Kim and Christine in the 100 Mile Wilderness

Day 4 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #14

Kim FordAugust 7, 2024314

Hike #4 – Pollywog Stream to Abol Bridge – 17.2 Miles – Gain 1,896 – Loss 1,985 – 3+ Water Crossings

“A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush,” Lil’bird (aka Karen) said as we began our 17+ mile hike this morning. It’s definitely a reminder to appreciate and hold onto what we have rather than risking it all for the chance of something more, which may never happen. Have you ever had something you gave up, tried to get more of instead, and then ended up with nothing? Sometimes… it’s a really hard decision.

Water crossing in the 100 Mile Wilderness

Today, was full of decisions. Some sections were quite difficult to navigate, with not one clear, easy path. They demanded swift, yet thoughtful choices, mirroring life’s complex dance of risk and reward. A rock that seemed stable at a glance could shift unexpectedly, a patch of mud might be deeper than it appeared, and a boulder, though solid, could be treacherously slick. The AT was a mosaic of such decisions, where in some places the stakes were as real as the ground beneath our feet.

Christine and I at the sign that shows only 21 miles left on the AT. Of course I’m standing in front of the numbers (LOL).

Midway, I confronted my fear head-on as the water crossing presented no dry passage. With wet, slippery logs as my only bridge, we chose to wade through the water. I did it. I swore quite a bit, but said sorry, then swore more.

The trail buzzed with the energy of thru-hikers, their anticipation palpable as they neared the summit of Katahdin. At the 100-mile marker (what marks the 100 Mile Wilderness from Baxter State Park), the excitement was infectious. For the NOBO’s like Swallowtail (a woman from Kentucky we met a few miles back), it marked the end of an epic journey, and for me, it was a beacon of inspiration as I delve deeper into the world of hiking, logging miles on the AT.

Yes, we are all hunched over and exhausted at this point. HaHa!

The 100-mile marker also signifies that only 21 miles remain to the summit of Katahdin, the grand finale of the northernmost terminal of the Appalachian Trail. For thru-hikers like Swallowtail, who have weathered the trail since early March, this marker is a testament to her steadfast journey, a prelude to the triumph that awaits at Katahdin’s peak.

Experiences on the Appalachian Trail are more than just a series of hikes; they’re a collection of life lessons, moments of courage, decisions, and encounters that inspire and challenge you with every mile.