The 100 mile wilderness was explained to me as being the most remote area in America. Everything I was told or read about it said there would be no cell service, no roads in or out, no resupply options, no alternative side trails for the mountain climbs, and lots of animals.

Well all of that could not have been farther from the truth. What I experienced was much different than that…

Before entering the 100 mile wilderness I acquired a local topo map and found all kinds of alternative routes. Though I did climb the mountains in the beginning of the wilderness, I skipped the White Caps and went on a adventure less traveled around them and had a more fun and relaxing hike.

When I reached Katahdin Iron Works Road I acquired a Snowmobile map and used that to help guide me to the locals routes.

Resupply was easy for those who wanted it or needed it. All kinds of shuttles were available to pick you up, drop you off, or bring you food etc… I came across three sets of trail magic out there. Trail magic is when someone comes out and gives away free food and generally beer, soda, and Gatorade type stuff.

There were tons of dirt roads in and out of the wilderness and LOTS of people driving them who were willing to shuttle you to town etc… Also if you had Verizon CDMA cell service then you pretty much had service through the entire 100 mile wilderness. Though most other cellular providers had no signal or very little.

The only animals I saw were humans, chipmunks, squirrels, and birds in this section. I did see tons of poop from bears, moose, and other various creatures.

I think that this section of the Appalachian trail was the easiest and nicest section of all. (remember I went around the hard climbs) the terrain was awesome and the views extravagant! I slept on a lake front beach, in shelters, and stealth camped in the woods. I met lots of good people, some locals, some hikers, and some trail angels.

One hiker was really pissed and yelled at me for about an hour because he was mad I went around the climbs instead of over them. Hike your own hike! I told him I was walking from Georgia to Maine and the route didn’t much matter to me. I think he was upset he didn’t get to skip the hard climb too.

I finished the 100 mile wilderness on September 13th. I stayed at ABOL campground. Then on the 14th I hiked to the Birches lean-to at Katahdin Springs campground. On September 15th Friday I climbed Mount Katahdin! Then I got a shuttle to the AT lodge in Millinocket where Addie arrived and took me home.

I am only going to show the pictures from the 100 mile wilderness in this blog and will do another blog of climbing Mount Katahdin separately.

So here are the pictures 🙂