Knowing that Brett was in the Hundred Mile Wilderness, I really didn't expect to hear from him again. Brett surprisingly had some cell service and was able to call home. He just doesn't have a way of recharging his phone. He is staying in a hostel in the middle of nowhere which has no electricity. They cook and run everything (including lights and refrigeration) on propane gas. The hostel is right on a lake. You blow an air horn when you get to their dock, and they come by boat to pick you up.
Brett said there are lakes everywhere. Katahdin may be only about 15 miles as the crow flies, but the trails twists and turns around the water. You see planes flying everywhere.
Brett hiked 3 miles to the hostel, leaving him only 46 more miles to go. The weather is terrible. Brett said that it has rained five of the last seven days. "Even my bones are wet." Brett, and quite a few other hikers (the hostel is full with 12 people), welcomed a chance to get out of the rain and stay in a hostel. Brett plans to hike the summit of Katahdin on Sunday, weather permitting. Sunday had the best forecast, and Brett may have to skip up to 10 miles in order to be at the top in decent weather--a sacrifice that Brett will gladly make.
The plan for Brett's return is that Coconut and her dad (whose name I finally discovered is Tailwind), as well as fellow hiker, BP, will drive down I-95 and drop off Brett in Kittery. Brett said he is ready to go home and sleep.
I asked Brett about Buzzkill, who started hiking the A.T. when Brett did, and whom Brett has kept up with almost the entire time. Brett saw Buzzkill a few days ago. They talked about summitting together, but Buzzkill got ahead of Brett and was ready to be done and get home.
Brett came into the hostel with an almost empty food bag. The hostel has a pantry for hikers to resupply. After this there may be one more "supply pantry". But Brett is starting to throw away some of his food containers now as he finishes them. He has only about one more meal on the trail. Then one last guilt-free meal in Millinocket (the town closest to Katahdin where Brett will probably stay after he summits).
Brett has only one more page of "The A.T. Guide" left. This is the book that has given him all the details of the trail along the way. He would rip out one page at a time, keeping it in his pocket for easy reference as he hiked. Then, when he finished that section he would throw it away and tear out the next page to carry. Now all that is left is one page.
Brett said that he is ready to be done. He is ready to be home. But, he is still enjoying this last section of trail. I hoped that Brett wouldn't be so focused on getting it over with, that he missed enjoying the finish. It sounds like he will enjoy the finish as well as being finished.
Showing posts with label hostel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hostel. Show all posts
Sunday, August 19, 2012
(Wed. 8/1/12) Andover, ME (phone call)
Brett called on Tuesday morning to say that he was feeling a little better and was going to try to eat something. Brett called me back on Wednesday afternoon to say that he was feeling better and was pretty much over the stomach bug. I asked him if he was up to 70/80% healthy-normal. He said that was functioning at 95%. That was great news. I was happy to hear that it was a fairly short illness.
Monday, July 30, 2012
(Mon. 7/30/12) Andover, ME (phone call)
I got a surprise phone call from Brett fairly late tonight. We only talked for a few minutes--just long enough for him to tell me that he was miserable and that Maine was killing him. I immediately thought it must be sore muscles or blistered feet. I was sad to hear that Brett, along with a large number of other hikers in that section of the trail, has come down with a stomach virus.
Brett said that it hit him at 4:00am. He went in search of some lodging and found a bed and bathroom at Pine Ellis Lodge. Brett said there are five other hikers in the hostel with the same symptoms he is experiencing (including Coconut, whom I met in Gorham, NH, and her dad). The hostel right by the trail in Gorham is full, with some sick hikers. And there are more sick hikers in the hostel north of Brett.
Brett had told me before that hikers don't often get sick, because germs don't get passed around the same way that they might in a community with more people. It is unusual for this many hikers to get sick. It makes you wonder if there's something in the water.
Whatever it is, I hope that Brett isn't miserable too long. I hope he doesn't lose any more weight from being sick. And I hope that he gains his strength back quickly. Brett said that he planned on taking a zero day tomorrow (Duh!). I hope that he is able to rest his body back to health.
