Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine

Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness

From Springer Mountain in Georgia, all the way to Mount Katahdin here in Maine, the Appalachian Trail meanders up and down wooded mountains, across flowered fields, in and out of small towns, and through lush valleys. Every year, people of all ages and backgrounds, and for every reason in the book, set out to walk the Appalachian Trail. Some hike only small parts in the area where they live, while others travel to the various states it traverses, hiking bits and pieces at a time. The hearty few who set out to hike the entire trail are known as thru-hikers. Many thru-hikers, having come some 2000 miles from Georgia, are shocked at the difficulty and the remoteness of the last 100 miles of the trail that promises them passage to the final goal, Mount Katahdin.

Upon leaving the small mountain town of Monson, hikers in Maine will find a foreboding sign that warns:

CAUTION:

THERE ARE NO PLACES TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES OR HELP UNTIL YOU REACH ABOL BRIDGE - 90 MILES NORTH. YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT THIS SECTION UNLESS YOU CARRY A MINIMUM OF TEN DAYS SUPPLIES. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTY OF THIS SECTION. GOOD HIKING!

M.A.T.C.

Just behind the sign is a dense forest with an extremely narrow trail slithering off into oblivion. From there, hikers must try to cover ten miles per day along passages where they cross fast running streams, muddy bogs, and must use their hands to climb up rocks and roots. At the end of each day as they fall wearily into their tents or stack themselves into one of the many shelters along the trail, they are often too tired to eat the heavy food in their packs.

Before falling asleep, they must remember to secure their food on a high tree branch to avoid sending an unintentional invitation to wandering bears and raccoons to feast on the precious provisions that will take the hikers to Katahdin.

Experts, seasons thru-hikers, and novices who have unashamedly turned back, all echo the sentiments of the caution sign, and offer a few more helpful hints:

1. Train. Unless you are a thru-hiker who has walked from Georgia with 30 odd pounds on his back, you must train seriously. Walk, run, hike, climb, and do weight training. And as often as possible, carry a 35-40 pound pack on your back. You need the combined training of endurance and strength to hike this section.

2. Invest in lightweight clothing. Avoid cotton at all costs; it will get wet, remain wet, and chafe every inch of your body. Expect to spend some money because good gear is expensive and you get what you pay for. Shoes are the number one item, for if your feet hurt, it's all over. Get Gore-Tex for outerwear, like a rain jacket and hat. Bring thin, long-sleeved shirts and long, light-weight pants made of wicking material. Even invest in wicking underwear if you can. Trust me about the cotton and chafing.

3. Invest in good gear. The lighter the weight, the better. L.L. Bean in nearby Freeport, EMS, REI, Altrec, and many other online stores, can outfit you with all the latest lightweight hiking gear such as stoves, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, tents, water purifiers, and even dehydrated food. And speaking of food...

4. Plan your food. Again, light weight is key. Pack high-energy, light-weight food that is low in sugar, high in protein, and high in fat. This is not the time to be thinking about skimping or cutting back on the fats. Energy bars, jerky, nuts, granola, peanut butter, and of course, freeze-dried or dehydrated meals. You'll rely on water sources along the trail, and you should only drink water that has been filtered or purified.

5. Extra gear.Bring as little as possible. Lightweight, telescoping trekking poles are very helpful. A small, lightweight pocket knife, a basic first aid kit, plastic bags, basic toiletries, and plenty of insect repellant. Black flies are wicked little creatures that feast on human flesh and are plentiful in the summer forests of Northern New England, as are deer flies, horse flies, mosquitoes and ticks.

6. Have a "Plan B".Even the most experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts might run into inclement weather, unusually poor trail conditions, injuries, or just difficulty on the rough terrain combined with heavy packs. Be wise. If you can't make it, get out. It is called the 100-mile wilderness, but there are a couple of escape routes if you simply can't go on. In the first 20 miles or so, the best bet is to simply turn around. About 30 miles into the trail, you'll cross a remote logging road near Gulf Hagas. Take a left here and it will take you into the town of Greenville, about 6-8 miles away. After that, the next exit is another even more remote road, about 30 miles before Katahdin. Consult your maps and let family and friends know where to find you, if necessary.

7. On to Katahdin! Enjoy your hike. The scenery is unmatched, the wildlife prolific, and the final destination is a sight to behold: bold, beautiful Mount Katahdin rising above the landscape like an old friend. It makes it all worth it.