Day 97/July 7

Miles hiked: 15.30 in 7:12

Start: Mile 2089.9, junction of trail to Otter Pond, ME

Finish: Route 15, Monson, ME

Elevation gain: 3,455'

A day of slack packing while I waited for my new shoes to arrive. Poet, one of the owners of Shaw's Hostel, shuttled me to a trail that would join with the AT after a 0.8-mile climb. Then I turned left and headed south to Monson.

It was raining lightly when I started, and after some climbing, it was obvious that the hills were cloud covered.

The sun never made an appearance, but it wasn't too cold despite the rain.

Route from my Suunto.

And anothet pair of adidas Terrex X-Kings is being retired after 500 miles; these were worked over well by the rocks of the White Mountains and southern Maine. Still, the shoes remained intact, proving how tough they are.

Day 96/July 6

Miles hiked: Zero

Another day in Monson waiting for FedEx to deliver my new adidas Terrex X-Kings. Now they say delivery will be tomorrow by 4:30 p.m.

I can't wait that long, so I will get a shuttle into the 100-mile wilderness and hike back to Route 15 in Monson, where hopefully my shoes will be waiting for me.

In the meantime, I am fully carbo-, protein-, fat-, and calcium-loaded. ☺

I should try dying my hair that color. Oh, wait.

Day 95/July 5

Miles hiked: Zero

A day of rest while I wait for a new pair of adidas Terrex X-Kings to arrive.

Ever since summitting Mt. Washington, where I injured my right leg when a strong gust almost knocked me down, I have had some serious sciatica pain, which either limits my speed, or the amount of miles that I can hike in a day.

A day ago, it was so bad that I contemplated having to abandon the hike, or postone it for quite a while. But with just over 100 miles to Katahdin, it's hard to accept stopping at this point, so I am opting to do a lot of periformis stretching in the hope that It will help. I actually found a new stretch and while painful, seems to be helping.

In the mean time, I am in beautiful, scenic Monson. At least I can eat all I want; and there is an ice cream shop/bakery nearby. There is also a decent restaurant that will be open tonight, unlike on the 4th of July, when they closed.

Or like this place:

On the other hand, I have nothing but good words for the breakfast at Shaw's Hiker Hostel this morning. Scrambled eggs, homefries and blueberry pancakes. And Poet even serves up a Pancake Cairn:

Day 94/July 4

Miles hiked: 8.30 in 3:50

Start: Stealth tentsite, mile 2066.3, ME

Finish: Route 15, Monson, ME

Elevation gain: 1,391'

I think Katahdin is somewhere in there.

Route from my Suunto.

Day 93/July 3

Miles hiked: 13.70 in 8:43

Start: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to, ME

Finish: Stealth tentsite, mile 2066.3, ME

Elevation gain: 2,602'

My not-so-stealthy tent site for the evening.

Route from my Suunto.

Day 92/July 2

Miles hiked: 14.70 in 8:09

Start: US Route 201, Caratunk, ME

Finish: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to, ME

Elevation gain: 3,268'

Route from my Suunto.

Day 91/July 1

Miles hiked: 4.00 in 2:04

Start: Pierce Pond Shelter, ME

Finish: US Route 201, Caratunk, ME

Elevation gain: 180'

Small waterfall along Pierce Stream.

The canoe ferry on the Kennebec River, bringing some Sobos across.

Crossing the Kennebec, the safe way, with Rabbit helping with the rowing.

Route from my Suunto.