Friday, June 13, 2014

Entering the 100 Mile Wilderness

June 3

Katahdin Stream Campground - Hurd Shelter (13.4 miles)

We all woke up at 6:15 and was on the trail by 7am. We took our time to really take in Maine's beauty. The terrain was pretty flat; although, it was our first day with our heavy packs so we were all feeling pain in our shoulders and hips. We stopped at Big Niagara Falls to soak our feet for a while.

We were loving every minute of our refreshing break but knew we had a long way to go to get to the shelter. We had our first of many stream crossings. I was so scared the current was going to swoop me and pack away and drench all my gear. The boys are so much better at fording, but I'm learning.

We had lunch at Abol Bridge store, which was the last resupply spot before the 100 mile

wilderness. They didn't have much for vegetarians so I munched on chips and chocolate while the boys scarfed down turkey sandwiches. This was were we first met Sky Chicken, a helicopter pilot from Texas. Note in the photo below that Tucker's socks were already standing up from 2 days of hiking. Also note, we were so happy to see that ice cream sign and were crushed when we found out that they didn't have ice cream.

As we headed back on the the trail and entered our way into the 100 mile wilderness, I knew there was no way of turning back. This was it. I saw the first yellow monarch and felt my sister, Lexi give me a great big hug. I was ready for the wilderness. We arrived at Hurd shelter at 4:30pm. The last thing I wrote in my journal that night was "I love being away from society." Haha, the wilderness was about to feed my soul- exactly what it needed.

Quoted the Day: "I guess I'll just sleep on the ground. It's like going back to my childhood."- Chief Badweather stated as his sleeping pad deflated from a hole in it.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

TRAIL UPDATE: Monson, ME

Hi Family + Friends!

Amber, here. I wanted to send out a quick update to let everyone know that we made it through the 100 mile wilderness! Phew. . . what a challenge, but so insanely rewarding. We are at the legendary, Shaw's Hostel right now with our 2 trail friends, Sky Chicken and Fish Flake. The boys are watching Soccer and doing laundry. Dad is going through his first care package from home and I'm uploading our photos while catching up on e-mail. It feels good to be in civilization with clean hair and full bellies (thanks to the Lakeshore House). Spirits are high up here in Monson. We are planning on taking a zero day tomorrow to rest our muscles and celebrate our 2nd AT milestone (1st was reaching Katahdin).

So much has happened in the past week and a half. I'm so excited to share our adventures! We have all kept notes from our 100 mile wilderness trek so I'm going to work on a recap post with pictures after a nap, of course. For now, here is how everyone is feeling.

Tuck has blisters on every toes and lost a total of 5 pounds. Trail name is pending.Luke (Tree Frog) just received the biggest bag of candy from his girlfriend. His beard is growing and turning red. He's lost 3 pounds so far.Stacey (Fire Squirrel) has a busted knee but is happy because he gets to watch soccer. He has lost a total of 14 pounds.Dad (Chief Badweather) is having way to much fun playing in the hiker closet. He found an old army coat and fishing cap to wear out to lunch. He lost a whopping 17 pounds in the wilderness. And I have more bug bites, bruises and scrapes that I've ever had in my life. I've lost 10 pounds, but feel stronger than ever!
More details coming soon, folks!! Thank you all for your encouraging messages. I can't put into words how important they are to us while we are on the trail. They really keep us pressing on.

Sending good vibes to you all!

- Amber

Friday, June 6, 2014

100 Mile Wilderness by Lexi Adams

The name alone, “The 100 Mile Wilderness,” gives you a sense of weight and hesitation; it seems to illuminate for me a understanding of that which is not easy, convenient, or comforting. These four words are something my mind has repeated and thought on often this past week. My dear and adventurous family has left for their journey along the Appalachian Trail, leaving the house, four cats, and a dog, all to my sweet mother and I.

For as long as I can remember my dad has dreamt of this 6 month hike, and it didn't take my sister and brother long to begin dreaming it as well. Since then, my sister's husband and my little cousin have taken on the adventure with them. Now, the time for the 5 of them to leave has finally come as to about a week ago, and here I sit- surrounded by cats, sore from mowing the lawn, and googling the nearest dumpsters for tomorrow's trash duty. Is this a place every college graduate finds themselves in, or is this just me? Regardless, it is safe to say I have launched into a new season of my life, and it is full of lessons.

"The 100 Mile Wilderness" has seemed to be a lesson itself, for me these past few days. This is the northernmost part of the Appalachian Trail, and is currently the section my family is passing through now. If you Google this trek you might find descriptions such as: one of the most remote trails in the United States, uninhabited, seldom traveled, harsh contrasts, and unforgiving to the ill-prepared. Make no mistake about it; this is nature in the raw. This rough and narrow path is surrounded by 15 million acres of inaccessible woodlands- making it a hearty test of their physical strength and commitment within. We are to assume that the average length it'll take our hikers to get through this stretch is around ten days. That is 10 days of no contact all the family back home has with them. This has given my mind free range to think of all the different circumstances they could be in. All in all, I always come back to the question, “how?” How can one want to walk through 100 miles of straight wearying and rigorous wilderness (not to mention- still have over 2,000 miles to go afterwards)?

