MAINE!!!!

The finish line is in his sights!

Ok, maybe not literally. At this point, it is doubtful that Jeff can actually see the Katahdin summit... But he's close.... Very, very close!

After nearly five and a half months, Jeff's journey is coming to an end.

At the beginning of this week, he posted this Facebook status update from a hostel in Monson, Maine:

Zero day in Monson, ME. 6 days in the 100 mile wilderness starts tomorrow. Baxter State Park. And finally...Mount Katahdin!!!

I stole some photos from Jess' Facebook page, below. She posted a few clicks while in Monson, one of which (not pictured) included a 2000 mile marker!!!  For those of you keeping score at home, that's approximately 180 miles to go (quite a few of which they would've trekked through this week)... 

Happy hikers near a "ferry" ride over the Kennebec River.
(Courtesy of Jess' Facebook)

(Courtesy of Jess' Facebook)

(Courtesy of Jess' Facebook)

I stumbled upon this blogger, Philip Werner, who sections portion of the Appalachian Trail and gives further detail of segments of the hike.  Here, he outlines an area that Jeff and Jess traveled this week: http://sectionhiker.com/at-section-hike-monson-to-maine-highway-27/

The past week's weather here, in Upstate NY, has been well below the average for end-of-summer, so I can only imagine how chilly it is in the New England wilderness!!!  Luckily, the trip has run right-on-schedule - maybe even a little ahead - so he will completed before Fall settles in.

Though I have been posting less and less as the months drone on (and we miss him more and more)... I will certainly update everyone to with the monumental finish at Katahdin!!!

UPDATE FROM JEFF: WHITE MTNS

Dad had a phone call from Jeff today - which was GREAT because we hadn't heard from him for about 2 weeks (perhaps the longest stretch since he's been on the trail).  Jeff and Jess are in the White Mtns (limited cell reception).  I'll give you a little glimpse in to the email Dad sent out to update the fam...

"...on the top of Mtn Washington N.H. The signs have said, if the weather is bad do not hike to the top. Well it wasn't too bad. At the top 60 mph winds and only 100' visibility. The good news is that Jessica's knee is doing fine.

They are gong to continue hiking down Mtn Washington today. From the Top of the Mtn. they have only 333 miles to complete their journey

While hiking the White Mtns they have come across section that have huts for rent at $120.00 per night and I believe that includes free food in the lodge(s?). Along these areas J and J ask if there is any work for exchange for a free place to sleep and food. So they sleep on the floor of the lodge after they clean up do dishes etc. They get left over food at night and in the morning free breakfast as well."

Daddy-O!

Poppa Harry returned Jeff & Jess to the trail, right back where they got off - at 1463.2 miles in...  He hiked for a large part of two days with them - the old man put in 14-16 miles each day!  Ha!

Father-Son Trekkin' 

Beautiful view as Dad bid goodbye to Jeff and our new friend Jess.  xo

There's no place like home...

After reaching 1463.2 miles on the trail, Jeff & gal pal Jess met up with Dad near Kent, CT in order to take a quick trip to Catskill for two much needed "zero days" (hiking no miles) and to resupply with dry goods, clean laundry, NY pizza, home cooking and plenty of hugs and kisses!

We missed Jeff's birthday, so we celebrated by Nana's pool with a congratulatory cake!

Jeff and Jess have been pushing themselves hard these days, doing 20 miles or more quite often - all before a very early bedtime each night (they are exhausted by 8pm).  

I tried to rapid fire questions while we had them captive... so here's a few (paraphrased) highlights:

My Question:  What the hell do you talk about after spending that much time together.

 - Jess:  Everything and nothing.  (She also recounts of a few day stretch when all Jeff did was talk like Forrest Gump). 

- Jeff:  Some days we don't talk for awhile, we just hike.  Some days we're like, "W is a weird letter..." and then we talk about that for awhile. 

My Question:  What is the one thing in your pack that you don't NEED, but you won't hike without. 

- Jess:  My books.  (They trade out books at shelters where other hikers will leave/trade/share them or grab them from free bins at various places along the way).

- Jeff:  My umbrella.  (On rainy days, he hikes with a special umbrella that clips to his pack strap, covering both him and his some of his pack.  Jess has purchased one since on the trail - since Jeff was always impressively dry). 

Calories

Jeff and Jess ate everything in sight on their trip home, as is per usual on any trip in to "town" since staying full on the trail is near impossible.  On the trail, eating "healthy" isn't the goal - it's calories!  Keeping energy up with Snickers bars and "pasta sides" packets.  Despite a somewhat junky diet, they both have lost significant amounts of weight and are the picture of perfect health and happiness!

Cool trail finds

Jeff found an AMAZING totally genuine arrowhead right before his visit home.  My Mom said "it was pointing him home."  With a chuckle, Jeff said - no, actually it was pointing southwest.  He also has acquired these stylin' sunglasses... 

the dude.

Congrats, Jeff & Jess, on rockin' 1463.2 miles of smiles
...and probably a few shitty days too.. but you're kicking the AT's butt!

The Stats

My Dad updated me on the current statistics for Jeff's mileage... I gave a lowball estimate in my last post.  He's further along :) 

"Troutville is 725 miles into Jeff's journey. When he reaches Harpers Ferry he will be at 1018.3 miles into his journey. He will be 74.65 miles short of the half way point."