Скачать или смотреть 70 Day AT Thru-Hike: Pinkham Notch to Poplar Ridge Lean-to

My family dropped me off at Pinkham Notch at 7 am on Day 61. I was glad to have slept inside that night as it rained all night and was still raining in the morning. I knew a difficult day was ahead. A moose and calf, my only of the trip, welcomed me just a few hundred yards into the day. The trail continues south (the wrong way!) for about a mile before the ridiculously steep climb to the Wildcats. I remembered this climb well from my 2017 section hike and knew it would be treacherous in these wet conditions.

I slowly picked my way through the Wildcats and Carters. Fortunately, the sun came out by mid-morning and made the descents more forgiving than they would have been if wet. I enjoyed fine views of the Presidentials to my left and Maine to the right. I finally made it down the easier terrain and soon the road. The previous night, I stashed my heavy food bag at the Rattle River Hostel and took only rations for the day. The hostel is directly on the trail, so I grabbed it that evening, enjoyed a few fleeting moments of R and R, then headed down the road, back into the woods, and set up camp for the night.

I was moving before first light on Day 62. This proved to be an absolutely exhausting day. The steep climbs and descents were relentless. The Whites may be over after the Wildcat Range, but the difficult terrain continues. I scrambled over alpine rocks and hoisted myself up rebar and ladders. Fortunately, the sun was out and the views were outstanding. I cross the border into Maine that afternoon; I had hiked from Georgia to Maine, but there were still 282 miles to go.

The Mahoosuc Notch welcomes NOBO hikers to Maine. This is known as the AT's most difficult mile as you must scramble over, around, under, and between boulders the size of houses. Blazes painted on the rocks only roughly guide the way. I had to take my pack off twice and push it through narrow openings to make it through. Snow and ice persist well into July and makes the Notch nice and cool. I dispute this claim as the "toughest" mile. The Moosilauke Descent, Wildcat Climb, and Osgood Ridge are worse for NOBOs. The Mahoosuc Arm offers no respite immediately after the Notch. This is an incredibly steep climb, gaining 1,300' in a mile.

I hiked around the pristine Goose Pond, and up and over Old Speck to a stealth campsite promised by Guthook that I had trouble finding in the fading light. I pitched my tent more or less directly on the trail in the first practical spot I saw. I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open as I tried to write my daily IG post.

I was hiking by 4:30 on Day 63. I had easier terrain down Old Speck before crossing the road at Grafton Notch and heading up to the spectacular Baldpates. It was a fantastic bluebird morning by the time I was on the bouldery upper reaches of Baldpate. There were fabulous views in all directions. After a difficult descent off the Balpates, the trail eased up for the first time in days, and I was able to move significantly faster. I hiked until dusk and camped in a nice stealth site on a ridge.

The east half the Grafton Notch Loop, which coincides with the AT for the Baldpate Climb NOBO, was where I had done my first ever backpacking trip just a few years prior. I had all borrowed gear, no experience (obviously), but good aerobic fitness just coming off my first marathon the weekend before. The summit was socked in that October day, but my interested in backpacking was piqued. I needed to test myself in the mountains. Little did I know that I’d be back on the same mountain in a few years’ time going for a 70 day AT thru-hike.

Day 64 was another exceptional day on trail. I hiked over boulders surrounded by rare, colorful alpine mosses with great views to Rangeley Lake and throughout Maine. I had been stretching my food, but a cooler trail magic in the morning and an older couple in the afternoon who made me multiple bowls of baked beans (I guess I was craving protein), ensured I was well fed.

The reality was setting in that a 70 day hike was unrealistic, and I had to go for 71 days. I was content with this goal and had a plan. The highlight of the day was crossing the Saddleback range in the late afternoon and evening. It is hard to describe how profound this moment in time was -- for the setting Maine summer sun, for the panoramic views, for how far I've come, for what's left, for the strength, vigor, and confidence of possessing excellent fitness at 28 provides. -- this is why.

I descended off the ridge and found a cozy spot for my tent at the Poplar Ridge Lean to in the fading light.


Day 61: 22.8 miles
Day 62: 26.9 miles
Day 63: 29.0 miles
Day 64: 31.0 miles




Follow/Contact on IG: @davidbraunlich

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