Day 2 - First real hiking day

I've got some time now to update days I've skipped so far (day 10 at the time of writing)

Started our at Katahdin Stream Campground. Was in a bit of rush to get moving as I didn't want to encounter the ranger and have awkward questions asked about my permitless ascent yesterday. This was the first night I've slept in my new tent, it went pretty well.

Exiting the camping area, I signed the trail register, writing the month first and then the day (winces). Interestingly, there is another south-bounder that headed out just 2 hours previously. Must see if I can catch up with her. (Spoilers: I do not)

First thing I noticed setting out is my pack is waaaaay too heavy. Like, every single step my brain is trying to think of what to jettison. The first thing is my water. I'm used to hiking in Aus where the water sources are few and far between, so I'd set out with my usual 4 litres. But Maine is full of rivers and lakes, I don't need so much. So I poured out 3 litres. That helped the weight situation but more will need to done.

I hiked along and had almost exited Baxter State Park when I met a ranger. We chatted for a bit, he used to be a hiker and had been given the trail name Donald Duck (you will be hearing a lot about trail names). I was telling Donald my plans and what I'd done so far. He asked if I'd climbed with a permit, I said, like yeah, I mean, yeah, I totally signed something before the ascent. He wasn't buying it though, and I was thinking great, here I'm going to be fined just as I'm setting off. But he just had me fill out a permit application and said he'd take care of it. Good guy.

I stayed the night in Abol Bridge Campground and Store. In a little shed with some bunks in it. They have showers here so that was fantastic. A lot of people in campers with there American flags all out. I was told that you could get reception about a mile down the road, but I walked down there and couldn't get anything.

I bought a tin of ravioli, a jar of peanut butter, and a tube of Pringles to supplement my dinner. Pics of the area tomorrow as apparently that's when I took the photos.

Starting out: Katahdin Stream Campground
Staying tonight: Abol Bridge Campground and Storeもっと詳しく