short update because i’m tying up the phone at the hostel here… southern maine is kicking this tired hiker’s butt! argh. i’m putting in 10-12 hour hiking days and only getting 10 miles or so. rough stuff. oh well, nothting that is going to kill me. the trail is SUPER crowded these days. there were 22 hikers at the shelter the other night. everyone is shooting for the same summit date at katahdin (october 1st). it’s nice seeing everyone, but kind of a pain when there is no shelter space available.