Georgia to Maine - - Please join me from start (4/1) to finish (8/10) - 132 days!!!!!

Bethlehem, NH
I have completed my thru-hike of the AT from Georgia to Maine; I started 4/1 and completed 8/10/10. I decided to do this thru-hike in memory of my brother Michael and in turn decided to turn it into a fundraiser. All money raised went to the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country which gives year-round opportunities in sports and recreation to people with physical or developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I got involved with this program because it allows us to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors like we do and my brother Michael did. Michael was born mentally challenged, and he loved to visit us in the North Country of NH and go hiking. He also loved the outdoors and did many other sports. So, to help others do this and other outdoor activities is a TRIBUTE to him, and an HONOR to us. Many of you have helped me along my journey and donated (follow donation link) directly to a secure website. All donations have gone and WILL CONTINUE to go to ASPNC – nonprofit org to help assist others to hike, ski, kayak, snow shoe..etc… Thank you all in advance for your kindness & generosity, Dave & Pam Smith

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Thursday 6/24-THANK YOU RON & SUE

Slept very well. Sat and played w/Emma(little pug dog) and all the other animals. Had a nice breakfast and then cleaned things up and took his time packing up his gear. He was in no rush as Sue didn't need to be to work till afternoon. They headed out to the drug store to get him a lightweight knee brace and some other supplies at the grocery store.

Sue dropped him off at the trail head and said see you for hiking on Saturday am. Since Dave will still be in the area and Sue doesn't need to work, they will be able to meet back up and hike.

Wants to thank Sue and Ron for all their hospitality. Greatly appreciated.

Ponytail wasn't out long on his 85th day when he started seeing the sights, Fitzgerald Falls(25 ft tall waterfall), Mombasha High Point (a spot where you can see the NYC skyline and the Empire State building),Little Dam Lake, wooden truss bridges, hemlock groves, Arden Mnt, Buchanan Mnt, crossed over Trout Brook via a wooden bridge, the lemon squeezer(a series of boulders that you need to go between), lots of jumbled rocks on steeps...

He was about 2hrs into his trip today when he got drowned. The skies opened up, yet once again. Oh, boy did the rain come down. It seemed to make it more humid if that was possible. Things got slippery. He ended of taking his 1st major tumble down some of the steep rocks. He fell sideways. He twisted his right foot between some of the rocks and got some bruises on his arms. Just said he lost his footing on the slippery rocks. He is ok, just banged up a bit.

Things turned around a bit later, he got some trail magic to brighten his day from Paddy-o (thru-hiker of 2004). He gave Ponytail some gatorades and some chocolate covered donuts.

He stopped at the Fingerbaord Shelter to make his dinner. This is a 1928 stone shelter. He knows water has been scarce so he carried some extra to get him through the night. He didn't want to use his good drinking water to make dinner so he found a good size puddle and boiled the heck out of the water and that is how he made his dinner.

After dinner, PTD had some more energy and decided to put on a few more miles. He traveled near Seven Lakes Dr and set up camp for the night. He said it was too hot to sleep in his sleeping bag, so he just slept on his sleeping pad in the tent. He so wanted to leave the rain fly off but, didn't want to chance it in case it rained overnight.

Traveled 16.1 miles today  
Fitzgeral Falls
Lemon Squeezer
Posted by Dave Smith (Smitty) at 6/27/2010

1 comment:

  1. Withu Inspirit28/6/10

    does the trail go thru the lemon squeezer?? how do you manage that with your backback?..as always, happy thoughts your way...

    ReplyDelete

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