Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

Mt. Washington, NH to Mt. Katahdin, Maine

Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail

(Part 8)

Dates ........ Monday, August 26, 2002
Miles ........ 12.5 miles
From ........ Tent Camp - South Arm Road Black Brook
To ............. Bemis Stream Tentsite.
Weather ... 50 degF clear breezy AM, sunny 80's, humid later in day.

Monday, August 26, 2002

Old Blue Mt. 3600', Elephant Mt. 3325', Bemis Mt. 3592', Bemis 3rd peak ~3120', 2nd peak ~2875', 1st peak ~2600', Bemis stream.

It was a steep 2200', rugged climb starting up Old Blue Mt. at 7:00 AM. The top of the mountain - the last 800 feet up and down - was very steep and rocky. Then it was one series of climbs and descents over the four unmarked peaks of Bemis Mt. and, finally, down into the valley and Bemis stream. As the day progressed, it got more warm and humid, reaching to the upper 80's, making climbing very difficult and unpleasant.

I met a retired priest and senior citizen - P (Pete) Harley as well as Pa Kettle, Disco and a bunch of slack packers. I wish I had slack packed. Carrying a very light pack with just a day's water and food in it was very appealing now.

In the valley at Bemis stream I set up camp next to Sly. I found a pocket of water about 10 inches deep and bathed in it. The icy cold water was very refreshing and it felt so good to be clean again. Semi Pro and Woodstock passed by and went on, continuing to hike after we stopped for the day. Ah, the energy of youth!

AT crosses a very low Beemis Stream.

Tired, I had no problem falling sound asleep at dusk.

Daily Journal Entries

~ Journal Part 8 ~

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
08/21/02 08/23/02 08/24/02
09/01/02 09/02/02 09/03/02 09/04/02 09/05/02 09/06/02 09/07/02
09/08/02 09/09/02 09/10/02 09/11/02 09/12/02 09/13/02 09/14/02

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Spring/Fall hikes - 15 miles/day - Contact Al. aljohn@jmclum.com.
Last Updated 12/26/02