AT May 2019 hiking trip from Bigelow to almost Kennebec River (Caratunk)

[Udar Gromov]

My next section of Appalachian Trail hike should have been between remote point off Caribou Rd off route 4/27 and Caratunk in Maine (after the Kennebec river ferry). To simplify logistics, I cut both ends and decided to go in opposite direction from Pierce Pond to route 4/27 – about 30 miles stretch.

Planning and Preparations:
– next range was a challenging 30-mile hike through Bigelow mountains and multiple lakes
– buy Merrill waterproof shoes and Keen open sneakers
– first use of walking stick bought in Rawdon, QC (Canada) during fasting in December 2018
– take 2 days before long weekend (THU and FRI) and one day after (TUE)
– buy Columbia convertible hiking pants at REI
– 18 mi test bike ride to prepare joints and knees in Boston area

Day-by-Day Reference:
TH 05-23 04:46 Boston – drive 232 mi to AT on 4/27, Maine – bike 29.5 mi – hike 0.7 mi
FR 05-24 Pierce Pond Lean-to 1,167′ – hike 10.8 mi
SA 05-25 West Carry Pond Lean-to 1,311′ – hike 8.5 mi
SU 05-26 Little Bigelow Lean-to 1,801′ – hike w/o backpack 5.4 x 2 mi – first snow
MO 05-27 Little Bigelow Lean-to – hike 11 mi through two 4,000′ peaks with heavy snow
TU 05-28 Horns Pond Lean-to 3,151′ – hike 5.6 mi, drive 29.4 to bike, drive 251.5 mi

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