Week 22 of the Appalachian Trail

Week 22 of the Appalachian Trail includes day 145 through day 153. I took two zeros this week on days 149 and 150 because I enjoyed the human nature hostel so much lol. You’ll start the week on Day 145 at the Imp campsite, it’s just 8 miles to Libby’s barn which I would call a Nero lol. First 4K peak of the day is Mount Moriah! You can see for miles up there. You can spot all the peaks from the previous two days. You’ll reach the 300 miles to go point, then into Gotham, NH. I didn’t get any recordings of it but Libby’s barn hostel was great! Got resupplied and got in an argument with some other hikers about snoring! People take snoring so personal! lol.
Day 146, back to the trail with 17 miles to Carlo Col shelter! First you’ll see the Androscoggin River dam. You’ll the 1900 miles point, or should I say 2-3 of the 1900 miles points. Sometimes people make extra ones if they don’t see the one that was there before.
Which is near Mount Hayes. Next, you’ll pass by the edge of Page Pond. Go over Mount Success with a good views! Next is the state line between NH and Maine! That marks only 282 miles to Mount Katahdin! Trail is pretty easy to Carlo Col shelter after that.
Day 147, you’ll notice I slept a bit and started after the sun had been up a bit. Only 14.2 miles to Bear River for the day. Several small peaks that morning up to Goose Eye west peak with beautiful 360 degree views! Next is Goose Eye east peak. You’ll go through a couple bogs and Maine mud. Again, very good to have gortex shoes when going through low water and mud. You’ll go over a couple more small peaks, then down allot into Mahoosuc notch where you’ll do allot of boulder hopping. If you’re under 5’3”, you might have some difficulty making some of the jumps. Just be careful and climb down then back up the next rock. Also, lots of tight squeezes that aren’t easy if you’re a bigger person. Then you’ll see the beautiful Speck Pond. There is a camp site right by the pond, which I skipped. Then at the top of old speck there is an observation tower with amazing views, perfect for sunsets and the next morning sunrise. But since I was almost out of water, you’ll see that I continued down to Bear River and set up camp in the dark by the river. Love the sound of water at night.
Day 148, set off early because you’ll see that we’ve got 19.9 miles to South Arm road creek for the camp to get picked up the next day for the Human Nature Hostel. So, long trek today over several peaks. Got a good vid of a Spruce Grouse that didn’t run when I walked by. Several clearings, bogs and walking on rock slabs. Lots of walking straight up mountains because Maine doesn’t do switch backs. Just keep looking for the cairns! You’ll go over Baldpate east peak and west peak. You’ll go by Surplus Pond. Over Hall mountain, where you’ll catch the sunset and continue on in the dark for 4 more miles through Sawyer Notch and set up camp just before South Arm road.
Day 149, wake up early for pick up on the road by Human Nature hostel and get served a pancake breakfast. Lounged around most of the day, did laundry, resupplied, and served dinner as well. This is Zero day!
Day 150, this hostel is so chill, I took another Zero day and relaxed all day! Plus, it was rain cats and dogs!
Day 151, back on the trail! Got dropped off the morning for a 17 mile day to Sabbath day pond shelter!
Old blue mountain is the first decent peak of the day. Of course, all fogged out so can’t see anything. Next peak is Bemis mountain. Still rainy and foggy. You’ll see Long pond and get some great pics with the mirrored overcast sky! Then camp right by Sabbath day pond for more great pics even though no sunset.
Day 152, start the morning with sunrise by the pond and trek 9.4 miles to ME Route 4. Mostly flat, pass by South pond, then to ME Route 4 right by the Sandy River.
Day 153, long day, started early because you’ll see that it’s 18.7 miles today to the Spaulding Mountain lean to. Start by the Sandy River, then come to the Ethel Pond. Several more ponds to include Eddy pond as you go up into the alpine zone. Then climb the peak of Saddleback Mountain (another 4k). Next The Horn which is another 4K. You’ll meet Rabbit, a flip-flop thru hiker that started on January 30, 2022. I stopped at 1977 miles and made a little marker for it lol! Then stop for lunch on the back side of saddleback Junior! Continue to poplar ridge, cross Orberton stream which is right beside the Schloss Brook logging road. Decent place to camp. Over lone mountain and then Spaudling mountain for a decent sunset!
Again, not much wildlife, it’s still super hot during the day and the peaks are high, most of the wildlife doesn’t come up to the peaks but stays near the bottoms where the water is. I did see a couple large birds, snakes, and one more bear that I missed on my phone.
Rabbit and Happer were the only two thru hikers in this video. I mainly hiked alone because I had already experienced the Tramily life.

[@matthewwollert3531]

Awesome!!!!!👏

[@Juvie83]

That hostel looks dope

[@tythetraveler]

@@Juvie83 it’s one of my favorites on the whole AT