Some of the arrival photos

Getting Home

Sorry that the blogs were more scarce toward the end of the trip. It was probably a combination of lack of computers, and lack of urgency to do anything except hike and rest. However, here I am at home finally with a bit of time on my hands.

New Hampshire and Maine were both incredible and challenging. The white mountains in New Hampshire make the Vermont ski areas seem like foothills. Alot of the time we were above tree line. One night we barely made it off the top of a mountain before a severe electrical storm set in- actually more like 4 storms at the same time coming from different directions. We were lucky enough to have great weather on both Mount Washington and Katahdin.

Thankyou to Matu, Nick, Jessie (from Duke), and Dad (Big Chief) for coming out and hiking with us periodically. It was very rejuvinating. Thankyou Mom for spearheading the food drop support, and thankyou to all friends and family for general moral support and encouragement. It was a fantastic suprise to have Holly and Nicole come up and meet us at the end in Baxter State Park. They even made victory signs! We are also thankful for all those people along the way who lifted our spirits with trail magic (usually free food). Phil and I are planning to go out to the trail in New York to do some trail magic of our own. Thankyou everyone for the pledges to Running Strong. Phil and I will be sending out return envelopes to pledgers soon .

Nothing can match the incredible feeling of climbing to the top of Katahdin and seeing the famous sign that marks the northern terminus. Our friend Double Cheese was already at the top when we arrived and he cheared us on the final 20 feet or so. Phil and I had left at about 5 in the morning to get to the top at a decent hour in the morning. Double Cheese had left at around 3:30 to catch the sunrise.

I have been home for a day or two now. I still need to readjust to life in Greenwich again. Its very different from the trail obviously, but my bed feels great and seeing friends and family is awesome. There was even an article in the Greenwich Times on July 5 with a full page on A3 about our trip. I was very happy to see that.

Memorable views

You can see here some of the reasons for the walk!

(posted by Eddie)

2,000 miles done - the last 100 to go

Adam and Phil crossed the 2,000 mile marker, and are now in Monson,ME. They are taking the day off to watch the final of the Eurocup soccer. Tomorrow they will set off on the final, and most challenging, leg of their trip - the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. They expect to summit Mt Katahdin on July 5th. They have had a lot of rain, but spirits are high, and the end is nigh.

Psycho

Just to give an outsider perspective on the story below, Phil did look like an actual Psycho

Glencliff, NH

Hey everyone, we made it to Glencliff, about to start into the White Mountains. We're staying in a Hostel, and on our way in could see the 5,000 ft climb up Mt. Moosilauke, which we have ahead of us tomorrow.
Our stay in Dartmouth was awesome, and we got to hang with our friend Ian Murphy at the Bones Gate frat. funny anecdote: Before we left Hanover, after picking up our food drop at the Post Office, I had an interesting moment out on the sidewalk. I was trying to fit our folded box into a trash can, facing a crowded / traffic-packed street. I suddenly got hit with a fit of the giggles, which turned into full blown laughter. To sum up, everyone on the street driving by watched as I attempted to ram a box into a trash can while laughing uncontrollably. Must've looked kind of crazy.
That's it for now, I'm pumped to get above treeline tomorrow.
-Samsa (Phil)