Living Sacrifice

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Updates

Yes, I am in Maine. the last of 14 states. It definitely feels bitter sweet. I have decided that I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the trail. On the one hand, I am really sick of climbing up and down and up and down (and let me tell you, it is ALL up and down in NH, and so far, in ME, too.....and not just gradual ups and downs, but STRAIGHT up and STRAIGHT down), and at moments, even as far as I am, I would really like to quit. So, that's the hate part. But then there's the other part, the part where I get on top of a mountain and get to see beauty for miles, the part where I don't want to stop hiking at Katahdin, the part where I get to meet the most amazing people and see the most amazing things. The adventure. That's the part that I love. So, I am in battle with the trail right now, because I love it, but I hate it, and I don't really know what to do with those emotions except probably cry a lot over the next couple weeks, and then ball my eyes out at Katahdin. I don't know.

But anyway, I made it through the Whites, and let me tell you, it was definitely a challenge. No more 25 mile days for Do-Rag. If I did 15 miles, I was doing good. There was one day, the day I summited Mt. Washington, where I only went 7 miles from one hut to the next hut (yeah, they have SWEET huts in the Whites) because it was raining, cold, and I fell on the way. It's just really hard to go from busting out huge miles to barely being able to do 14 or 15. I find myself getting really frustrated. I'll be going along and then all of a sudden it's like "where does the trail go?" and then I look and realize it goes straight down. Or straight up. Yes, a lot of rock climbing over the past few days, and I know it doesn't end here. I have decided that, though different and challenging, I am not a rock climber, at least not with a big pack on. I think I can do one or the other. Climbing rocks might be cool if I didn't have 40 lbs strapped on my back. And backpacking is cool when I'm not climbing rock walls. So, I'm sure you can get a sense of my frustration over the past few days, especially since it rained through most of the Whites, and the weather is just now finally clearning up. Rock/water combo is not cool. That probably explains why today I had fall #41. And you should see my poor leggies! When I took a shower today, I noticed all the bruises I have everywhere, and lots of scrapes and scabs and things on my legs, especially my shins. Ah, but this is the price I pay for the beauty of the trail. :)

So, at least I am through the Whites. It was definitely a challenge for me. But the huts that I mentioned earlier were fantastic. The huts are all through the Whites and are staffed with people who fix dinner and breakfast for you. Because it is expensive to stay (approx. $80), they let thru-hikers work-for-stay. So, I stayed at 4 of the huts I believe, and worked at all of them, doing stuff from picking up trash to dishes. And the food was fantabulous. Not only do they do dinner and breakfast, but they also have all-you-can-eat baked goods for $1 during the day. Let me tell you......I ate SO much in the Whites. I decided I must have gained 10 lbs. It was definitely the baked goods that did me in. Wow. So delicious.

Yesterday, I did the infamous "Mahoosuc Notch," which is known on the trail as possibly the most difficult section of the entire trail. I think I can attest for that. It took me about 2 hours to go 1 mile. I wish someone was there to take my picture, because it was ridiculous. I was straddling rocks, crawling through rock tunnels, squeezing, jumping, over, under....it was sort of an "anything goes" rock scramble. It was fun at first, but I was defintely glad for it to be over. Oh, and not to mention the ICE that forms in between the rock crevases in the notch. :P

Oh, I got a wonderful package from TJ and his parents. Thank you so much!!!!! Congrats to TJ for making it into grad school in Cinci!!!! :)

OK, this is getting pretty long. I better go. As of now, my finish date is set at July 2nd to summit Katahdin, and then I'll be cruising around with my parents and little sister, so I'll be home early July sometime.

Alright, I'll post a few pics before I go. By the way, I'm in Andover, ME right now at quite possibly the coolest hostel yet. "The Cabin."

Love you all.

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