Mike, Steve, Marjo and John near Monson.
September 2, 1981 -Breakneck Ridge Shelter to Monson Hostel ‘Shaws’-
Left Breakneck Ridge lean-to at 7:15 a.m. We had a very big fire the night before. Steve Robinson and Marjo were
here also. We hiked hard and fast into Monson, staying at the old church. This place is an actual old church turned
into a hostel for hikers. It is very nice and only $4.00 a night. I got mail at the Post office. I got my belt buckle from
the Appalachian Trail Conference and afterwards we all went out and had supper. I had a steak hoagie and a
vegetarian hoagie. Over all I ate very good in this my last town before victory!!!! At grocery store nearby I bought
$34.00 worth of food for my pack and I wait for daylight. On we go. 144 mile to go after today.
September 3, 1981 -- Monson at ‘Shaws’ to Long Pond Lean-to to-
Left Monson at 8:00 a.m. Steve and I walked together all day. We made excellent time on the roads out of town.
Did our miles by 2:00 p.m. and even stopped by a large stream and soaked our feet in it. We stayed at Long Pond
Lean-to (stream). From this point until we all finished at Katahdin these people stayed at the same shelter every
night. Steve R. Marjo J. Chris M., John G. and Mike R. Nothing will ever separate the bond which we received from
each other this last week of walking. Through hikers who know what is important in life!! First day out of the last
town on the last week to Katahdin!!!!!
September 4, 1981 - Long Pond Lean-to to Chairback Gap Lean-to-
Left shelter at 7:15 a.m. and went 11 hard miles to Chairback Gap lean-to. Hum drum day of walking. Hazy day with
no good views. May see the big “K” tomorrow. (Katahdin) Marjo, Steve, Chris and John are here too. “go for it”
Left Breakneck Ridge lean-to at 7:15 a.m. We had a very big fire the night before. Steve Robinson and Marjo were
here also. We hiked hard and fast into Monson, staying at the old church. This place is an actual old church turned
into a hostel for hikers. It is very nice and only $4.00 a night. I got mail at the Post office. I got my belt buckle from
the Appalachian Trail Conference and afterwards we all went out and had supper. I had a steak hoagie and a
vegetarian hoagie. Over all I ate very good in this my last town before victory!!!! At grocery store nearby I bought
$34.00 worth of food for my pack and I wait for daylight. On we go. 144 mile to go after today.
September 3, 1981 -- Monson at ‘Shaws’ to Long Pond Lean-to to-
Left Monson at 8:00 a.m. Steve and I walked together all day. We made excellent time on the roads out of town.
Did our miles by 2:00 p.m. and even stopped by a large stream and soaked our feet in it. We stayed at Long Pond
Lean-to (stream). From this point until we all finished at Katahdin these people stayed at the same shelter every
night. Steve R. Marjo J. Chris M., John G. and Mike R. Nothing will ever separate the bond which we received from
each other this last week of walking. Through hikers who know what is important in life!! First day out of the last
town on the last week to Katahdin!!!!!
September 4, 1981 - Long Pond Lean-to to Chairback Gap Lean-to-
Left shelter at 7:15 a.m. and went 11 hard miles to Chairback Gap lean-to. Hum drum day of walking. Hazy day with
no good views. May see the big “K” tomorrow. (Katahdin) Marjo, Steve, Chris and John are here too. “go for it”
| Gulf Hagus Wilderness area, Chris Miller in Water |
September 5, 1981 -Chairback Gap Lean-to to White Cap Lean-to-
Left Chairback lean-to early (7:15 a.m.) Finally after many hard miles in Main I hit some easy hiking. We made it to
Gulf Hagas side trail and got some of the best views of waterfalls yet on the A.T. I took pictures of Chris Miller and
Jon G. swimming. This water was ice cold and I washed my face in it but did not swim in it. When Chris got out of the
water he shook for fifteen minutes. He was even a little bluish. After spending an hour at the waterfalls I headed for
the A.T. again and saw my first BLACK BEAR of the whole trip. Three of them! It was an incredible sight. Also I saw
a varmint like a weasel, only bigger. A marmot maybe or a fisher. I made it to White Cap Lean-to. No more major
climbs till the big “K”. Oh, by the way, I saw that damn big mountain for the first time today. A very eventful day to
say the least.
September 6, 1981 -White Cap Lean-to to Cooper Brook Lean-to-
Left White Cap lean-to early. Today again I saw two more black bear. Easier walking today. A lot of tote roads.
Made it to Cooper Brook lean-to. This shelter had a great swimming hole
right out in front of it and the whole was deep too. We all jumped in and had a BLAST!!! The chosen five are here
tonight. Steve, John, Marjo, Chris, and I are here.
Left Chairback lean-to early (7:15 a.m.) Finally after many hard miles in Main I hit some easy hiking. We made it to
Gulf Hagas side trail and got some of the best views of waterfalls yet on the A.T. I took pictures of Chris Miller and
Jon G. swimming. This water was ice cold and I washed my face in it but did not swim in it. When Chris got out of the
water he shook for fifteen minutes. He was even a little bluish. After spending an hour at the waterfalls I headed for
the A.T. again and saw my first BLACK BEAR of the whole trip. Three of them! It was an incredible sight. Also I saw
a varmint like a weasel, only bigger. A marmot maybe or a fisher. I made it to White Cap Lean-to. No more major
climbs till the big “K”. Oh, by the way, I saw that damn big mountain for the first time today. A very eventful day to
say the least.
September 6, 1981 -White Cap Lean-to to Cooper Brook Lean-to-
Left White Cap lean-to early. Today again I saw two more black bear. Easier walking today. A lot of tote roads.
Made it to Cooper Brook lean-to. This shelter had a great swimming hole
right out in front of it and the whole was deep too. We all jumped in and had a BLAST!!! The chosen five are here
tonight. Steve, John, Marjo, Chris, and I are here.
Head out of a toilet
The toilet had not been used in
years and was on its side. I just
crawled up in it and had the
picture taken.
The toilet had not been used in
years and was on its side. I just
crawled up in it and had the
picture taken.
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