Quoddy

Congratulations, Ken

The AT itself has no restrictions, but depends upon the area through which it goes. The regulations vary greatly from one area/state/WMA/NP to another. If memory serves me, Harriman's restrictions technically limit the distance from an established trail to a maximum of 20'. The idea being that it eleminates social trails beyond that point. I welcome updates or corrections to what I've just stated if not correct.

CONGRATULATIONS to one of my favorite cache hiders.

The incline in the top picture is the climb (going southbound) to the top of Camel's Hump which I hope to reach by day nine or ten. The other is the climb up toward the top of Mount Manfield (highest mountain in Vermont) which I should reach around day seven. From what I've gathered there are some very scary narrow ledges and other obsticles in the same area. I had my first disappointment today when I weighed the five day food supplies and fuel needed for three stretches (the other resupplies are for three days and are for several spots in the high mountains). It was almost three pounds above my original highest estimate which may mean that I'll have to switch packs. The weight with my gear, food, fuel, and water will put me just above the 22 pounds I was hoping for. The other pack will handle the weight much better, but on it's own is 2 pounds heavier than the original. I will be leaving home on the 30th and be dropped off at the access trail. I'll then hike the couple of miles and 2000' elevation gain to near the starting point on the Quebec border late that afternoon. The next morning I'll be starting the actual Long Trail. Whenever service is available from on top of the mountains I'll be sending journal entries and photos via Blackberry. My biggest concern of the entire hike is blisters. I've got to take it really slow in the northern half, stay rested, alert, and strong... and most of all have fun.

Check out the Aircrash 1 and Aircrash 3 sites when everyone has had a chance to log. Some shots can't be shown because of giving away the virtual information. BTW, you may not see many shots of the very steep section since I think everyone had other thoughts on their minds... like just making it. It's a great cache and day out.

Great Day... Great Caches... Great Company. Thanks for organizing this one, Brian.

Once again, Brian, Congratulations. Really glad that I could be there for this one and the great day with the "Aircrash Expedition" members.

I'll be there in the morning. I couldn't resist the opportunity to get an extra bit of training for my upcoming thru hike. I'll be carrying a pack with gear and supplies for at least an overnight.

That's part of the trail which is (normally) the decent off of the "forehead" of Mount Mansfield (elevation 4393'). In my case heading southbound, I'll be going up this portion. A photo from up on top of Mount Mansfield:

I'll be alone. This will be the first time, ever, that the REAL Quoddy and I have been separated for more than two days. It's going to be a real difficulty. Here's a couple of photos that show some of the obsticles that a dog would face. A few have done it, but in the north it isn't easy.

The brief impasses is OVER. Agreement was reached Monday evening.

I think you meant The Long Path. The Long Trail runs from Quebec to Williamstown, MA. Sounds like a good trek. It's a busy time for me, but I'll see if I can fit it in and let you know.

The Long Trail runs from Quebec to Williamstown, Massachusetts (near the Vermont Border). That's where I'm stopping. Thanks for the offer, though.

Ahhh... you picked a relatively easy stretch (done most of it before). It is a nice, remote area though. My best guess for arrival at Stratton is sometime close to August 21st or 22nd, but it's a bit early to tell. Lots of variables, i.e., weather, me, and if I make a major stop off at Rutland to enjoy the first annual "Long Trail Festival", which just happens to coincide with the time I'm passing closest. (email coming your way)

I sure would. Moral support in the north would be especially welcome. Any particular spot in mind... like Camel's Hump? Here's part of an email I received today: "Quoddy, A friend & I just hiked from Jay Pass to Journey's End. He was doing his last section of the LT, I was doing my first. All I can say is: Wow! That trail is tough. When the guide says "steep," it means it."

Thanks everyone. Note that I'll be hitting the trail at the Quebec border very late in the day on July 30th or at first light on the 31st. I decided to do the trail North to South instead of normal South to North. This will give the bulk of the early August AT thru hikers the chance to clear the area. I'd originally wanted to do it South to North since the southern portion has fewer really high mountains and it would give me the opportunity to build up to the spectacular north. Anyway, I'm hitting the very frequent and difficult "biggies" early in the trek. It will be "make or break" time. BTW, Harry, you might see in the journal that I've already done the area you mentioned. I'll be re-doing all the stretches in the south that I've previously done. I live only 15 to 20 minutes from the southern terminus of the LT (AT), so will be close to home at the finish. Starting right at the Quebec border marker and ending in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Getting to, and exiting from these points adds almost 10 miles to the hike.

Congratulations, Claire. I certainly hope that you were bushwhacking at the time.

Congratulations, jonboy. It was great doing many of your fine mountaintop caches with you. Maybe that's what inspired me to begin doing more long range hiking (at the expense of geocaching) during the past year.

Congratulations! Great to have done some of them with you.

CONGRATULATIONS! I still remember The Hiker Series (+2) that we did. It was that day that converted me to Garmin.

Congratulations, Rusty.

Congratulations, Gerry. Why do I always think of rose gardens when I see your name?

Congratulations, Maggie. See you in a few weeks at GeoJamboree 5.

Congratulations, Laura.

After discussing the non-receipt of the 4 Cornish geocoins that I had bought and paid for, I was left with the answer that it was MY problem and I should try to track them down through the US Postal Service. The idea that they MAY have been mailed from Canada is just wonderful, but the fact that they were not received is not quite so wonderful. That's a considerable amount of money in anyone's currency. I guess when corners are cut to save shipping costs for the shipper this is what happens to the end buyer.