Day 12 - the better kind of weight loss (13/7/2016)

Back on the trail after the good rest. My base weight is down 12 lbs (5kg) after the hostel owner did a shakedown of my pack. (My bank balance is also lighter...)

The lighter pack and friendly terrain meant nearly 3miles/hr which is not much slower than my city walking pace! Originally planned to just do 9 miles, but I hit my destination before 3pm so it was decision time - press on for another 9 miles, or accept that I'll have covered only 16 miles in 3 days.

There was a note from Trout in the register hoping I'd catch him soon, which felt nice to read. :)

Not So Bad (an American wearing a Canadian Tire hat) showed up and convinced me to press on. There was a river ford coming up in 3 miles and usually that offers a campsite, even if it's not official. I decided to try my luck - if the gamble paid off I'd bed down at 12 miles, otherwise it'd be a long day.

The gamble paid off. Now I'm trying to use my ultralight alcohol stove. Here's a tip for all you kids out there: stay in school, but also make sure the guy who sells you a new style of stove teaches you how to use it *before* you get hungry.

In the end, beef ramen with some chili spice mix (a hiker box score!) makes for a nice meal.

Start: Monson (ME 15)
End: West Branch Pistataquis River
Distance: 12 miles (19km)