Socked in Bigelow

• Today I traveled 15.3 miles with 4575 feet of ascent.
• I climbed Bigelow Mountain, the first 4000+ feet mountain since Katahdin, and the first of several 4k+ feet mountains making up southern Maine. I’ve been told many times these past 12 days that Southern Maine and the Whites in New Hampshire are the most physically challenging sections of the entire trail. They’re also some of the most rewarding/fun/exciting sections too.
• I had my first experience of being “socked in” today which is where you’re completely surrounded by a cloud on a mountain and can only see white all in the distance. I was a little bummed not see a good view but it felt pretty intense hiking through a cloud. At the summit of Bigelow Mountain the winds were ripping. I had to walk kinda sideways through some sections too not get posted around by the gusts.
• I got to Stratton, ME around 3:30 and caught a shuttle to Maine Roadhouse, a highly recommend spot ran by The Jenns. It’s really a top tier spot to stay.

Peace!