Brett said that it hit him at 4:00am. He went in search of some lodging and found a bed and bathroom at Pine Ellis Lodge. Brett said there are five other hikers in the hostel with the same symptoms he is experiencing (including Coconut, whom I met in Gorham, NH, and her dad). The hostel right by the trail in Gorham is full, with some sick hikers. And there are more sick hikers in the hostel north of Brett.
Brett had told me before that hikers don't often get sick, because germs don't get passed around the same way that they might in a community with more people. It is unusual for this many hikers to get sick. It makes you wonder if there's something in the water.
Whatever it is, I hope that Brett isn't miserable too long. I hope he doesn't lose any more weight from being sick. And I hope that he gains his strength back quickly. Brett said that he planned on taking a zero day tomorrow (Duh!). I hope that he is able to rest his body back to health.
Friday, July 20, 2012
(Sat. 7/6/12) Killington, VT (Phone Update)
Brett was staying at The Inn at Long Trail, near where The Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail split. Brett said it had rained all day and he was tired. He decided to share a hotel room with another hiker, Gun Runner.
I asked how Brett's Fourth of July celebration was. He said it was a bust. He got a rider to a soccer field in town to participate in the festivities. They had a nice presentation before the fireworks but they had to delay the fireworks because of a big lightning storm the next town over. They delayed again. And again. Then there were reports of hail the next town over, so they had to cancel the fireworks altogether. Brett had to walk to meet back up with his ride and ended up soaking wet. Bummer.
Brett said he crossed the point where there are less than 500 miles left to go. He still faces mental challenges every day. Every hill is still a challenge.
Killington is the first 4,000-ft. climb since maybe VA. He met up with four college kids were there hiking Killington as part of a reunion. He climbed with them and talked the whole way. Brett said it was nice to have the company while climbing. It made it go by faster and easier.
I asked Brett if he could feel that the uphill climbs were easier now that he has been hiking for over four months. Brett said that every climb is tough. But the recovery after a climb is quicker and the breaks are shorter.
We talked about wildlife on the trail. Brett had not seen a moose, but he did see moose turd. He saw a porcupine in New York. And he saw a bear in Mass. Brett was a switchback down from the bear. The bear came down from a tree, sat on the trail, and walked off.
Brett said that he hasn't been hiking with many other hikers. There was a section hiker, G-Paw (?) that Brett had been enjoying hiking with. But he broke his wrist and was now off the trail. Brett said he is about two weeks ahead of the pack. Brett left in mid/late February, and most set off in March. Brett said he "had my lonely fill" and would be okay with some more people.
I asked how Brett's Fourth of July celebration was. He said it was a bust. He got a rider to a soccer field in town to participate in the festivities. They had a nice presentation before the fireworks but they had to delay the fireworks because of a big lightning storm the next town over. They delayed again. And again. Then there were reports of hail the next town over, so they had to cancel the fireworks altogether. Brett had to walk to meet back up with his ride and ended up soaking wet. Bummer.
Brett said he crossed the point where there are less than 500 miles left to go. He still faces mental challenges every day. Every hill is still a challenge.
Killington is the first 4,000-ft. climb since maybe VA. He met up with four college kids were there hiking Killington as part of a reunion. He climbed with them and talked the whole way. Brett said it was nice to have the company while climbing. It made it go by faster and easier.
I asked Brett if he could feel that the uphill climbs were easier now that he has been hiking for over four months. Brett said that every climb is tough. But the recovery after a climb is quicker and the breaks are shorter.
We talked about wildlife on the trail. Brett had not seen a moose, but he did see moose turd. He saw a porcupine in New York. And he saw a bear in Mass. Brett was a switchback down from the bear. The bear came down from a tree, sat on the trail, and walked off.
Brett said that he hasn't been hiking with many other hikers. There was a section hiker, G-Paw (?) that Brett had been enjoying hiking with. But he broke his wrist and was now off the trail. Brett said he is about two weeks ahead of the pack. Brett left in mid/late February, and most set off in March. Brett said he "had my lonely fill" and would be okay with some more people.
(Tue. 7/3/12) Manchester Center, VT (Phone Update)
The text that I received from Brett on Mon. 7/2/12 is typical: "I should be able to call tomorrow. Terrible cell coverage in VT." Of course, we traded texts back and forth on Tuesday trying to figure out when we would be free to talk. I was spending the morning with family at a hot air balloon festival when he called. Brett was in the middle of eating lunch when I returned his call. We traded a few more texts working out our schedules and finally talked that afternoon.
