Tinny and I finally got out for our first trip of the year. We repeated our hike from just above Monson, Maine (jumping-off point for the 100 Mile Wilderness) to Long Pond Stream shelter.
We did NOT repeat the mistake of missing the turnoff to get to the AT. That 'boo-boo' last year added 2.5 or so extra miles and 2 stream crossings to our journey.
Unfortunately, I was carrying Tinny's camera and tripod while wading our way up the approach trail and fell, submerging the camera, which died shortly thereafter. I had my camera though, so we just switched to using that.
We made it up to the shelter and had our hammocks up in no time. There were a few south-bounders when we arrived and a trio of north-bounders that came in later that evening. One of these lads had started hiking in Key West, Florida and was hiking through to the end of the international AT in Newfoundland/Labrador.
The three had left Springer March 20th, and were probably 5-7 days out from summiting Katahdin. So roughly 90 days or so for the GA-ME thru-hike, including 'down-time' waiting out rain. I was impressed, and a bit envious.
I had bought an MBD M2 stove for the hike and was very pleased with the results; I paired it with the Evernew Appalachian Cook Kit (minus the alky stove -natch, since I had the M2). Total weight for pot, pot-stand, 2 silicone bowl/cups, utensils and stove comes in at exactly 11 ounces. (A bit heavy, but a very capable and flexible bit of kit.)
The high point for me was the fact that Tinny had a very good night in his JRB BMBH. That is a major win, considering his history and effort in trying to make hammocking work for him. He purchased a JRB Mt. Washington III which goes up like it is made specifically for the BMBH.
Tinny's video from the hike is below, I will edit and post mine when I get my memory card back from Tinny.
Here's the video:
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