Good Spirits and Still Climbing

It's been way too long since the last update. The guys made it to Monson last Saturday where Dale went to seek medical attention for his cuts. Their plan was to spend two nights in Monson to rest up before the final week of hiking. Thank goodness, since Dale needed the extra day to make sure that the antibiotic didn't play havoc with his system. Both guys needed the time to rest in a "real" bed.

They called before they headed out on Tuesday morning for their final week. Ben said that he was trying to get his mind ready for seven more days. We talked about how difficult it must be for through hikers to keep on track when they hike for six months. They Ben was ready to get moving. Dale was doing much the same. He was more worried about the logistics, hiking the last 100 miles in seven days.

They were able to call me on Tuesday afternoon. It was about 4:30 p.m. They had hiked about 15 miles up a mountain and had about another mile before they were going to call it a day. They had another long day up another mountain on Wednesday . . . it was going to be 17 miles. The maps say that after Wednesday their hiking will be realatively flat.

I will meet them at Baxter State Park on Tuesday morning at 5:00 a.m. to hike the last eight miles. That is four miles up the mountain to 4000 feet above sea level and four miles down. I have had a very busy summer, that has not included getting in shape so I told them they were going to have to slow down and wait for me. We'll have to see how it goes. At any rate, even if they smoke me on the trail, I will get to see the joy of completion. I am very proud of them and can't wait to see them achieve their goal!!!