Brett said the Green Mountains in Vermont were really nice. He had a few tough days of exhaustion where his muscles just didn't seem to want to work any more. So he planned on taking it easy and resting a bit.
He was staying at Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester, VT. He said it was a really nice place. In fact, it was the nicest place he has ever stayed in on the trail. They give all of their guests a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
My parents were able to meet up with Brett the day before. They went out for dinner and took Brett to a grocery store to resupply. I asked Brett if they said anything about his appearance. I had told my parents that Brett had not cut his hair or shaved his beard, that he had lost a lot of weight and generally looked homeless. Brett said my mom's words were, "I just didn't expect it to be this extreme." Brett said he has a whole mountain man beard. My mom took one snapshot of him which I have now seen. He really doesn't look much like the man I last saw four months ago.
Brett said that he is "seeing the light". He is getting more enjoyment out of the hike, though he still has a lot of hard hiking ahead.
There was a tragedy on the trail a few weeks ago. Brett said that this far along on the trail, all the thru-hikers know of most all the other thru-hikers for that year. They may not have met them all, but they are aware of most of the AT Thru-Hikers Class of 2012. One of the thru-hikers in the class, a younger kid named Parkside died 50 miles from Katahdin. He dove into a lake, and the word is that his body instantly cramped up and he drowned. Five fellow hikers left the trail to attend his funeral. They were now carrying his ashes the rest of the way to Katahdin. He said the tragedy was felt strongly by everyone in their "class".
Brett said he can't really feel his big toes anymore. They are almost totally numb. He also thinks he'll always have a lingering limp from stress of the trail. And he has really big calf muscles. I asked Brett if having minor, but permanent damage to his body would be worth it in the end. His response was, "Totally".
Brett said the Green Mountains in Vermont were really nice. He had a few tough days of exhaustion where his muscles just didn't seem to want to work any more. So he planned on taking it easy and resting a bit.
He was staying at Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester, VT. He said it was a really nice place. In fact, it was the nicest place he has ever stayed in on the trail. They give all of their guests a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
My parents were able to meet up with Brett the day before. They went out for dinner and took Brett to a grocery store to resupply. I asked Brett if they said anything about his appearance. I had told my parents that Brett had not cut his hair or shaved his beard, that he had lost a lot of weight and generally looked homeless. Brett said my mom's words were, "I just didn't expect it to be this extreme." Brett said he has a whole mountain man beard. My mom took one snapshot of him which I have now seen. He really doesn't look much like the man I last saw four months ago.
Brett said that he is "seeing the light". He is getting more enjoyment out of the hike, though he still has a lot of hard hiking ahead.
There was a tragedy on the trail a few weeks ago. Brett said that this far along on the trail, all the thru-hikers know of most all the other thru-hikers for that year. They may not have met them all, but they are aware of most of the AT Thru-Hikers Class of 2012. One of the thru-hikers in the class, a younger kid named Parkside died 50 miles from Katahdin. He dove into a lake, and the word is that his body instantly cramped up and he drowned. Five fellow hikers left the trail to attend his funeral. They were now carrying his ashes the rest of the way to Katahdin. He said the tragedy was felt strongly by everyone in their "class".
Brett said he can't really feel his big toes anymore. They are almost totally numb. He also thinks he'll always have a lingering limp from stress of the trail. And he has really big calf muscles. I asked Brett if having minor, but permanent damage to his body would be worth it in the end. His response was, "Totally".
(6/2_ /12) Great Barrington, MA (Phone Update)
Ugh. I was able to chat with Brett for a while, but I was so busy taking notes of his activities that I never wrote down the date of this phone call.
Brett had pushed himself the day before, hiking 26 miles. He said it was too much and he was hurting because of it. He had blisters from his new shoes. He hiked only a few miles and arrived at a hostel that morning-what they call a Nero day (near zero). His goal was to hike 20 miles the next day.
He was spending the day at the hostel taking care of errands-phone calls, laundry, and a shower. He planned on ordering pizza for dinner.
Brett said he hiked all through Connecticut without really seeing other hikers. He was in kind of a weird bubble. Some hikers were about a day ahead, some about a day behind, but he was really hiking alone.
