Maine
100-mile Wilderness

"The sum of man's problems come from his inability to be alone in a silent room."

August 2000.
My fourth day in the wilderness I did 20 miles to Antler Campsite and camped there with Greyhound, Salty, Woodchuck, and Crinkle. We watched an incredible sunset on the pond and enjoyed listening to the loons on the water.

The next day I had my first view of Katahdin! I can't explain how exciting it was to finally SEE it after walking for the past FIVE MONTHS trying to get there. It was a good moment.

Journal Entry 8.10.00
"52 miles to go :)!!"

After that I decided to take a side trip to the White House Landing camp for a pizza and ice-cream break. This required me walking a mile off the trail and then sounding their horn and waiting to be picked up in their boat. It was well worth the excursion and I had a great time talking to the owners for a couple of hours. I was very inspired after hearing their stories about running the camp and living in such a remote place year-round. I went back to the trail and tented at the Rainbow Stream Lean-to, for a total of 22 miles that day.

Journal Entry 8.11.00
"SO CLOSE - 30 miles to go :)!!"

The next day Salty, Greyhound and I hiked 15 miles to Abol Bridge which was the end of the 100-mile wilderness. I had heard so many stories about people running out of food during that section, but luckily I had no problems and plenty of food left when I hit the road. That night Salty, Greyhound, Crinkle, Woodchuck, Antelope and I camped near Abol Bridge and enjoyed our second-to-last night as thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. It was quite a party! Woodchuck lived up to his nickname "Upchuck" once again in his classic Woodchuck style. 15 miles to Katahdin!!!

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