McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/12/2024 | AT Mile 99.6 | Day Total: 11.1 miles | Gain: 2318 ft

We all set 6:30 alarms this morning. Usually I’m wide awake by then but I surprisingly slept until that alarm went off this morning. We’ve officially been on trail for over a week now, no real food, no shower, no climate control, just us and the elements. Starting to look forward to town food and a stay at the ever so popular Shaws.

We climbed up Columbus Mountain this morning and didn’t realize it till the mountain passed it, Chairback Third Mountain, because it was treed in. While on Chairback Third Mountain we reserved rooms for Shaws.

We came across a lot of muddy trail today. The mud really slows us down as we’re trying to prevent our shoes from getting wet. Some mud can be very deceiving and your foot will plunge multiple inches into thick mud. Wet feet seem to promote foot problems.

We have been extremely lucky with the weather we’ve had for this trip. It’s been 8 days and only one day has it rained while we hiked. All the peaks have been clear, blue/very light cloud cover, and can see for miles.

There was a recent trail reroute that takes you to a plane crash site on the side of a mountain. It was a small plane, maybe could fit two people. The person/s that were in it survived it sounds like. The trail crew took away anything that contained pollutants that could contaminate water sources. It was one of the highlights of the day.

One of the last mountains in the 100MW is Barren Mountain and on top is what’s left of a decaying fire tower. You’re still able to climb up the ladder for a good view. A lab/bernese mix dog that thru hiked nobo last year came up the trail, he was very friendly. Here I also met another sobo thru hiker but I can’t recall his name.

We hit our first mile marker, mile 2100 of the Appalachian trail, that’s from Georgia of course…

Walking down from Barren was super cool. At one point there were ledges that offered really good views. You could see the fire tower on top of Barren in the distance.

These ledges are often occupied by Peregrine Falcons that are on the endangered list. These ledges are sometimes closed to viewers during breeding season.

Tonight we’re staying at Long Pond Stream Lean-to. Although shelters are nice I find I sleep better in the tent as do most others. The shelters can get crammed and it only takes 1 snorer to keep you up all night.

I squeezed onto a spot and managed to lay my sleeping pad on flat-ish ground although the edges of the tent are pretty close to rocks and are staked at odd angles.

We ate dinner on the other side of the stream. I stuffed myself with pearl couscous, mashed potatoes and Oreo pudding. Our food bags are significantly lighter. My bag is now 50/50 food and trash from the past 8 days.

Heading to bed early tonight. Looking forward to fresh food and bed in Monson.