They had record heat the previous weekend. Brett said the smell has gone up to a whole different level. He sat in a creek pouring water over his head to cool down his core temp. He said to himself, I could handle some rain. Not much later he was stuck in a thunderstorm with hail the size of a cherry or grape, with nowhere to go. It was June and there was an inch of ice on the ground. He from hot to freezing in about 15 minutes. The hail was smooth and round, making it difficult to walk over. Brett said you have to be careful what you wish for. Brett said it was raining again; another grey day.
Brett was in Massachusetts and said that the mosquitoes were the worst he's ever seen. They continued biting even while he was moving.
On the positive side, Brett said there were wild blueberries all over the place. He was out of the range of the wild raspberries, and the huckleberries weren't ripe yet. He passed by a small, out-of-the-way, but busy creamery. I told him folks know how to do ice cream in New England.
Brett was in Great Barrington, MA. He planned to resupply in Lee.
I didn't hear much about it, but Brett was able to have visitors along the way. His friend Nancy and her sister were able to hike with him for a couple of days. Although I think Brett had to significantly slow down his pace, it's worth it to be able to have good company for a little while.
Brett had pushed himself the day before, hiking 26 miles. He said it was too much and he was hurting because of it. He had blisters from his new shoes. He hiked only a few miles and arrived at a hostel that morning-what they call a Nero day (near zero). His goal was to hike 20 miles the next day.
He was spending the day at the hostel taking care of errands-phone calls, laundry, and a shower. He planned on ordering pizza for dinner.
Brett said he hiked all through Connecticut without really seeing other hikers. He was in kind of a weird bubble. Some hikers were about a day ahead, some about a day behind, but he was really hiking alone.
They had record heat the previous weekend. Brett said the smell has gone up to a whole different level. He sat in a creek pouring water over his head to cool down his core temp. He said to himself, I could handle some rain. Not much later he was stuck in a thunderstorm with hail the size of a cherry or grape, with nowhere to go. It was June and there was an inch of ice on the ground. He from hot to freezing in about 15 minutes. The hail was smooth and round, making it difficult to walk over. Brett said you have to be careful what you wish for. Brett said it was raining again; another grey day.
Brett was in Massachusetts and said that the mosquitoes were the worst he's ever seen. They continued biting even while he was moving.
On the positive side, Brett said there were wild blueberries all over the place. He was out of the range of the wild raspberries, and the huckleberries weren't ripe yet. He passed by a small, out-of-the-way, but busy creamery. I told him folks know how to do ice cream in New England.
Brett was in Great Barrington, MA. He planned to resupply in Lee.
I didn't hear much about it, but Brett was able to have visitors along the way. His friend Nancy and her sister were able to hike with him for a couple of days. Although I think Brett had to significantly slow down his pace, it's worth it to be able to have good company for a little while.
(Tue. 6/12/12) NY (Phone Update)
I apologize for those who may have been waiting to hear updates from from Brett for the past month. I have not had easy access to a computer during that time. In addition, I have not had very much communication with Brett. Most of the problem has been cell phone reception. But Brett also may not have called as much because he did not want to interrupt my time with family, and finding time when he was not hiking and when I was at home to talk to him without being surrounded by family was a little difficult.
During this short phone call Brett did not let me know his location. He crossed into New York two days before. He was staying in the basement of a church with a kitchen and was taking a walk to the grocery store to get some snacky food. He decided to take a zero day. Brett said he was ready for one; besides, it was going to be raining all day.
Brett said that there were no more outfitters around for him to easily get supplies. He asked me to start looking for some things for him. He second pair of shoes were going out. I ended up shipping him a new pair of shoes, sock liners, hiking pole tips, and a smaller pair of underwear.
Brett has lost 45 pounds and now weighs close to 195 pounds.
During this short phone call Brett did not let me know his location. He crossed into New York two days before. He was staying in the basement of a church with a kitchen and was taking a walk to the grocery store to get some snacky food. He decided to take a zero day. Brett said he was ready for one; besides, it was going to be raining all day.
Brett said that there were no more outfitters around for him to easily get supplies. He asked me to start looking for some things for him. He second pair of shoes were going out. I ended up shipping him a new pair of shoes, sock liners, hiking pole tips, and a smaller pair of underwear.
