Personal Tell My Mom Not To Worry (Maine) **UPDATE** I’m making an A.T. photo book! You can view and purchase it here. You’re looking at the majestic Mt. Katahdin, I hiked for more than 5 months, through 14 states and over 2000 miles to get to this beautiful mountain and it was worth every step. My brain is scattered with so many thoughts and emotions from this great adventure that I really don’t know where to begin. This one is going to take a long time to digest. Thanks to all my new friends I met along the way and to the many people who provided the random acts of kindness (trail magic) on such a regular basis. Hiking the Appalachian Trail has renewed my thirst for travel and seeking out new experiences, I can’t wait to see where I end up next. ‘Lodestone’ Page Pond ‘Rocky’ and ‘Playboy’ View from Gentian Pond Shelter. This ladder did not help with my fear of heights. I’m sure this is the work of a beaver, but I have seen hikers this hungry. ‘Cheese’, named for her camera ready smile not the food. ‘Little Brown’ ‘Corn Patch’ ‘Papa Smurf’ chatting with David at Pine Ellis. ‘Stambler’ Roots and rocks, that’s Maine. ‘Dirt Road Dave’ On a board walk through a bog. ‘Dessert First’ ‘Hobbit AT 85’ ‘Backgammon’ and ‘Fields’ 2000 miles down, 178 to go. An odd place to find a white blaze. Crossing the Kennebec river by canoe is the official way to stay on the Appalachian Trail. ‘#1 Son’ and ’96’ ‘Black and Tan’ taking a break at one of the many waterfalls in Maine. Sneaking a view from an old fire tower. Lunch break. This is what your legs look like after you fall in a bog. I think ‘Snow White’ is still laughing at me. The smell was horrible. One of many river crossing in Maine. A waterfall on the Gulf Hagas side trail. Me (‘Rooster’) and my dear friend ‘Snow White’. ‘Trinket’ I’m barely awake at this point in the day. Hanging up our wet gear at White House Landing. Boat ride back to the trail. ‘Ace’, ‘Hobo’ and ‘Crab’ The start of our final night hike. Early morning at a dam. Sneaking a peak of Mt. Katahdin during our second breakfast. ‘Dutch’ A view of Mt. Katahdin from Abol Bridge. ‘Snow White’ setting out on our final day. ‘Shagman’ negotiating some huge boulders. ‘Dutch’ devouring a Moon Pie. Hiking above the clouds. The sign. ‘Rock n’ Rolls’ mom (and dad) hiked to the summit to share in their sons amazing accomplishment. Emotional ‘Snow White’. ‘Rock n’ Roll’ ‘Shagman’ ‘Dodger’ ‘Rock n’ Roll’, ‘Fungi’, and ‘Veggie Scraps’ ‘Black and Tan’ ‘Motor Boat’ and ‘Pebbles’ ‘Patches’ celebrating with a little champagne. ‘Patches’ and ‘Motor Boat’ ‘Pebbles’ ‘Fungi’, ‘Veggie Scraps’ and their dog ‘Luna’ (dogs are not allowed in Baxter State Park). The only photograph I really ever wanted.

Personal Tell My Mom Not To Worry (The White Mountains) After a short trip home to photograph Chris and Steph’s wedding (see post below), I quickly found myself back on the trail and ready to hike. I was about to entire the White Mountains, we’ve been talking and hearing about them since starting the trail over 4 months ago. The trail for much of the Whites is above tree line, making it the most challenging part of the trail, but also the most beautiful. I was feeling great, my feet enjoyed the 5 days off and I was motivated to try and catch up to a few friends. True to my trail name (Rooster) I was up at the crack of dawn every day and usually on the trail between 5:30 – 6:30am. I hiked some hard, long days but it was all worth while when I walked up on Snow White, Roaring Lion and Pine Monkey and saw the look of shock on their faces. I had given them a 5 day head start out of Hanover, NH and caught them in just 6 days. We stayed at Madison Springs that night, my first and only hut in the White Mountains. It was an incredible week, probably my favourite so far. Sunset from a fire tower. Moon Pie and Duzy cooking dinner by the fire. Bard, trying to stay warm. I find Rocker funny, Hot Lips is not so sure. We often make arrows out of branches when the trail isn’t so obvious to follow. Turtleback climbing up Mt. Moosilauke Turtleback It’s crazy steep going down the back side of Moosilauke, so they have to bolt steps straight into the rock at certain points. Early start at Kinsman Notch. Kinsman Pond. View from my hammock at Liberty Spring campsite. My neighbors at Liberty Spring campsite. Early morning view on my way to Mt. Lafayette. Starring at the trail to Mt. Lafayette. Headed to Mt. Garfield. Looking back at Mt. Lafayette. Athos. Caught up to Gadget, who I last saw in Damascus, VA over 3 months ago! The Cog Railway takes tourists to the top of Mt. Washington. Happy to be on the other side of Mt. Washington and away from the crazy crowds. Snow White washing dishes at Madison Hut. One of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. Sometimes it’s best to look behind you. My 4th of July photo. Yes, that bear has a backpack and no, it’s not his!