100 Mile Wilderness
There is a certain sense of comfort that comes with following the white blazes. As long as there's a white blaze in front of me, I know I'm not lost. As long as there's a white blaze in front of me, I'm found.
It was time to walk on this morning, when I woke up and finished packing up, I went downstairs to drink coffee and wait for breakfast. I spent this time talking with Rocketdog and Warpaint about their interpretations of Middle East relations and what a long distance hiking trail through Russia would look like.
I went with "4" for breakfast. This means I had 4 blueberry pancakes, 4 pieces of bacon and sausage, 4 over-medium eggs and a scoop of home fries. I left the table at a perfect fullness level.
At 7:45AM I got a death defying ride back to the trail from Landfill. I was preparing to walk north at 7:55AM.
I first took a look at the sign which declares the start of the 100 Mile Wilderness. Apparently I should have ten days of food with me, while in reality I only have 7.
It felt odd to stand in this trail head parking lot once more. Last August I did the 100 Mile Wilderness for a shakedown section. Memories came pouring back to me as if it were yesterday.
It was painful to start walking due to the fact that my pack weight was right around 6.9 tons, 7 including water. I spent the morning talking with Cookie about random things.
My mind was so absorbed in finally being in the homestretch of what will no doubt go down as the greatest experience of my life when I return home.
Cookie and I ate lunch at Big Wilson Stream then proceeded to ford the stream in our crocs. Time Traveler went before us, so we had our cameras ready in case shell were to fall down. The cruel sense of humor of a thru-hiker.
I rolled into Long Pond Stream Lean-To around 4:15PM. After claiming a spot in the shelter I walked 1/10th south to go swimming with Cookie and Warpaint in Slugundy Gorge, which was absolutely amazing. I then spread myself out on a rock in the sun to dry out.
It's fitting I'm sharing a shelter with Cookie, Time Traveler, and Warpaint tonight. I first met them and shared a shelter with them in Fontana Dam, just before the Smokies. I never really thought then I would be in their vicinity almost 2,000 miles later.
I now have only 99.4 miles to Katahdin. Less than 100 miles to go. A 2,175 mile journey has been reduced to less than 100 miles. Think about that for a moment or two.
Good night, and good luck.
Kirby
Ga>ME 2008.