Brett has lost 45 pounds and now weighs close to 195 pounds.
Monday, May 21, 2012
(Fri. 5/18/12) Blackburn AT Center, VA - Phone Update From Brett
Brett is sounding really good on the phone these days. It makes me happy to hear him so positive again. He was camping (alone) at the Blackburn AT Center just at the end of VA.
Brett is now a "Thousand-Miler". Brett has walked over 1,000 miles. One Thousand Miles! That is huge.
Brett said he would be arriving in Harpers Ferry over the weekend, staying in the Teahorse Hostel. Brett's dad has two cousins who live relatively close to Harpers Ferry who were both interested in meeting Brett there. Brett has never met them and it has been a number of years since his dad has been able to see them, but they were interested in meeting up with Brett, taking him out to eat, and showing their family support.
[Brett called me on Saturday. He arrived in town and was working out his plans for the weekend. He had been hoping to make a detour to check out Washington D.C., but it didn't look like it would work out.]
Brett is now a "Thousand-Miler". Brett has walked over 1,000 miles. One Thousand Miles! That is huge.
Harpers Ferry is the unofficial half-way point of the trail. It is where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters are. Thru-hikers are encouraged to check in and have their photo taken for an album kept there. Although it's not the half-way point in terms of mileage, it is kind of the psychological half-way point.
The true half-way point [1092.1 miles] is coming up in Pennsylvania. Just past the true half-way point hikers can participate in the Half Gallon Challenge at the Pine Grove General Store. Finish a half gallon of ice cream by yourself in one sitting and you get . . . I'm not actually sure--the ice cream for free? a T-shirt? bragging rights? Brett said he didn't think he would have any problem completing the challenge.
[Brett called me on Saturday. He arrived in town and was working out his plans for the weekend. He had been hoping to make a detour to check out Washington D.C., but it didn't look like it would work out.]
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
(Tue. 5/15/12) Front Royal, VA - Phone Update From Brett
Brett made it to Front Royal today. (He kept trying to call it Fort Royale, but it's FRONT Royal.) I had a mail drop sent to a hostel for Brett. The hostel was in the basement of someone's home. Brett said it was nicer than most of the hostels he's stayed in: simple, but nice; clean; one of his favorites so far.
"Buzz Kill" was staying at the shelter as well. It sounds like their pace has been very similar.
He was able to do some laundry, take a shower, and dry off from all the rain he's had. He has walked in wet socks for two days. They just never had a chance to dry out.
The shelter is so nice that Brett was tempted to take a zero day. He will definitely take a shuttle in to town to resupply and maybe go to the library to use the computer and print off some information. (I forgot to send the pages he needed from his A.T. Guide--Bad Hun!)
Brett finished the Shenandoah's today, another milestone for him. Harpers Ferry is about 60 miles away. Brett thinks it will take him about 4 days to get there, so he should arrive sometime this weekend. Between Front Royal and Harpers Ferry Brett will have to hike "The Roller Coaster," thirteen 500-foot hills, up-down-up-down-repeat. Those kind of hikes are known as PUD's: pointless ups and downs.
Everyone says that you can't go through Shenandoah National Park without seeing a bear. Brett heard a bear in camp; he saw bear poop; but he never saw a bear. Other hikers saw a bear. A few asked him, "Hey, did you see that bear back there?" Apparently, Brett just missed it. I'm sure he'll have more opportunities to see a bear along the trail.
I think Brett enjoyed hiking through Shenandoah N.P. There are "waysides" along the way, concession stands where you can resupply as well as get a hot meal (burgers, fries, and a blackberry shake). Apparently, the park is known for their blackberries. They sell blackberry everything: jams, syrups, etc.
On Mother's Day, another hiker encouraged Brett to eat the Sunday brunch at a resort/lodge. It was a fancier restaurant and they were keeping longer hours for the holiday. It ended up being a little more expensive than they expected, because they had a more extensive buffet. Brett said they were serving a pork loin with red cabbage (a traditional German meal) as well as pickled/marinated mushrooms (a traditional Mitchell appetizer). Those foods really tasted good, a reminder of home.
