WREN Agent Hiking Appalachian Trail

Greetings!

David has called a couple of times when he could get a signal – but, clearly there has never been one long enough to send you an update.  This past week has been rain,  rain, and then more rain.

He says he’s moving pretty slowly because it is so rocky and slippery.  Last Sunday, after falling 5 times in one day, he took a break at the White House Landing Wilderness Camp.  Just south of the Nahmakanta Stream Campsite to Maher Tote Road about a mile to  Permadumcook Lake  - follow shore line about a mile to a boat dock - sound air horn for ferry to the camp.  (You REALLY have to want to get out of the rain!)  It was that or the Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To.  (Do they speak English in Maine?)     

He camped out for the next 4 nights – staying in “Lean-To’s”  (that’s what they call a shelter up north.)  Not his favorite place to sleep – but dryer than under the stars.  There are few, if any  bridges  for crossing the many streams.  He said the deepest has been up to his crotch and the longest about 50 yards.  He has to stop, take off his boots, tie them to his backpack and put on his boat shoes.  Now, he is really grateful he bought those walking sticks!!

No bear or moose so far…but he did have an encounter with a very angry grouse…He’ll have to tell you about that.

On Thursday, again because of the constant rain, David found out about an all-inclusive resort, called the Gorman Chairback on Long Pond.  He took the plunge – found the road to the lodge – and hiked in.  He stayed there for two nights – pampered with all you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.  They even did his laundry!  He says we will go back there one day – it was so wonderful.

So, the last word from him was Saturday morning as he was heading back into the wilderness.  He expects to be in Monson, Maine and civilization by Tuesday….if he doesn’t drown.

Take care,

Linda Brantley

FROM: Linda

Hey everyone,

David called yesterday (from the top of a privy), safe and sound, but with very limited cell phone service, so we talked only for a moment.  He said the hike to the top of Mt. Katahdin on Thursday was A-MAZ-ING! The weather was perfect, and the climb took 7 hours up and back.  Not bad, since the rangers say to plan on 10 hours!

Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine at 5,268 feet.  Pronounced – CAT –AHH’ – DIN (thanks Floater! We miss you.)  “The translation of the (Penobscot) Indian word Katahdin is “greatest mountain.” Maine Indians considered the mountain a holy place and believed in Pamola, the diety of Katahdin, who purportedly would destroy any man who ventured too close to the mountain.  The first recorded ascent of Katahdin by Euro-Americans came on Aug. 13, 1804, when a party led by Charles Turner Jr. Reached the summit by the same rocks-and-roots route used by the A.T. – the Hunt Trail (named after the Hunt family that had a homestead below.)   Since then, the mountain has captured the imagination of many, including Henry David Thoreau, who explored the area in 1846.  Thoreau Springs bears his name.”  (from the Thru-Hikers companion.)

Here is a photo from Google of Mt. Katahdin.  The trail follows that spiny ridge up 4,000 plus feet plus to the summit.