On the Trail.

Karl is now on the approximate 15-18 mile stretch of trail between the intersection of the AT and Golden Rd. near Abol store and Nesuntabunt Mountain, where we'll hook up with him again around 3:30 p.m. We'll give the boys some Powerbar Gel and water there and send them off on their last 8-mile leg of the day. We're planning on camping somewhere near the AT on Jo-Mary Rd. tonight.

Karl Sr. and I are in Millinocket, parked on Center street near the Key Bank, where I can somehow get Internet access. A nice couple from here stopped by to talk for a bit. They've been following along online and wanted to let us know. Very cool.




I'm doing my best out here, trying to keep you all updated and somewhat entertained despite very limited time and sparse Internet access. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post in rural Maine, but I'll keep everything as up to current as I can.

Karl, I don’t understand Maine-ish.

Karl has taken to speaking with an indecipherable (to us "flatlanders") Mainer accent, beginning every other sentence with “you kaint get dare frum ee-ah…” and then telling us, in thick Maine-ish, just exactly how you can get there.

yay.

Start Time: 7:18 a.m.

Official start time from the top of Mt. Katahdin: 7:18 a.m.

Wake time: 4:30 a.m.

Starting time (from Abol campground): 5:17 a.m.

Starting weather: Clear, blue skies, gentle temps. Perfect!

Starting weight: 142 lbs

Attitude: Joking, laughing, ready to go

Today before tomorrow

"Karl Meltzer? I know about you. I've heard people talking, and I read about you on the Internet." 

The ranger was sitting at his desk with a layer of papers covering it like a table cloth. We were crammed into his little cabin office, checking in at our campsite at the Katahdin Stream campground in Baxter State Park. We weren't sure what was going to come next: a smile or words of discouragement.

He chuckled.

"Yeah, people are saying that they want to run along with you and I tell them all: You aren't gonna be able to catch him!"

Cool.

He was charming and helpful and smiley and generally, from what we've experienced so far, Maine-like.

So now Karl's all registered as an official through-hiker. Good. Because tomorrow's the day!

"Let the Games Begin"

Check out Karl's post today on KarlMeltzer.com: "Let the Games Begin."

Matt Hart and I are headed to Mass. today to join up with Karl and his mom and dad. First thing tomorrow morning, Karl, Karl Sr., Matt and I are driving the rig up to Baxter State Park, where we'll scope the distance between our camp site and the start, check out the first Karl/crew intersection, and get all set up for the start on Tuesday.

Apparently, the rain in Maine falls mainly on the the Appalachian Trail. Well, ok. Not really. But it is raining like crazy up there right now. Keep an eye on the weather. It'll be top of our minds for sure. Heavy rains and flood watches are in the forecast, but it looks like it's supposed to clear on Tuesday.