Kevin's AT Thru Hike

Day 122, Saturday, 7/16 – I started my hike this morning at 7:30am. I really only had one tough climb for the day, and I hit it first thing in the morning. I climbed up Stratton Mountain, then went to the top of the fire tower. Again there was a great 360 degree view from the top of the tower.

I’ve officially hiked 3/4 of the way to Katahdin. So, I only have to do once more what I’ve done 3 times already.

I hiked about 16 miles by 2:00pm. I wasn’t expecting it, but Dog Fish and Birthday were waiting for me at the road into Manchester! Dog Fish offered to make me a ramen, but I was too hot from the hike to eat hot soup. I did take her up on some meat sticks and a Red Bull though. We all hung out in the parking lot for a minute before Dog Fish dropped Birthday and I off at the laundromat in Manchester.

I didn’t have any loaner clothes, but Dog Fish lent me a towel. I just wore a towel and a rain jacket while I was doing laundry in the laundromat. Birthday was only wearing a ground sheet. Somehow he still managed to make a few friends.

The laundromat was next door to a donut shop, and the owner came by and dropped off a few donuts. I guess thats considered “laundromat magic” and not trail magic.

When we finished up with laundry, we headed over to the grocery store to resupply. There was a grassy area in the shade next to the store, so we posted up there as we got food.

Genie and Splitzy finished their hike and got dropped off at the store as I was shopping. I picked up some fresh fruit and we all ate watermelon, grapes, and carrots in the grass.

We then headed over to a burger joint and got dinner. It was getting late so we started talking about getting back on trail. The lady sitting next to us, Gamera, overheard our conversation, and offered to give us a ride back.

We got on trail and hiked to a stealth spot near Bromley Brook (Mile 1655). There was originally talk of hiking further, but I didn’t want to night hike without a headlamp. Genie and Splitzy also weren’t keen on hiking the extra miles. Birthday went on another 2 miles to catch up with some friends at the top of Bromley Mountain.