Brett had another funny "homeless" experience. Brett had tented in a grassy city park by the YMCA in Waynesboro. He had set up his tent, picked up his new backpack, emptied the old pack, and left it there for a bit. He picked up his complimentary shower kit (soap, shampoo, etc.) at the YMCA and showered. When he got back to his tent he started packing everything into his new backpack when he saw a few dollar bills in the tent. Brett thought it was kind of odd, but thought maybe he had dropped some bills with all the packing/unpacking. Later, a lady approached him with some grocery bags full of food, books, etc. She said something like, "I'm so glad I saw you. I went home and couldn't stop thinking about. I put these bags together for you. Just thinking of me as your angel. Don't you worry. We've all be there. It'll get better." Poor Brett just didn't what to say. The woman was so sincere in her desire to help homeless-looking Brett that he simply couldn't refuse her. Brett did tell the woman he was hiking the trail. But that made her desire to help just as great; after all, he'll really need all this food to make it to Maine! In the end, Brett took the donations to the YMCA and asked them to donate it to the church that puts the shower kits together for the hikers. Surely they can find someone in greater need than Brett.
I'm sure that Brett was very gracious as he talked with this woman. It's nice to hear about people being kind and generous with no expectation of compensation or reward.
"Buzz Kill" was staying at the shelter as well. It sounds like their pace has been very similar.
He was able to do some laundry, take a shower, and dry off from all the rain he's had. He has walked in wet socks for two days. They just never had a chance to dry out.
The shelter is so nice that Brett was tempted to take a zero day. He will definitely take a shuttle in to town to resupply and maybe go to the library to use the computer and print off some information. (I forgot to send the pages he needed from his A.T. Guide--Bad Hun!)
Brett finished the Shenandoah's today, another milestone for him. Harpers Ferry is about 60 miles away. Brett thinks it will take him about 4 days to get there, so he should arrive sometime this weekend. Between Front Royal and Harpers Ferry Brett will have to hike "The Roller Coaster," thirteen 500-foot hills, up-down-up-down-repeat. Those kind of hikes are known as PUD's: pointless ups and downs.
Everyone says that you can't go through Shenandoah National Park without seeing a bear. Brett heard a bear in camp; he saw bear poop; but he never saw a bear. Other hikers saw a bear. A few asked him, "Hey, did you see that bear back there?" Apparently, Brett just missed it. I'm sure he'll have more opportunities to see a bear along the trail.
I think Brett enjoyed hiking through Shenandoah N.P. There are "waysides" along the way, concession stands where you can resupply as well as get a hot meal (burgers, fries, and a blackberry shake). Apparently, the park is known for their blackberries. They sell blackberry everything: jams, syrups, etc.
On Mother's Day, another hiker encouraged Brett to eat the Sunday brunch at a resort/lodge. It was a fancier restaurant and they were keeping longer hours for the holiday. It ended up being a little more expensive than they expected, because they had a more extensive buffet. Brett said they were serving a pork loin with red cabbage (a traditional German meal) as well as pickled/marinated mushrooms (a traditional Mitchell appetizer). Those foods really tasted good, a reminder of home.
Brett had another funny "homeless" experience. Brett had tented in a grassy city park by the YMCA in Waynesboro. He had set up his tent, picked up his new backpack, emptied the old pack, and left it there for a bit. He picked up his complimentary shower kit (soap, shampoo, etc.) at the YMCA and showered. When he got back to his tent he started packing everything into his new backpack when he saw a few dollar bills in the tent. Brett thought it was kind of odd, but thought maybe he had dropped some bills with all the packing/unpacking. Later, a lady approached him with some grocery bags full of food, books, etc. She said something like, "I'm so glad I saw you. I went home and couldn't stop thinking about. I put these bags together for you. Just thinking of me as your angel. Don't you worry. We've all be there. It'll get better." Poor Brett just didn't what to say. The woman was so sincere in her desire to help homeless-looking Brett that he simply couldn't refuse her. Brett did tell the woman he was hiking the trail. But that made her desire to help just as great; after all, he'll really need all this food to make it to Maine! In the end, Brett took the donations to the YMCA and asked them to donate it to the church that puts the shower kits together for the hikers. Surely they can find someone in greater need than Brett.
I'm sure that Brett was very gracious as he talked with this woman. It's nice to hear about people being kind and generous with no expectation of compensation or reward.
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