The final quest...Maine

A quick email from Porter at 11:11 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2011

"Mile to Maine"     (Yes, that's his message....very deep Porter.)

Porter - just one more mile to get to Maine, their final state to conquer.

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Pace and Porter are moving along swiftly. With Katahdin, Maine in their mind's eye they hiked strongly through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Ever the tireless hikers, they thought they would also "bag some peaks" while they were in the area.

As Porter, Pace, and Deva made their way through New Hampshire, they caught up with Crop Duster. You remember him, they guy that lost his camera in the river while tubing with us. Now the three thru-hikers became four.

On July 11th, Porter sent a picture of the outside shower they got to use.

Just like the shower at the Norwich Inn....well not exactly Porter.

Deva, Pace & Crop Duster - South Kinsman, elevation 4328 ft. -   7/12/11

Sunset: Little Haystack Mountain - Stealth Camping Mile 1811, elevation 4,760 ft.

Around July 12th these seasoned hikers came across a hut in the Presidential Range. The cool thing about this is that two thru-hikers can work for a one night stay at the hut. Deva and Crop Duster were the first thru-hikers to ask about this and were granted the privilege to work and sleep in the hut.  (Actually the "dungeon" of the hut.) The bad news was, that Porter and Pace could not stay there. There are no tent sites or platforms around the huts so they had to push on and "stealth camp". Finding campsites on the AT in the Presidential Range is tricky.

STEALTH CAMP: to stay in an un-designated camping area off the trail that's hidden from view.

Porter and Pace pushed on another 6 or so miles to camp. The next morning they were up early ready to push through the rest of the range. Unfortunately,  Deva and Crop Duster were still behind at the hut and about a half-day behind our guys.

Mt. Lincoln, Franconia Ridge, 10:00 a.m. 7/13/11 - Mile 1811.8, elevation 5,089 ft.

Pace in the middle of Mt. Washington 7/14/11

If you are wondering why they hiked other peaks in the Whites it is because they are OVER ACHIEVERS.  What usually takes the average person 5-6 days to do, they completed in two days.

Well actually both Pace and Porter are Adirondack 46'rs. That means they have climbed the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondacks. Another goal they have is to "bag" (climb) the highest 115 mountains in the North East. This includes, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Just for fun, they grabbed several extra peaks to add to their 115. This meant leaving the AT and taking side trails to reach the other mountains.  What are a few extra miles to these guys?

So now they are firmly trekking through Maine.

On the map you will notice that Katahdin Mountain is circled in red and there is a marker. I added this to show you just how close they are to their goal. They aren't there yet but getting closer with every step.

Porter and Pace Appalachian Trail 7/24/11

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Happy Trails,

Ground Control, a/k/a Dreamer