Mom's update

Ben has not had computer time so I hope I can give you some sort of update.

Ben and Nicholas have finished New Hampshire’s White Mountains gladly. Ben said it “kicked their butts”. This was very difficult hiking with huge elevation change. In addition, much of the trail is above tree line and the weather can change quickly. They did get caught in a storm but were thankfully below tree line and were able to take cover under some evergreens dodging the hail and lightening. It passed over in about 30 minutes then it became cold and windy. The temperature dropped 30 degrees. They had been hiking in shorts and t-shirts.

Thank goodness they were past Mount Washington before the weather became too wicked. Mount Washington is the site of the highest recorded wind speed, ever-231 mph! Snow falls on this mountain during every month of the year. Through the crackle of a cell phone, I understood Ben to tell me that some hikers apparently were stranded there.

Along the trail in New Hampshire are found “huts”. Huts offer hostel quality accommodations, but at hotel prices! But the first couple of hikers can “work for stay”. Ben and Nicholas were fortunate to make the cut off, and traded some free labor for a place to stay and food.

They crossed over the Maine state line on June 3. At this point they only had 280.9 miles to go! The end is in sight. Especially now that they made it over Mahoosuc Notch . This part of the trail is famous for ice found in deep crevices throughout the year. It’s a scramble under, around, over and between the boulders. It is known as the most difficult mile on the trail. When I talked to Ben he confirmed this. According to Paul “Ole Man” Renaud the owner of the Appalachian Trail Lodge and Cafe where we will be staying in Maine when we pick up Ben, this part can take from 1-3 hours, dependent on conditions. Ben and Nicholas covered it in about an hour. Ben said “it’s like caving on top of the ground”. He sounded more exhausted than I’ve heard him so far. He’s heard that it’s “downhill” from there but he still has the 100 mile wilderness to tackle.

They are scheduled to resupply in Rangeley, Maine on Tuesday, June 7. Rangeley is about 220 miles from the summit of Mount Katahdin. They are tired and I hope they can focus so there are no injuries. The end is close and the target date is still in sight.

Prayers are still much appreciated and needed.