Today's miles 15. AT miles 2170.2
We have had to make a slight change to our final days schedules thanks to my unfriendly stomach 'alien' as we are slightly behind plan and to give me chance to recuperate some energy. We had planned on being at Katahdin Stream Campsite/The Birches Lean-to by the end of today, just 5.2 miles from Katahdin summit and summiting Katahdin, the end of the Appalachian Trail, tomorrow, but have added in an extra day. Today we walked as far as Abol Bridge, the north end of the 100 mile wilderness, back to a little bit of civilisation.
Nigel spotted some Indian Pipe growing near our campsite this morning, an unusual translucent candy cane shaped plant that has no chlorophyll. We left camp at 7:30, again it was mainly another levelish trail day but still with rocks and roots obstacles. We walked alongside the large Rainbow Lake for quite a while, we stopped for a break at the waters edge at one point then up and over Rainbow Ledges where there were wild blueberries just ripening. Down from the Ledges we stopped at Hurd Brook Lean-to for another break, we then had only 3 miles to go to Abol Bridge where there is a campground, camp store and restaurant.
We arrived at Abol Bridge about 2:45, there was a great view of Katahdin from the bridge. We headed to the restaurant, we were in need of proper food or something that I actually felt like eating! Nigel had his usual burger and fries and a beer or two. I had a BLT sandwich and fries and water. I managed the sandwich, Nigel ate my fries, I still don't have my full appetite back, I get nausea and stomach cramps every time I eat, but need to rebuild my energy levels for the last two days. We did think about getting off trail at Abol Bridge and heading for Millinocket town twenty miles away to rest, see a doctor then come back and finish the last two days of the trail later on, but that meant a big upheaval to our after trail plans. I said I'd rather continue adding in an extra day to make it easier and get the trail finished.
We booked a campsite pitch, showered, rinsed some clothes out and had a relaxing afternoon. I managed to get some Alka Seltzer from the camp store, hoping that that plus good old Coca Cola may help settle my stomach at least temporarily.
How I kept going the last five days I don't really know? I had no choice but to continue as there is no help or an easy escape route in the 100 mile wilderness section of the trail. There were a few tears along the way and I cried a few tears when we reached Abol Bridge with relief that we'd made it. I was just determined to get the trail miles finished, we're just days away from completion - stamina, determination, mental willpower and strong legs saw me through. After 2000+ miles of walking day after day our legs go into automatic mode. It just shows what your body can do when it has too and is pushed to the limits.
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