Pondering

August 25, 2009 at 1:53 pm Allen 4 comments

So, I am home again. I walked out from Carter Notch Hut along the
easiest route, which was down the 19 Mile Brook Trail. Boy, what a joy
that was! Apparently, there are 'normal' hiking trails in the Whites.
Instead of scrambling up and down rock ledges and giant boulders, the
trail simply followed along beside the brook for 4 miles until it
reached the trailhead at Rt 16. There were a couple of rocky places,
and I did feel my knee when stepping down from rock to rock, but all
in all it was a comfortable walk.

It is getting close to the end of August now. There is probably 7
weeks left in the thru-hiking season; that is, there are about 7 weeks
left before snow and ice descend on Katahdin and the Baxter Park
rangers will no longer allow hikers to make the climb. I am trying to
figure out if it is worth making one more attempt to finish this hike.
I could take as much as another two weeks off to rest up my knees, and
assuming my knees are back in hiking shape should still have enough
time to finish the hike well before October 15.

Pushing my hike into the end of the season does present some
challenges. It gets cold in northern Maine in October, so I will have
to carry my heavier sleeping bag, and warmer clothes. And the days get
shorter, whivh means less hours and thus fewer miles in a given day.
But cold weather also means fewer bugs, and fall in New England is
glorious; at least, it is if it doesn't bring day after day of cold
rain.

It also means breaking my promise to Jodi to be finished hiking by the
middle of September. She says she is willing to make that sacrifice
for me. She's a pretty great wife, isn't she?! And I have promised to
be somewhere with my daughter Anju on September 21, so that would
necessitate another break from the trail.

Nothing has been decided yet, but these are the things I am thinking
about today. These last weeks sure have been frustrating. This is not
at all how I envisioned my hike ending. All this starting and
stalling! I keep thinking back to Virginia, when I could get up in the
morning, walk for 8 hours, and chalk up another 20 miles. It was all
so easy then!

—
~~~~~
Allen F. Freeman
allen@allenf.com
www.allenf.com
allenf.blogspot.com

AT Thru-Hike none

#1 | Written by Ken Williamson about 15 years ago.

Hi Allen,

I too am bummed and it's not even my hike. Many decisions to make. Having said it's not my hike, have you given consideration to starting back up on Kahtadin and heading south to finish and beat the weather? Although it has been years since I passed through the area I just remember rocks and roots not the killer mountains you have traversed. Maybe you can get through the through the 100-mile wilderness with just food and light weather gear. Anyway, I am in awe of what you have accomplished over these last months. I do know that whatever decision you make it will be the right one. Good luck in whatever way the current adventure of Allen & Jodi takes you.

Ken
#2 | Written by Anonymous about 15 years ago.

You can't see the forest for the trees…

Life will surely give you obstacles along the way. We aggressively try to avoid them. As we do, we get further off our original path. The ones we can not avoid, we obsess about it well after the resolution. We become focused on getting back to where we should be and miss wear we are at the moment.

Do you remember why you decided to walk the AT? Is that still true at this obstacle? Have you been able to reflect on the amazing experience you have had over the past months or are you focused on the path you haven’t walked? Is there more than your knees that needshealing? Can you see this as a growing experience that is more valuable than the last mile of the AT?

Pausing long enough might allow you to see a clear path ahead of you. The trail will be there waiting. Walking it with a healthy mind and body will surely make you appreciate it more than you ever thought you could.

Good Luck.
#3 | Written by Lisa about 15 years ago.

Hi Allen,
I'm Doxie, I hiked the trail last year with my fiance. There was a link to your post on my Facebook from one of my trail friends.
I remember around Carter Notch was my lowest point during the trail. It had rained everyday since Greylock, the huge boulders were wet and slippery, it was foggy above treeline and we kept getting lost, I was wet and cold a lot, my knees hurt… It was just a rough time in the Whites altogether. But once we got past the AMC area the trail was better marked and better maintained, and right after Mahoosuc the sun came out, and our hike ended on a wonderful note. I guess what I'm saying is, don't let the Whites get you down. Maine is one of the most beautiful places in the world and that in itself makes it worth it. I know if I had have stopped I would never have gone back to finish because I live in GA…it's just too far to get back out there, so I felt trapped a little in the Whites because home was so far away. But I'm so glad we stuck with it. Give it time and weigh your options, heal up. But I promise you won't regret it and you'll enjoy the hike a lot more in Maine if you decide to get back out there. And if you don't, it will always be there waiting for you.
Best of Luck to you!
Doxie '08
#4 | Written by Peter about 15 years ago.

Whatever decision you make is yours and yours alone. Remember to hike your own hike!! You have had a great walk this year. Hang in there whatever you decide to do.

Chenango

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