McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/15/2024 | AT Mile 132.6 | Day Total: 17.9 miles | Gain: 2032 ft

Cole and Nathan left Shaws early this morning around 5:30. We said our goodbyes and I could hear them start the car and take off as I laid in bed. The windows were open all night to let cool air in. They are driving most of the way back home today.

I scheduled a few more journals for posting while I still had WiFi. It takes a bit to go over and spell check them and transfer each one onto the website. Maybe ~30min each. The longest part is going back and finding all the pictures again. “Day:000” got posted this morning at 7am. I also took a stroll to the post office and dropped a postcard to my family.

Luckily for me, Noah and Maddy were staying a bit later. We signed up for Shaws breakfast and it was spectacular. They served 2 runny eggs, hash brown potatoes, bacon, orange juice, coffee and all you can eat pancakes. Cole and Nathan definitely missed out…

I was mostly packed up last night aside for a few toiletries. I also collected all our sheets and took the trash out. I keep my phone on the charger whenever possible.

Noah and Maddy kindly shuttled me back to the trailhead and exchanged goodbyes. Shaws also had a van full of other hikers so I jumped into a photo and got a speech from Poet.

As I walked those first few steps my mind was racing. What just happened?!?!? I’m in the woods by myself? Without my friends for the first time?!?!? I can stop and go whenever I want and go at my own pace BUT it was sad and scary to walking alone after being with them all for the first 114.7 miles of the AT. Those first few miles felt off, there was no one to talk to.

The weather for the next few days calls for foggy mornings with a chance of rain in the afternoon. There’s also an air quality alert that lasts another day from forest fire smoke which obstructs the views a little but it’s not bad.

Special thanks to Noah, Maddy, Cole and Nathan for sending me off towards Georgia. You guys were a great crew to hang out with and I appreciate your advice (particularly Noah) and support. I hope this big trip didn’t scare you too much and at the very least I you made lifelong memories. Our next trip doesn’t have to be 120miles long.

Discovered a slug latched to my Garmin this morning

I’ve seen my fair share of Moose scat but today I saw my first foot print. It seems pretty fresh but I didn’t see any actual moose today.

Lots of water crossing scattered throughout. I crossed everyone barefoot with no problems. They were all slow moving but one did go nearly waist deep.

The hiking was super easy today. A few climbs in the morning but nothing serious. I followed streams for nearly the whole rest of the day. I ate lunch on the side of the trail on a large flatish bolder. I had Nutella wraps and a protein bar.

With all the streams I’ve been crossing I have been just carrying 1 bottle of water with me. If you didn’t know one of the easiest ways to lighten your pack is by planing your water carries. Why hike with 3L (6.6 lbs) of water when there’s water sources everywhere.

There were a few miles of rock paths on the gradual ascent to Bald Mtn Pond Lean-to. They help prevent erosion on the trail and keeps you shoes mud free. Thanks MATC!

The last stream crossing today I caught up to Kyle. He hiked 1/2 the PCT then is now going SOBO on the AT because of all the forest fires in California. We’ve talked briefly before but we ate dinner by the pond (featured image) and got to know each other. He graduated college with a ME degree and wanted to break up his career and move out west from Maryland.

I had a little surprise in my cook kit tonight. Nathan and Cole left a little good luck note in there. Thanks guys!

While we were eating I briefly watched an otter surface the water and brush up against a rock. I didn’t see him again unfortunately.

Talked briefly with another sobo hiker at the shelter. He’s moving pretty slow so I likely won’t see him again.

I’m planning out my next few days. I’m planning on getting over both Moxie Bald and Pleasant Pond Mtn tomorrow for a 13.1 mile day. The next day I’ll cross the Kennebec River via the ferry that takes hikers across (it’s too dangerous to ford) and hike to the base of Bigelow’s.

The Loons are making all kinds of crazy noises tonight.