All right, so we're in our next-to-last state! Can you believe it?? We look back now at the drizzly day we straggled into Hiawasse, GA, or the rainy day we stumbled like zombies down the hill into Franklin, NC, the snow that tucked in around us as we plodded through the Smokies, the the farewell to Trail back in Fontana Dam... it all just seems so far away.
We now have only 398.5 miles to Katahdin and we've hiked 1,777.7 miles (but who's counting?). Today we arrived here in Glencliff, NH to the Hikers Welcome Hostel. Hot outdoor shower, fridge full of honor-system Mountains Dews (.75 a can) and my fave: high speed internet. Tomorrow we begin the White Mountains with the first big climb, Mount Moosilauke (moose-uh-lock) at 3,500 feet. Dang! That's a LOT of hard climbing. The White Mountain range stretches through New Hampshire and a bit into Maine. The Whites mark the hardest (debatable) section of the trail because of all of the peaks in elevation and the summits get above treeline. In fact, the highest wind speed on Planet Earth was measured at the top of Mt. Washington at 231 miles per hour!
I wish I had time to upload pictures but it takes awhile and many people are in line behind me for the computer. For now just wanted to give a quick update on where we are. Just an idea of the rest of the trail - we have a little over 100 miles left in New Hampshire and then 280 miles once we cross into Maine. Our finish date will probably be anywhere from September 24th to October 1st. Ok, peacing out because we are hitching 5 miles to The Green House for a buffalo chicken sandwich.
More to come!
~Sweet Potato
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9 comments:
YEEEEHAAAAW!!! i can't believe you guys are almost (kind of) done. hot outdoor showers, mt. dew and free internet... sounds like my idea of a good time!
man, 231 mph winds?! that blows me away! (haha.)
here's a treat for when you get off the trail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOHOqCvb-T0
finally, someone posted it on youtube!
Hey Bets... sorry, the closest relatives to the trail (Heather, sis) live in Portland. will be happy to give you her contact info and she would love to show you a great time- but not sure how far you want to deviate??
I'm from Hudson, NH. You hike LaFayette in the white mountains (part of the AT) Love you forces upon forces. xoxox
231 mph... that blows my mind (crazy eye face), take a kite made of steel. Guys, your doing great, just a state or two left. I am so proud of you, you are doing what few people have done. And I look forward to seeing you back home for my birthday. I am looking forward to hearing your stories of all the great places you have been, things you have done, and people you have meet. Stay safe, Stay health, See ya soon.
~love Eli
PS - We will have a chair to sit and stare in and a set of clippers ready for your return. And we will see about making them soft and sharp.
Hi Guys! So proud of you once again and I pray blessings of strength as you climb those super high peaks! Crazy that the hardest part might be the end! We can't wait to see you back in Lebanon! Shoot for sometime before the 27th of September cause we will be home that weekend for my birthday and Sam's twins 1st birthday! Love you oodles and oodles, Toni Jill
Hey, its Erin (AKA Trail Dancer) I sent you an email but I wanted to post something up here too!! I am so happy that you guys are still out on the trail. I'd love to catch up sometime and swap stories once you get off!!
I must say of all the blogs, updates, cheers, ouches and amazement that more awesome than the feat of hiking the AT itself is the fact that Dustan totally pulls off the Moses look with that cathedral beard. Way to go, Dustan! And...amazing work on the trail guys!
Dustan and Betsy,
I'm not sure you got my comments from a couple of days ago. Just wanted to let you know we are still following you and love it when we go on your blog and you have more news of your adventures. WOW! Almost in Maine. What an accomplishment! We are so proud of you and feel like we know so much more about the AT. We've lived near it here in Waynesboro all of our lives but now it holds so much more interest to us.....because of you. It's been over two months since you were here. I have the pictures to prove it. I have some for you two and thinker.
Keep the news coming whenever you get a chance. God speed for the state of Maine. We send love.
You guys are so epic. I'm so excited for your accomplishments! If you're driving back down from the Maine, stop by and visit me in Charlottesvegas!
Love,
-Rach
Hey Guys! Its Erin from RU Outdoors. I also sent you an email, but I wanted to post a quick message. I have been tring to find you guys for months. Even signing other peoples journals asking if they had seen you. Too bad I didn't know your trail names. Hope your doing good and still having fun. Your almost done!
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