DH started his thru hike of the AT

Nanbo,

Sorry to hear DH had a tumble and injures, but like any well-prepared athlete, competing in a race of a lifetime, you pick yourself up and continue towards the finish line. I have no doubt Non-Toxic will finish with revived vigor and energy as he approaches his final tantalizing miles. So many of us are cheering him on, please tell him so!
 
Got an email from 2 Trail Angels that met Non-Toxic at a state park in Pennsylvania that BLEW ME AWAY! I have sanitized it a bit for privacy of all parties concerned, but the gist of it is there:

Good Morning Nancy,
You have been keeping my betrothed up to date on Nontoxic’s NOBO progression. I wanted to let you know that "S" Lodging in Maine has a pre-paid reservation for Non-Toxic when he arrives. It includes a bed, shower, laundry and the famous S Breakfast. All he needs to do is give "S" his name and mention that he has a prepaid reservation... It’s that easy…
It was a pleasure meeting Non-Toxic this past father’s day. When we woke up that father’s day, none of us had any idea how we were spending that day. It was completely spontaneous. That day touched Tracey , Emmy and I deeply. Roughly 12 NOBO’ers rolled thru, Non-Toxic stayed and chatted with us for about an hour as other hikers came and left.
Best of luck !
D and T
 
If everything has gone according to plan, Non-Toxic entered Maine yesterday and has completed the dreaded Mahoosuk Notch Rock Scramble (the toughest mile of the trail!). He is entering into an area that is less populated with small towns so contact will be sparse. Let's hope the sun shines down on him for the next 2 weeks!
 
Received this email yesterday morning. Non Toxic was off the trail for some reason (maybe had to re-supply?) and was dropped off near the Bigelow Range which is around mile 2005. Here's a link to that area's highlights: http://www.northeasthikes.com/hike-bigelow-mountain-via-appalachian-trail/
Non Toxic has been through some pretty tough terrain and has probably had to reduce his mileage because of it. Without further ado, here's the email:

Hi Nancy,

I had the honor of meeting Non Toxic in Farmington, ME this morning as I was leaving coffee with my friends. Non Toxic was walking by with his backpack and I asked where he was headed. I gave him a lift from Farmington to the AT trailhead just west of the Bigelow Range.
The hour-long Jeep ride was a great time. We discussed many ideas, issues and Life in general. It was a great pleasure meeting your husband. I wish you two the very best and would be delighted to meet you and Non Toxic should a journey to Maine pan out in the future.

Sincerely,
Joseph D
Farmington, Maine
 
Nancy, he looks wonderful. I bet he is really enjoying the challenge and sights. He's almost done, right? I've watched all of redbeards AT vids and I'm looking at others' too. It is an enviable adventure. I know your support has made it seem all the brighter and better for him. Best of luck on the final stages.
 
Cut and paste from the email I sent to to friends and family:

Hello Fellow Ground Crew Hikers!
Got an email from Non-Toxic late last night; he made it to Monson, ME! Monson is the town just before entering The 100 Mile Wilderness, a very remote section of the trail leading to Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin.
Very special Trail Angels, Tracy & Dave from Pennsylvania, provided Non-Toxic with a pre-paid reservation for a room and a meal at a hiker hostel in Monson! Both of us were speechless and overcome with emotion over this extremely generous gesture. Non-Toxic will be luxuriating there tonight and will enjoy a phenomenal breakfast tomorrow morning before setting out into the 100 Mile Wilderness. This is just the thing he needs right now. I emailed Non-Toxic and asked why he was so far from the trail (when he was in Farmington, ME) and he responded in last night’s email that he was misled by a section hiker that sent him in the wrong direction for a clean motel (thank goodness that Trail Angel Joseph D. was there to give him the ride back to the trailhead near Bigelow Ridge). Here are a few excerpts from his email to me:

The cold was not a problem, but the thunder, lightning, rain, hail, and snow, were.
I slack packed a couple of days to let the weather pass, but it didn't.
I have been pummeled each of the Maine days and most nights.
I never suspected that my pack would turn into a sail and try to turn me in every direction while crossing mountain crests.
Have had to hide out for hours at a time to let weather pass, and then try to move forward again.
Each day is an amazing new and unpredictable comedy of new “Krackens”.
Difficult, to say the least.
Kennebec River was frustrating.
Arrived at 4:15 pm and they were serious about “not a minute later than four”.
Out of luck until this morning.
Lots of adjusting and readjusting.
Maine may be the hardest part of the hike, and no one really talks about it.
But, it could be me......fatigue...
I will see you very soon.

Based on his car rental request, Non-Toxic believes he’ll be finishing his hike and reaching Katahdin on Wednesday, August 12th! I looked ahead to see what the weather will be like for his 4.5 days of hiking…..cloudy, scattered thunderstorms….(sigh).
STAYED TUNED as we near the big finish!!!
Nancy
Command Central Ground Crew Hiker #1
 
I can't believe he is nearly done. I live in New England and Northern NH and Maine have been getting pummeled with wind, storms, hail, lightning, and some cold nights. Been thinking of Non-Toxic and wondering how he has been faring. He hasn't had favorable weather, that's for sure. He is my new hero!
He looks wonderful!! I would be crying like a baby.
Your happy reunion is coming soon. :D
 
Oh I'm bummed, I want him to finish with amazing views and gorgeous weather. I guess its the luck of the draw but it makes me think of investing in a vacation to tropical paradise and having a monsoon. wah, 8 O about pack being a sail and what was frustrating about the river? Thank you for sharing. Have you watched Crystal Weaver's vids? I think she's in a similar spot? On edge here!
 
Faithnveggies said:
Oh I'm bummed, I want him to finish with amazing views and gorgeous weather. I guess its the luck of the draw but it makes me think of investing in a vacation to tropical paradise and having a monsoon. wah, 8 O about pack being a sail and what was frustrating about the river? Thank you for sharing. Have you watched Crystal Weaver's vids? I think she's in a similar spot? On edge here!
Click to expand...
I think Non-Toxic arrived at the river 15 minutes too late to catch the ferry across and had to wait until the next morning (or, if I know him, he probably found another way across and kept going!). I haven't watched Crystal's videos...I'll have to check them out (on You Tube, right?)!
 
bonjonbart said:
I can't believe he is nearly done. I live in New England and Northern NH and Maine have been getting pummeled with wind, storms, hail, lightning, and some cold nights. Been thinking of Non-Toxic and wondering how he has been faring. He hasn't had favorable weather, that's for sure. He is my new hero!
He looks wonderful!! I would be crying like a baby.
Your happy reunion is coming soon. :D
Click to expand...
A co-worker of mine is originally from Maine and has relatives scattered all over the Northeast. Her 87 year old grandmother said she has NEVER seen such bad weather and powerful storms in her lifetime! Non-Toxic is my hero too! Can't believe he's almost done!
 
Nancy, yes she's on you tube
about a week ago they were in NH.Oops just meant to post link not embed.
Crystal commented in her last vid that their estimated summit date for Mt. Katahdin is August 20th, I bet they've crossed paths (literally) at some point. They are hiking fewer miles per day than Non Toxic I think.
 
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Non-Toxic entered the 100 Mile Wilderness on Saturday, August 8th, Day 92 of his journey (89 days of hiking)!!! He is hoping to do 20 miles per day and reach the top of Mt. Katahdin on Wednesday, August 12th, Day 96 of his journey (93 days of hiking) :)! I won't hear from him until he he somehow makes his way over to Bangor, Maine later that day. Hoping to ultimately have him back home on Friday, the 14th :D!
(I'm exhausted; can't imagine how he is feeling...!)
 
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