Round Beard Tally Update and the Round Beard Quest

As of the last aid stop, the Round Beard count is up to 43.

Karl has officially begun his quest for the round beard. Check it here. (For some reason I am unable to post pictures directly to the blog right now. We're working on it.)

So how about a round beard challenge? Show your support of Karl and start growing your own round beard now. Or, if you have a round beard, send a picture of yourself in all your bearded glory to inspire the Speedgoat.

Send me the pics (low-res please) and your address to the media link above (marit [at] backcountry [dot] com), before the last day of Karl's run, and I'll upload them to our Flickr stream. We'll send everyone who joins in the Round Beard Quest a Where's Karl? t-shirt and sticker.

Fun. Bring it on. Show us your hair.

To Cheryl, with love.

A message from Karl to his wife.

I'm just the messenger. But if that's not romantic, I don't know what is.

Day 5-6 Intimate Details

Sunday, Aug. 10, 10:32 a.m.

Karl and Matt stopped last night and started this morning at the intersection of the trail and HWY 27, just two miles north of Sugarloaf Ski Resort. They got in around 8 p.m. and took off again this morning a little before 5 a.m.

Halfway through Day 5

Karl Sr. and I caught up with Karl and Matt at the base of Flagstafff Lake at about 2:30 p.m. They had just come about 18 miles from Caratunk where we left them this morning. They were in great shape, and so happy about the sun. They have a gnarly section ahead, up and over the Bigelows to HWY 27. Another 17-18 miles. We're hoping to see them between 7:30 and 8 p.m. there.

Karl Comments on the Itinerary

Saturday, Aug. 9, 11:31 a.m.

As you now know, Karl made the decision to stop at the Kennebec River yesterday afternoon. They arrived at the Caratunk Ferry put-in a good hour before the last boat across, but because they had been so hammered by rain and wet trails for almost 10 hours, Karl decided it was smarter for him to warm up, rest and get started again this morning. Here's what he has to say.

Day 4 Pics and Vids

Saturday, Aug. 9, 8:35 a.m.

Hey, guys. Sitting on the front steps of the Bingham Town Library to get internet access. It's an old house right on the main street through town (which actually may be called Main Street, but don't quote me on that). I'll use my words in a few to tell you what's up with the boys, but for now, just know that they stopped at the river last night, and got off safely this morning (in the SUNSHINE!) on the ferryman's first run of the day.

I'm uploading pics and vids from Day 4 right now. I know you want to see what they've been going through, so that's my first priority. I'll get those up, and some great shots and video from this morning, and I'll be back to you in a few.

All's well here in Maine. They knew what they were doing when they chose their state slogan: Life as it should be.

20+ Miles and Torrential Rain

I just got a call from Karl Sr. The boys made it through the deep bog at the end of their 20+ mile stint this morning and still managed to come in ahead of schedule. But the torrential rain is beating them down. They're in good shape and good spirits, but unless there's a break in the weather, they're now planning on calling it a day when they get to the Kennebec River. I'll keep you posted!

Crew To-do Today

Friday, Aug. 8, 11:10 a.m.

I have the rig today. I needed to get online to talk to you all and run some errands, so I drove backwards from the direction Karl is running to the biggest town around: Guilford. It’s not so big.

Senior’s got the Kia. He's on trail duty for the boys.

Big Round Beard Tally

Karl and Matt are keeping a tally of all the men they see on the trail with big, round, fully-formed, manly beards. It seems that the beard, on the AT, is a badge of honor.

So far: 21.

Karl is starting to grow his out. He said he'll grow it until it gets itchy. Check the photos on Flickr to see his progress.

Karl's Feet: A photo essay. Installment One.