Monson, ME 2079.8 (0 miles, 1,054.4 total miles)
I had a natural wake up at 6AM this morning, which was much nicer than waking up with my alarm. Second Wind and a couple other hikers were packing up by then to hike out.
Breakfast was at 7AM, and I made my way downstairs shortly before. I got a cup of coffee and hung out with Second Wind and a few other hikers.
Two of the hikers were southbound flip flopping, and had a very sweet Jack Russell hiking with them, with the trail name Burrito, who sat on my lap for quite a while.
I heard a rumor there was 36 people signed up for breakfast. I wanted to give those who were hiking out today a chance to eat first, so we didn’t mill into the dining area till around 7:30, when people were starting to be done eating.
We were served eggs over easy, bacon strips, home fries, and delicious blueberry pancakes. Maine was definitely giving me a new appreciation for everything blueberry.
I saw Trash was working at the hostel. I was surprised to see him, knowing he was far ahead of me. We’d been near each other for a few days in the Whites.
Trash got his name from picking up any garbage he sees on the trail, which I try to do as well and respect a lot. He told me he’d finished his NOBO hike and had come back to work at the hostel for a couple weeks. It was great to see him and catch up.
It seemed like Shaw’s employed a few people beyond ownership, and I had spoken with Poet briefly about openings next year. Hambone was another person working there, and he spent all of his time hiking trails and working seasonal jobs to fund his hikes. It sounded ideal to me.
After breakfast, it was time to tackle my resupply. I had an itinerary already that I’d made the day before, so I took inventory of what I had and made a list of what I needed.
At the resupply store on premises, I learned I needed a couple days less food than I thought I did because there are resupply options at Abol, which is the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness.
That, plus finding out the food drop actually costs $85, convinced me to suck it up and do a five day food carry through the 100 miles.
I did my shopping, racked up $118 of food, and went up to the bunkhouse to organize. For the first time on this trip, I separated all my days into gallon ziploc bags so I could ration my food.
As always when I resupply, it felt like both too much food and not enough all at once. I wasn’t entirely sure it would all fit into my Ursack, but was able to get four of the days to just fit, and the rest of the food I’d eat the first day.
I packed my bag, got a new pack liner, two new Smart Water bottles, and got rid of any little extra weight I could. Washed my dishes, worked on getting my electronics charged, and all the normal stuff I need to do when I make a stop.
It was hot in the bunkhouse, and I was feeling like I earned a break. So I took a shower and changed into a beautiful white dress that I found in the town clothes. Town clothes are definitely one of my favorite parts of staying at a hostel.
I had most of my chores done by then, so I indulged in an episode of Stranger Things while I ate a delicious spinach salad I’d gotten at the general store down the road.
I called my mom and gave her the rundown for my plans up to and after Katahdin, though the call dropped several times on the overloaded Wi-Fi with so many hikers getting things done.
Legz, Rude and Daddy Long Legz had arrived earlier in the day, and I took some time to chat with them. They were planning on finishing the 27th, so I probably wouldn’t see them after today, but I was really happy to have an opportunity to now.
Rude was flip flopping, so wouldn’t get to Harpers Ferry till after me, but anything was possible that we might see each other down south.
I was pleased that I had also met Pegasus today, the last member of the Cult that I hadn’t met before. I also met Pounder, a NOBO, and Translator, a SOBO. Pounder and I spent some time giving Translator the run down on hostels and resupply places coming up for him.
I got ice cream with Pounder, Pegasus, and the couple with the little dog, Danny and Wired, who let me bring Burrito back to the hostel while they took care of an errand.
After that, I hung by the fire that someone had started with more than a dozen other hikers. Poet joined as well, and told us stories of Shaw’s from before he and Hippie Chick took over. There were also a few good jokes told, and a very funny magic trick.
I turned in around 9:30, and spent some time meditating before drifting off to sleep. It had been a good zero, and I felt as prepared and rested as I could be for the 100 Mile Wilderness. I was nervous, but ready to close this first chapter of my hike.