#222 US2/Gorham NH to Gentian Pond Shelter - Day 140: ATMM 1894.7-1906.5
.....one thing I’ve learned over the course of all these miles on the trail - 1906.5 so far - is that the trail will reveal to the purpose in its own good time.
A quick note to reader: For the past month or so we’ve been on a trip back in time to the 2015 hike where I hiked the section I decided yesterday to skip on the 2024 hike.
If you want to refresh your memory as to what’s happening in in the 2024 storyline, I’ll give you a moment to jump back to post #216 Madison Spring Hut to NH16/ Pinkham Notch - Day 136: ATMM 1865.8 to ATMM 1873.6 (9-13-2024)
All caught up?
Cool, let’s roll!
9-14-2024
I slept very well inside my horse-stall-turned-hiker-stall in The Barn Hostel.
I walk over to the convenience store a block away where I grab a big cup of coffee, then back to the hostel where I wrap the rest of yesterday’s ham and cheese into a giant tortilla for breakfast. I give the rest of my block of cheese to Lo Mien - who can’t seem to get enough food in his belly, even on town days.
Lo Mein, Overkill, and I are shuttled to the Rattle River Trailhead where I began my southbound hike across The Wildcats with friends in 2015.
I send a photo of myself at the trailhead to Hurley before resuming my northbound hike towards Katahdin.
The trail follows US 2 for a minute, then turns onto the smaller North Road for about a mile, across the Androscoggin River and the power dam, then heads into the trees.
Lo Mein is in front of me when we hit the nineteen-hundred-mile mark of the Appalachian Trail. He is so tuned into the hike that he cruises right past the sticks lying just off trail in the shape of a 1900. I call him back, knowing he doesn’t want to miss it. He lets out an excited “Whoop!” and stomps his feet on the ground while throwing up his hands when he sees it.
We’re less than three hundred miles from the summit of Mt. Katahdin.
The morning has been pleasant, but the temps are rising.
It’s a tough two-thousand-foot climb up Mt. Hays, especially with a pack filled with five days’ worth of food. Restocking our packs in town makes for tough hiking.
On top, I catch up with Overkill. She’s sitting on the ground, below a tree, leaning against her pack, eating snacks, and complaining as much as I am about the rising heat. I’m a bit overheated myself and find a rock to sit on below my own shade tree.
There are two guys up here that remind me of the characters Bob and Doug McKenzie from the cult classic Strange Brew. Click here for Full Movie. Lots of day hikers and weekend hikers I’ve met on this trip have Canadian accents.
The climb up Cascade Mountain is shorter than Hays but much tougher. It’s hand over hand climbing the rest of the way up. The mid-day heat and humidity is taking its toll on me. I’m overheating again.
I meet two backpackers along the way and together we hike down one of the three remaining mountains of the day. I’ve long run out of water. Between two of those mountains, we find a very narrow stream to filter water from.
We fill our bottles and exchange trail snacks while we cool off below the trees, thankful for the rare puff of cool breeze.
I really enjoy talking with the two of them. Pepperjack and Shaggy are both twenty-six years of age, thru hiking the trail, very intelligent, and give me hope for the future of this crazy world.
On the last mountain of the day, the trail finally offers cooler air and dirt to walk on as opposed to rock. But…
The dirt trail is short lived. Back to hand over hand ups and slide-on-your-butt downs, coupled with roots and rocks everywhere.
Woowee! I finally make it to the shelter.
No one is here so I claim a spot in the corner on the lower level. Other hikers are sure to arrive closer to sunset.
I walk down to the lake to get some water and take a bandana bath, then put on my sleeping clothes and eat dinner.
Polar, Newt, 23, and Blast, walk into camp. The rest of their tramily will be coming in soon.
Big Blue walks into camp. I haven’t seen him since summiting Mt Moosilauke over a week ago. He finds out my phone has signal and asks if I know how Kentucky did today. Get it? Big Blue? He’s a big Kentucky fan, wears a KY hat, and is a Kentucky native like me.
Lo Mein has just come off a neighboring mountain in search for phone signal. It’s funny how with one company there’s plenty of signal and with another -nothing.
Chaos and Noble come in. The shelter is filling up.
There will be at least twelve of us in the shelter - I’ll soon regret not listening to my instinct to move out and set up my tent away from the shelter.
A married couple lay their bedding beside mine. The wife is carrying a small CPAP machine but does not use it, she’s right beside me, and creates a cacophony of all night snores that put most men to shame.
Negative note:
Honestly, I’m having trouble fully getting into the spirit of hiking this year. I’m not connecting with the trail as deeply I usually do. I’m having trouble finding the purpose of this hike.
This trip is different than those of the past. Each of those seemed to have served a purpose - mostly to balance out my head, when I used to walk in very dark places.
But thankfully, my head is in a good place now - mostly because my son is in a good place these days and partly because my wife and I are in the beginnings of a new phase in life.
So, what’s the purpose of this hike?
…to hike it now because my deteriorating health won’t allow it in the future?
…to hike it now before my new phase of life begins claiming all of my time?
…to hike it now so there won’t be a break in my blog posts?
…to simply finish a trail that I never intended to hike in the first place?
After all, I am Sprawl: An Accidental Section Hiker, with the subtitle Trials & Triumphs on and off The Appalachian Trail.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to be here. There are good times and good days on this hard journey, so many beautiful summits and scenery, I’ve made some lifelong friends, but my body is making it so much more difficult than it should be this time.
This being my last section, maybe purpose of this hike should simply to enjoy it.
One thing I’ve learned over the course of all the miles on this trail - 1906.5 so far - is that the trail will reveal the purpose in its own good time.
Positive Note:
I will walk into Maine tomorrow afternoon - the last of the fourteen Appalachian Trail states. What a milestone!!!
The daytime temps will be falling.
There’s fewer than three-hundred miles between me and the end of this trail.
Things are looking up for ol’ Sprawl.
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I know it has been a long haul for you over the years to reach your destination but you got r done. Quiet an accomplishment. You have loved every minute of your hikes even when many have been challenging. You have seen some amazing landscapes, wild animals, and have met many amazing people along the way. Memories to treasure and I'm so proud of you (even though I would always worry about you getting eaten by a bear!). Love mom ❤️