Days 118 to 127: The Super Bubble

Hanover, NH to Rangely, ME

Let’s play some Catch Up..

How do I even begin. These past few weeks have felt like a dream. After taking a few days off in Hanover I hit the trail a little nervous but so excited to see the White Mountains. I knew didn’t want to go through the Whites alone and was afraid I’d still be caught between bubbles. There had not been very many NoBos around me for quite a while. But almost immediately after I was back on the trail I ran into old friends. The trail provides!

Wonka caught me the day before Moosilauke. I hadn’t seen her since North Carolina! It was so fun getting to catch up on each others lives. She and I decided to be super ambitious and do Moosilauke and the Kinsman Ridge (21.9 miles) which in normal trail life isn’t a big deal. To make matters even more challenging we did almost all of it in a rainstorm. One thing that makes the White Mountains unique is how sheltering works. You pay a fee to stay at sites with a designated caretaker or you try and get a work for stay at one of the numerous huts. They generally only take a few thru hikers so it’s a bit of a competition to get a spot. It really is a sweet deal, you do some cleaning in exchange for leftovers and a spot on the ground to sleep. Free food and lodging? Yes please. Luckily Wonka and I managed to snag the work for stay spots that first night. We were so worn out that the thought of having to go a few extra miles to stealth camp made me feel like crying (I know, I’m a drama queen..).

 

The following day after a quick resupply and mandatory breakfast feast we hit up Franconia Ridge. It was incredible. That night Wonka pushed on to the next hut while I decided to stop at the shelter. And I am so glad I did because that’s where I caught the super bubble. I had been trying to catch Large and White Rabbit for weeks and low and behold they were there with the Bernstein Bears, Cosmo, and Roller. I was lucky enough to be absorbed right into their crew as we took on the Whites together.

The Maine Attraction

We are now at mile 1968.7 IN MAINE and have essentially commuted to finishing together.

SO MAINE. It’s insane. I passed the final state line on Canada Day. Which was actually the best Canada Day ever: I sunk up to my waste in mud, tackled the most fun mile of the AT (Mahoosuc Notch) with White Rabbit, went swimming, and was surprised by sparklers accompanied by Canada’s National Anthem (have I mentioned how awesome my friends are!?)!

ANYWAYS, back to Maine…

The terrain is rugged and challenging but the scenery is breathtaking! The temperatures, forests, lakes and wildlife remind me of Ontario. It makes me feel both homesick and at home at the same time. That’s kind of where I’m at mentally. Somedays I feel like I never want this adventure to end and others I just want to be back home drinking an iced Capp. I know it’s going to be very bittersweet to summit Katahdin. I am going to try and make the most of these last few hundred miles.

Thats all for now,

Dill