Day 171 – Zero in Monson, Maine

Up at 8:00. Made coffee, ate some donuts, and started to work on my plans.

I felt good getting to Monson yesterday. But now that I’m planning out the Hundred Mile Wilderness (HMW), I’m feeling very anxious again. I’m tired of being this much on my own. I’m not seeing many people on the trail. Zero people yesterday. And I’m finally facing some rough weather over the next week. And did I mention how remote this part of Maine is?

Put together an initial plan for the first part of the HMW. I’m sure I’m overthinking it. Then I sat down with Barry from 100 Mile Wilderness Adventures (where I am currently staying) and worked through the first 4 days or 60 miles of the plan. We compromised on some things, and I now have a concrete plan for tomorrow (Wednesday) through Saturday. That gets me from mile 2082 to mile 2141 over 4 days. I have an initial plan for the remaining 58 miles, but I’ll firm that up at the 100 Mile Wilderness Inn in Millinocket, Maine, Saturday evening. A lot will depend on the weather. I don’t want to attempt the rock scramble up Katahdin in the rain if at all possible. 

Barry ran me into town for a small shopping trip. Then back to camp. I reached out to the 100 Mile Wilderness Inn in Millinocket, Maine, to book a shuttle and room for Saturday. By that point, I’m much closer geographically to them, so it’s easier and cheaper to work out the very last 3-4 days of my adventure with them.

I’m slackpacking the next two days. I got my pack and food ready and planned out my shopping needs for Friday and Saturday. Will do that shopping Thursday evening. 

Barry is picking me up at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow to go to the trail. I’ll be hiking about 16 miles SOBO back to where I am today. Sent Barry a test message from my Garmin as there is little to no ATT cell service in this area. He confirmed receipt. I guess I’m all set for tomorrow.

Technical Notes:

• Mini donuts 600
• Pizza 1200
• Misc 1200 
• Water 0
• Miles 0
• Time 0
• Elevation gain 0
• Calories consumed N/A
• Calories burned N/A