I have come to believe the answer is found more in not the “how” but the “why.” I am sure there are endless varieties of reasons “why” that have crossed through Maine's wilderness path, but I believe those reasons were the very thing that kept them going: their goal, their focus, their purpose…their reward. The more I think about it, I realize this is a question we can all ask ourselves; perhaps we are all walking, or being called, to a 100 Mile Wilderness. We may not be asked, “What are you walking for,” but more so “what are you living for?”

This is a question I find that constantly points me to my Light. As for myself, I see my purpose here on this earth to glorify my creator- by loving Him and loving His people. It is in His midst that I find my hope, perseverance, and worth. Therefore, as I go through “100 miles of wilderness,” whether it be a day's worth or a month, a heavy burden or light affliction, my purpose remains, pushing me forward. I think of how beautiful and thrilling the end of this stretch is going to be for my hikers; how rejuvenated and encouraged they will be to move on; and how thankful and satisfied they will be with what was accomplished. Just like the sun must die in the west if it is to rise in the east, we must endure to receive the reward in full. You hear the analogy all the time; let us not forget the climb up the mountain is what sets us on it's top.

One of the boldest things Christ taught us on the cross was that suffering is directly linked to glory. Is it possible this is just the thought we have forgotten? Hardship, even the smallest scale of it- waiting, discomfort, setbacks, disruptions, or whatever may not seem to line up with our wishes- we want none of it. We then are left only to find ourselves short of what we once saw lying ahead, no closer to our pursuit, and at a standstill of believing above our fears.

My family is walking right now, through what many of us choose not to tolerate, for we look at it as an inconvenient. Therefore, I have learned from them this week, to pinpoint my wilderness and walk- looking at it only as the path to my reward.

Hold tight to what is coming, pursue it passionately, and believe far above what you may fear.

I can walk through the wilderness, but it takes a steady fixing of my gaze on the cross- what I am living for.

-Lexi Adams

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Images from: backpacker.com

Monday, June 2, 2014

Climbing Mount Katahdin

June 1

Getting to Baxter State Park

Today we woke up bright and early to catch our shuttle. We said good bye to the modern world as we entered into Baxter State Park. We were all pretty tired from the previous day of travel. Luke and Tuck slept most of the way until we woke them up screaming when we saw a moose on the side of the road.

We stopped to get fuel at a shop that had mainly hunting and fishing supplies. I couldn't help but feel disgusted as I looked around at all of the animals mounted on the walls. Then "BAM!" I hear this loud popping sound. I thought a gun or firecracker went off. Nope, it was just Luke. He sat on a plastic table that he thought was a stool and cracked it. Whoopsie.

Once we got to Katahdin Stream Campsite, which would be base camp for the next 2 nights, we signed the first of many trail registers and spent the rest of the day taking in beautiful Maine.

June 2
Sumitting Katahdin, Baxter Peak (10.4 miles)

Stacey, Tucker, Luke and myself woke up to "see you guys on the trail" at 4am. Dad couldn't sleep from the excitement. He was eager to get on the trail and climb the mountain that he has waited nearly 40 years to climb. Stacey's competitiveness immediately went into first gear. He was packed and pulling me up the trail before I could get my pants on. And if you know me at all you understand that I am not a morning person...at all. Tucker and Luke quickly met up with us. Those guys are like lightening. We were about 1 mile in and I started to feel my clothes become damp with sweat. Then my breathing became heavy and I could feel my heart beating in my ears. I was trying so hard to keep up with the boys but had to stop and take a breather. By the time we caught up with Dad I was pale, nauseous and on the verge of fainting. That's when I learned first hand the importance of "hiking your own hike." The combination of not enough sleep or food and pushing myself to hard had led me into a hiking nightmare. I prayed so hard that I would make it up and down the mountain safely. Thankfully, I was surround with my family. Stacey literally pushed and pulled me up the mountain. I could feel our marriage becoming stronger. I starting feeling better right as we got to this beautiful waterfall. I felt the mist hit my face and said to myself "you can do this."

It's insane how much of this journey has been mind over body. We have overcome pain countless times just by being positive and determined. I am amazed at how strong and powerful the human mind can be.

The terrain up to Baxter Peak was tough and technical. There was still places with thick ice!

And miles of bouldering!

This was taken during one of our many false summits. Each time we thought we reached the top and quickly realized we had MORE boulders to climb.

Ah! This was so exciting for me. My favorite writer and naturalist, Henry David Thoruea hiked Katahdin in 1846 and had a spring named after him.

Tuck and Luke got to the top of Katahdin at 8am. Stacey and I sumitted at 9:30am and Dad was right behind us.

The only thing that was missing was the rest of our family. I wish they and everyone could experience this view for themselves.

It was the coolest feeling I've ever had. I've never in my life felt so light and free.

This was the beggining of our thruhike adventure.

After thanking God for creating such a beautiful place and asking him to keep our families safe he revealed himself in the most spectacular ray of sunlight. Our skin was tingling and our hearts were bursting with accomplishment as we trekked down the mountain.

It was a fun, interesting trip down. I may have led us down the wrong way at some point. And Dad may have done the plank between 2 boulders.

Quote of the Day: "It's fun to have fun." - Chief Badweather