Day 165 – Sluice Brook Logging Road to Caribou Valley Road

Written by

Charles Stump

in

Today’s Miles: 10.4

Trip Miles: 2008.6

“Then cold rain out on the streets

I am all alone

With cold rain down on my face

I am heading home” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Up at 7:30. It was. On trail at 8:30.

 Cloudy, low 50s, very humid, rain later

It was cold last night. Still calling for rain tomorrow. I have about 11 miles today with two good climbs. Doesn’t look too bad. My ride should pick me up at 4:00-4:30 and take me to the Terrapin Hostel in Kingsfield. I need a good resupply. After the hike today all I will have left is two dinners and some sausage snacks.

Rain started at 12:00 as I got to Spaulding Mountain Lean-to. Temps dropped and wind picked up. Stopped briefly to put on rain gear.

Passed by the monument to the official end of the AT from 1937.

Monument to the official end of the AT from 1937

Last 2.5 miles was HARD. Nasty steep rocky descent off Sugarloaf Mountain. Had to butt slide and rock scramble. The rain and clouds made that extra special. Finally wrapped up at a river crossing just before Caribou Pond Rd. Crossed the 2000-mile mark on that descent.

2000 Mile Marker
River crossing before Caribou Pond

Hiked a mile down Caribou Pond rd to the gate and met my shuttle driver, Jackie, at 3:00. This road is barely passable. Really appreciate her picking me up and understand why a lot of drivers won’t come up here. We stopped at a gas station convenience store on the way for snacks and adult beverages.

Arrived at Terrapin Hostel in Kingsfield  around 3:45.  Confirmed heavy rain tomorrow and asked about extending my stay. The only thing available tomorrow is the bunk room. Beggars can’t be choosers, so I’ll move to the shared room tomorrow morning at 10:00.

Really exhausted, so I took a nap for 90 minutes then walked to the restaurant in town for a nice dinner. I will stop at the gas station convenience store on my way home after dinner. I plan to talk to Dana about 8:00.

Tomorrow I’ll do 6 days of blogs and finalize my plans for the rest of my trip !

Day 165 Map – Sluice Brook Logging Road to Caribou Valley Road

Technical Notes:

  • Pop tart 370
  • Figs 500
  • Fatty beef stick 190
  • Snickers 440
  • Reese’s 500
  • Fritos 480
  • Misc 1000
  • Dinner 2000
    • Chicken Florentine
    • Stuffed mushrooms 
    • Rice
    • Broccoli
  • Water 1.4
  • Miles 10.5
  • Time 6:30
  • Elevation gain 3154
  • Calories consumed 6000
  • Calories burned 5500

Comments

Leave a Reply