I"m not sure where to begin. We have had conversations and exchanged text messages, but everything seems a bit disjointed right now. It is much harder to keep up with Ward's progress now that the Spot is gone. We talked earlier in the week when he was in Stratton, ME. The terrain in southwestern ME is terribly difficult, and a number of thru-hikers simply give up at this point, even though they are within 200-300 miles of Katahdin. But Stratton is the end of the really bad stuff until one reaches Katahdin, and from there Ward has some big days planned.
We talked again yesterday (Friday) from Monson, ME. The short version of the story is that he will hike through the "hundred mile wilderness" (remote and highly isolated for 100 miles) with plans to finish on Wednesday, June 22nd. He will fly home on Thursday, June 23rd after a celebratory night out with Ryan, Paul, Ice Ax, and another person who is doing the third leg of the Triple Crown (the friend says the AT is the most difficult, even though it is shorter than the other two trails). There is no word from Matt, which has Ward concerned. He hoped they would finish at the same time.
Wednesday will be special for Ward. Thursday will be special for us.
It looks as if the weather will be very nice for Ward's finish. Big days in the wilderness, almost there. Great job!
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