Journal Entries

First of all I would like to thank everyone who will see my journal. This is a huge undertaking for me, and I do wonder what the hell was I thinking at times. Then I realize this is for those veterans who paid the ultimate price in defense of our freedoms.

I am representing the Brothers in Arms Foundation during my thru hike. My goal is to raise funds for this amazing organization. Please look them up at: www.brothersinarmsfoundation.org

If you enjoy my journal please share it far and wide. Visibility helps me stay motivated and lets us never forget our fallen brothers and sisters in arms.

Leaving the campground the day after our hike we met these AT thru-hikers who had started from Georgia late February. So fun to chat and cheer them on for their last AT push - Kathdin! The guy on the left - trail name Traveller - couldn't wait to shave off that wooly patch on his face :) The guy on the near right is from Edmonton, AB, Canada. And the other fellow on the right in the background and the girl sitting in the front got married a few days before they started the AT. Their trail names were Honey and Moon. Love these AT stories and achievements. Both sets of parents of the newly-weds were here - they had provided this morning feast (trail magic!) - you see the scrape on Traveller's knee? That is fresh blood from scraping the rock "table" this picnic was sitting on: I'm thinking after the 100-mile Wilderness this food looked pretty inviting!

Taking a breather under the canopy not too far from the "finish line" - car in the parking lot @hammerhead got his mo-jo happening and had pushed on ahead :)

Which way is the best - safest, easiest - way down?! With @hammerhead and friends. Photo courtesy of Janice Rand.

My (mountain) man @hammerhead - the day before his 65th birthday xo Photo credits, Janice Rand

@hammerhead with his shoes off while eating lunch - yes he did eat more than an apple and red pepper. We all consumed a lot of water - and the light jacket we brought for the top was not needed! Photo credits: Nancy Veinot

Must have a summit photo! It was pretty crowded at the top, being a Saturday with good weather and clear skies...saw a marriage proposal with engagement ring and tears and cheers - that was cool. Took us four hours to summit - had a half hour lunch break and then another 3 3/4 hours down, which overall was better than we anticipated.

Nancy Veinot bravely bouldering: following the blue blazes. Photo credits: Janice Rand

Apparently the Abol trail route is the shortest - and the steepest. Correct - lots of looking way up. Started at 7:30, had a beautiful day - hot and sunny, great for views with a little bit of breeze once in a while.

Three friends - Shelley, Nancy, Janice - and me (left to right) all live in Lunenburg County, NS, Canada. On a hike with Shelley about three months ago she told me that hiking Katahdin has been on her bucket list since High School so I jumped in to help her make it happen! Great fun.