!


Yahtzee




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Summit Sign...

This is me on the Summit of Mt. Washington.  In the background you can see some of the tanks and equipment from the NOAA Weather Station which is staffed, year round, on the top of the mountain. 

BTW - No, I'm not losing that much weight.  I've just got my hip belt cinched down tight to keep my pack in place.  It's no good when your pack shifts when you're climbing.  I'll need to remember to loosen that up for photos in the future...

Rolling On,
Yahtzee

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WIND! Wowza...

To the best of my knowledge this record held until just a couple of years ago.  This is now the second fastest wind speed recorded on earth. 




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Mt. Washington...

This is a photo of me standing on the stair platform leading down to the Mt. Washington parking area.  In the Northeast you can, with regularity, see bumper stickers stating that, "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington!"  Needless to say I bought the sticker that reads, "I climbed Mt. Washington." 

As you can see we made it to the summit before the weather moved in.  Here it's just starting to cloud up.  Since the AMC also closed the hut on the other side of Mt. Washington (for the rest of the season - even though there are still a ton of AT thru hikers coming through) we were forced to invest in their shuttle service to get us safely off the mountain before the storm moved in.  For the lovely fee of only $29 per person they loaded us into a van and drove us back down to Pinkham Notch.  Of course it's another $29 to get back up ... Thanks AMC. 

Rollin On,
Yahtzee

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In Memoriam...

Found in the Summit House, in memoriam, the AMC posts an updated list of all who have perished in the Presidential's. The latest fatal fall happened just about a month ago.  The young man was 24 years old and fell approximately 100 feet to his death.

Since they began keeping records over 180 people have perished here.  Some have yet to be recovered. The list of names and a short explaination of how they died is posted below this sign.


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Looking Back...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 CONTINUED

Looking back from Edmond's Col at a view of Mt. Madison (peak on the right) and Mt. Adams (peak on the left).  There's nothing in this photo to give these mountains scale ... but they're BIG.


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Mt. Washington...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 CONTINUED

This is a view of Mt. Washington from Edmond's Col. Note the snow and ice on the top of the mountain from the previous day's storm.  As forecast the skies were bright blue, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day for hiking.

Rolling on,
Yahtzee

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Carin Sitting...

The weather cleared on Thursday September 16th and we headed towards Mt. Washingto Here, Big Ooh sits on a carin ... Enjoying our first real views of the Presidentials.

Note that we're eye level with the clouds. 




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No Joke ...

Having taken my Wilderness Emergency Medical Training in the White Mountains I was well aware of the weather systems that make this area so dangerous. 

As we climbed Mt. Madison the weather turned extreem.  Unfortunately due to winds in excess of 60 miles per hour, freezing rain, snow and temps in the 30s I chose not to stop to take pictures.

Big Ooh took a few shots and one brief video (which really demonstrates the wind's speed) but I don't have the ability to upload via wifi from his camera.  What I can tell you is that it was very tough going due to the low visability, cold weather and high winds.  We all made it safely over the summit and down the other side but none of us want to re-experience that day again. 

Since the AMC closed the hut on the other side of Mt. Madison we were forced to climb Mt. Adams and decend down to a Randolf Mountain Club Hut (God Bless the RMC!) which provided us shelter from the weather.

It was quite an experience and one we placed ourselves in by choice.  We knew the weather was slated to turn but with Mt. Washington scheduled for the next day we decided to do Madison in the weather since Washington is even higher.  Plus, September 16th was forecast for a mild morning with clear skies.  We wanted to hit Washington in that window and we did.

Rolling on,
Yahtzee

Weather rolling in...

SEPTEMBER 15TH CONTINUED ...

As we climbed higher the clouds began to appear on the horizon.  Soon we were surrounded and our lovely views were again obstructed by a white sea of mist and fog.

Rolling on...


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Finally a day without rain - sort of...

On September 15th Big Ooh, Koopa and I headed out from Pinkhan Notch and up the AT towards Mt. Madison.  Well... I say "AT" but the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) doesn't like the ATC so they've made a marked decision to leave the words "AT" off of as many signs as possible.  To reach Mt. Madison we had to follow several different trails - which comprise the AT - but were named differently.  At one point we tried to determine if a hand printed sign, nailed to a post was the official trail or not. Plus, the lovely two inch by six inch white blaze - that marks the trail so well - is largely absent within the AMC's jurrisdiction.  Nice AMC, thanks! 

On the upside the day started out beautifully in the valley and made for nice hiking.  The weather was about to change but we were aware of its approach and were prepared ... or so we thought.

Rolling on,
Yahtzee






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The Presidentials (September 13, 2010)...

New Hampshire is certainly beautiful ... I know, luckily I've been here before.

So far all I've been able to see are white clouds as they completely envelop the mountains and block the views. Of course with clouds comes rain ... so I've been seeing (and trudging through) lots of mud too.

This photo isn't an isolated section of trail ... it IS the trail with the exception of the completely open rock faces (which don't mix well with muddy boots - slick!).

So far I've summited several mountains, including Mt. Moriah, North, Middle and South Carter Mountain, Carter Dome and Wildcat Mountain.

Next up ... The Big Momma's - Mt. Madison and Mt. Washington.

Rollin On,
Yahtzee
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The Hardest Mile of the Trail...

The Mahoosuc Notch is known as the most difficult mile of the trail. Since I'd already experienced some pretty tough sections I couldn't imagine what we'd face once we descended the Mahoosuc Arm into the Notch. This one mile section takes, on average, three hours to traverse ... and that's exactly the length of time it took us. Yeesh.... This was hard! Hope you enjoy the photos.

Rollin On,
Yahtzee

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Speck Pond...

This is the highest body of water in Maine. Koopa, Big Ooh and I spent the night at the Speck Pond Tentsites, which are run by the AMC, and charge a fee to stay there. Hummmm... I'll refrain from comment on that subject (for now).

Rollin On,
Yahtzee

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Mahoosuc Notch ...

Managing a smile during a brief break in the Mahoosuc Notch ...

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Mahoosuc Notch ...

Flattering? Ughhh....no, but necessary. Here I am climbing through the Mahoosuc Notch.


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Mahoosuc Notch ...

Pack off ... Big Ooh stoops to fit through the hole that is the "trail."


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Mahoosuc Notch ...

Koopa making her way...


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Mahoosuc Notch ...

Big Ooh and Koopa make their way through the Mahoosuc Notch ...


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Andover, Maine...

Shortly after leaving Andover, Maine (over a week ago) my Verizon HTC Imagio died ... AGAIN! I'm now on my fourth Imagio. Ugggghhhh....

Luckily, the camera feature worked (most of the time) and I was able to record several photos to the expanded 16mb chip (which is now plugged into my "new" phone).

This photo of Andover makes the town look bigger than it really is. To be honest the town is a block long and consists of a small general store, breakfast restaurant, a beautiful park and this town hall building.

Rollin on,
Yahtzee

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Dinner Treat...

Most dinners are freeze dried (since they're light weight) but this was a special treat I served up for myself recently. Mmmmmm.... Ravioli. Cooking it directly in the can saved me from having to wash my cook pot.

Sometimes it's the small things that can make a tough day bearable.

Rollin On,
Yahtzee


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The Beauty of Maine...

While Maine represents a very difficult section of the AT it also contains some of the most visually stunning sights. This small, trailside, waterfall is another example of the treasures I pass daily.

Rollin On,
Yahtzee

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