2023- AT Year 13 Grafton Notch Hwy 26 to Andover, Me South Arm Road- 20.4 miles

AT Year 13 - Grafton Notch to South Arm Rd

Thanks for your patience as I have finally gotten around to putting this together. This year marked the second year in a row in which I had to abort my hike. In year 12,  it was a situation at home with my parents. This year it was a personal health issue, which turned out to be unexpected problems with my heart. The bottom line is I apparently suffered a major heart attack while on the trail, and may be lucky to still be here. The good news is I am being treated, and am green lighted to resume hiking, just no longer in a solo capacity. I will give a few details here. 

I went on the trail last with high expectations.  I always feel bit excited and nervous at the same time, and felt physically and mentally prepared.  I took two days to drive up to Shaw's Hiker hostel in Monson, Me. From there, I would be shuttled to Grafton Notch (about 150 miles) to begin my hike.  I purchased a few needed items at the hostel outfitters, and consulted with a representative of Appalachian Trail Conservancy about trail conditions and what might be needed to enter Baxter State Park next year when I hoped to ultimately complete my AT adventure.   I spent the night at the hostel, and prepared to be shuttled the next day. 

Day 1 -June 5 -Grafton Notch to Frye Notch Lean-To - 5.8 miles.

On the morning of my shuttle, I ate a huge breakfast, prepared by 'Poet'. He and his wife, 'Hippie Chick', are co-owner/proprietors of the hostel. It was a cold, rainy day, typical of Maine weather in June. It always feels good to be going 'home' to the trail, and this day was no exception.  I was shuttled by 'Buddy', the same knowledgeable, friendly driver who shuttled me on my year 12 trek. We had a good visit and conversation during the longish trip to Grafton Notch. 

Foggy Bald Pate Mt.

Another View Towards the Summit

The day began with a big climb up Bald Pate Mt, which has two peaks. I made good progress and passed the cutoff to my originally intended destination for the first day.   As I approached the foggy, rocky bald summit of the west peak, I somehow lost my camera for the second year in a row. I continued over the east peak, and descended to the shelter, arriving around 4:30. So far, I had not  encountered any other hikers, and had the shelter to myself.  Tomorrow was to be a longer hike to the Hall Mt. Lean-To 

Day 2- June 6 - Frye Notch Lean-To to Hall Mountain Lean-to- 10.5 Miles

This day was a bit of a longer slog, and the terrain being very difficult, which makes it feel longer than it actually is.  The weather was also cold and rainy, which made it more treacherous. After a slow, all day hike, I arrived at the shelter around 5:30 p.m.

I was working to get my 'trail legs back'. I was a day ahead of schedule, so I decided I would take a 'zero day' at the shelter to wait for better weather, recoup, plan ahead, and perhaps gain energy for the next leg, which I knew would not get any easier.  

Day 3 - June 7 - Zero Day at Hall Mountain Lean-to

I spent the 'zero day' just resting in the shelter, reading my book and snoozing. It was cold and rainy, so it felt very nice just to snuggle inside my warm sleeping bag most of the day.  

 Day 4 - June 8 - Hall Mountain Lean-to to South Arm Rd - 4.1 miles

I awoke early, packed up, and ate a breakfast of thick oatmeal topped with freeze-dried strawberries. I tanked up with water at the source, and visited the privy. It is at this time that my stomach began to hurt. It was a dull, persistent pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen. I had had gall bladder surgery the previous year, and this pain felt exactly like that. Because of this, I assumed it was related to the stomach and/or liver.

I broke camp, hoping the pain would ease, but it continued to worsen as I headed down the trail. My athletic career has taught me to pay attention to my body. I've learned to ascertain what kinds of pain can be ignored and what can't.  Somehow, I knew I shouldn't ignore this pain, and began to consider stopping at a hostel at the next road crossing - about four miles down the trail. The pain increased on the last big climb, and I was having to stop every two minutes   I still believed it related to the digestive system, but the pain subsided when I stopped to rest. It momentarily dawned on me that it could be heart related, but my ego wouldn't let me accept this possibility,.  Afterall, I've considered myself to be something of an athlete, at least in my age bracket. 

I encountered my first hiker in three days while slowly struggling up the last hill. I was humbled to discover that he was six years older than me, and already on his fourth complete thru-hike. 😕 I was grateful to stop and converse a little. I made it to the top of the hill and called the local hostel for a shuttle and an overnight stay.  I was thinking of maybe visiting a local clinic or hospital, but the nearest one was thirty miles away.  I continued to feel bad after arriving at the hostel, and mostly rested in my room. I decided I would call for a shuttle back to my car in Monson for the next morning. I thought I might be dropped off at a clinic if necessary, and/or drive myself if I felt better.  I felt much better the next morning, so I made the decision to return home and get a appointment with my personal physician.