#appalachain trail
West Peak
Across the valley, down one steep side and up the other, we reached our second peak at 4,145 ft. with relief. It was the most ideal day. Sun was shining down on us with warmth and a cool, calm breeze from the west kept our momentum up.
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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Sunbathing
Lunch atop South Horn. It was windy but the sun was shining.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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Necessary.
These things are amazing. Lightweight, durable, and essential for trails such as this one where no fires are allowed most of the year due to the high volume of fauna and flora that are unique to these mountains.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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Views from the loos.
The title speaks for itself. I must say these particular out houses were very pleasant, as far as out houses go you know.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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4 Miles
That long pack ride really tuckered him out. We’ve found the lean-to’s in-between the horn peaks in time for sundown. We will settle in and explore a bit before bed.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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Rainbow
It started to pour just as we got to the lean-to, a 5 minute down pour maybe, then clear skies and this beauty snuck into the shot.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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First Stop
Maybe after about a mile, maybe two, and not reaching the base of the range yet from our access point where the car was parked, we stopped here for a snack. Green. So f-ing green. It was like a pine tree rainforest. It was so lush, everything was soaking up, devouring the run off still melting in some places from the long winter that year. We could still hear the thunderstorm passing east bound ahead of us. We were relieved.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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The Packs
Early June of 2015 my man and I took our 2 year-old son on a 3-day hike in the Bigelow Preserve of the Appalachian Trail of Maine. We peaked 3 mountains ranging in elevation from 3,000-just over 4,000 ft. We felt like champions. We had been planning this trip for months, I had other business to attend to in Farmington and figured we take the opportunity to drive the extra hour back north to Stratton our home a few winters prior. We started our journey 4 hours late due to thunderstorms and began in a misty and muggy climate with hesitant smiles.
Here is the home to the second largest range in the state and thought to be the most dangerous section of the whole 2,180 mile journey. (This has most do with unpredictable, fast, and strong currents from the Kennebec river that must be crossed to continue the journey to Katahdin. We, however didn’t have to go that far.) The mountains are steep, often times requiring all fours and assistance to get ourselves and our absurdly heavy packs over large boulder fields and up narrow cliffside stairs. Needless to say, next time Nolan will be carrying his own back.
“The A.T. Collection”
Kelsey A St Germain
Nikon D3200
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Take every chance. Drop every fear.
Sunsets.
Nature is magic ✨.
A little late, but I would say the annual friends-cation was pretty successful!
Vivid summer colors at Roan Highlands, NC/TN. Aug 2018.
Round Bald, Roan Highlands, NC/TN. Aug 2018.
