August 10 – 2000 and The Zero that Wasn’t

Post date: Aug 11, 2012 10:44:14 PM

The morning arrived and the zero anticipated by "Five Pair" due to the rain falling and predicted to continue all day faded away as schedule pressures were considered. Calls to "Ground Control" provided weather reports and "Five Pair", "Duke" and "Keeper" enjoyed breakfast as they awaited the current rain to pass.

The starting time of the hike was to be 11:00am as the rain had passed but getting back to the trail five miles to the east became a bit more of a challenge than anticipated. The occupants of towns along the Appalachian Trail are quite used to providing hikers transport to trail heads on their local highway but the rain and time conspired against the hikers and they were not able to find their way to the trail until noon.

At the start was a gentle two miles soon interrupted by the upward hike to the Horns. The trail turned decidedly difficult here with a 4 mile hike up the mountain with 2600 feet in elevation change on wet, slick rocks. After the summit of the South Horn, a short descent followed by a 800 foot upward hike over the next mile to the summit of Bigelow Mountain’s west peak. The next mile was a sharp 300 foot descent followed by ascent to the top of 4090 foot Avery Mountain. After Avery, the race was on down the rocky descent of 1850 feet over two miles into the Safford Notch campsite as a rain storm seen from the peak approached.

"Five Pair" quickly set up her tent although the area was not ideal as the better tenting spots had been taken. Shortly after completing her setup, the skies opened and a struggle to keep dry ensued as the tenting spot was creating problems. The rain intensified as the evening wore on.

While "Five Pair" despises the rain and all the wet, cold discomfort it brings, on this evening as she fell asleep she did so with the warmth provided by the pride of having passed the 2000 miles hiked mark.

2006.5 miles complete/177.9 miles to go