 |
| "The End is in Sight" - Katahdin Mountain in the distance. July 28, 2011 |
Pace and Porter are camping in the 100-mile wilderness and staying the night at Nahmakanta Lake south end campsite. Mile 2138.3 - elevation is only 650 feet above sea level. You can see what a beautiful area it is by checking out the link below. Porter used SPOT and sent this message via satellite.
Latitude:45.74411
Longitude:-69.1376
GPS location Date/Time:07/28/2011 19:56:32 EDT
Message:This is Porter and Pace. Everything is going fine. Until the next check-in...We'll keep on hiking!
Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/5W4CM/45.74411N/69.1376W
If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=45.74411,-69.1376&ll=45.74411,-69.1376&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
PORTER
 |
| View from Moxie Bald Mountain Mile 2044.6 - elevation 2629 ft. July 25, 2011 |
 |
| July 27, 2011 Porter's tent is try inside! 6:30 a.m. |
 |
| Pace starts out with his rain jacket on this rainy July 27 morning - 7:30 a.m. |
So with Katahdin finally within view, it won't be long before this amazing journey ends. There have been ups and downs, both literally and emotionally as they made their trek. Porter has gone through a record number of shoes...8 pairs last count. Three just didn't work and caused blisters and the others just wore out. Pace did a bit better and I think he is on third or fourth pair. I'll have to get the official count from him when he gets done.
Both have lost a significant amount of weight and with pants falling off they had to buy new clothes to fit. Broken hiking poles, backpacks, tents, and socks all have been replaced along the hike. It seems that Porter is much rougher on his gear than Pace. For those who know these two, that probably doesn't come as a surprise.
The guys are planning on getting into base camp on Friday, July 29 and then on Saturday, July 30 in the morning they will finish the final leg of their journey...the hike to the top of Katahdin Mountain.
I can't imagine how they will feel. Excited to start their final climb, elated to summit, sad to have it end. I'm sure all of that and more. I feel all of those things for both of our fearless hikers. I also am a little worried because...Porter noticed I put Engergizer Bunny ears on their picture in a blog entry.
He said, "So you like to play games????" I'm so going to get it! He threatened to put a picture of me on the blog looking like a yellow duck. Well, it could be worse I suppose. (I think I'm safe...he doesn't have the password to this blog! Smart thinking don't you agree!?)
Happy Trails!
Ground Control, a/k/a Dreamer
Porter and Pace Appalachian Trail 7/28/11
Share your Adventures with SpotAdventures
The ending is much harder than the beginning but it's a good feeling. "FINALLY!" think that, and don't worry Dreamer. I'm sure they're exhausted but give them the opportunity to do it all over again, you know they would say YES.
ReplyDeleteLooking foward to read the grand finale!!
You're right. "FINALLY" is it. I'm not worried about the hike ending, they already have so many plans up their sleeves it isn't funny. I may have to tether Porter to a tree to keep him still for a while though.
ReplyDeleteDreamer
Dreamer, did they make it safely home to Katahdin?
ReplyDeleteOh Yeah! See next post!
ReplyDelete