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Our hike begins at the Hunt Trailhead to summit Katahdin. The Hunt Trail starts out in the forest, overgrown with moss and ferns, lichen and fungus. Everything is wet. The ground is saturated, sometimes water running down the trail. It’s steamy, so humid. The forest slowly gives way to large granite boulders. High steps, scrambling, and a bit of hand over hand, until the mountain comes into view.

We reach Thoreau Spring and stop to rest. A hiker comes in from a different trail. He is also wearing sandals. This is always a conversation starter. He’s wearing a running vest too, soNeon asks if he’s running the trail. He says he does run trails, but not this one. He tells us that he did not start running until he was 63. He’s 82 now. We can’t help but look amazed, because he’s in such awesome shape, and doesn’t look anywhere near 82. We chat about strength training, building core and glute strength to protect the knees and back. He comments that it’s an interesting thing, “training for longevity”. We all nod in agreement.

We reach Thoreau Spring and stop to rest. A hiker comes in from a different trail. He is also wearing sandals. This is always a conversation starter. He’s wearing a running vest too, soNeon asks if he’s running the trail. He says he does run trails, but not this one. He tells us that he did not start running until he was 63. He’s 82 now. We can’t help but look amazed, because he’s in such awesome shape, and doesn’t look anywhere near 82. We chat about strength training, building core and glute strength to protect the knees and back. He comments that it’s an interesting thing, “training for longevity”. We all nod in agreement.

We reach Thoreau Spring and stop to rest. A hiker comes in from a different trail. He is also wearing sandals. This is always a conversation starter. He’s wearing a running vest too, so Neon asks if he’s running the trail. He says he does run trails, but not this one. He tells us that the did not start running until he was 63. He’s 82 now. We can’t help but look amazed, because he’s in such awesome shape, and doesn’t look anywhere near 82. We chat about strength training, building core and glute strength to protect the knees and back. He comments that it’s an interesting thing, “training for longevity”. We all nod in agreement. 

Training for longevity... This resonates deeply with me—learning and relearning how to be healthy—how to work with my broken parts to be stronger. Another mile leads us to the summit of Katahdin. I’ve been here once before, up Pamola Ridge and the Knife’s Edge. It’s a spectacular mountain. 

We reach Thoreau Spring and stop to rest. A hiker comes in from a different trail. He is also wearing sandals. This is always a conversation starter. He’s wearing a running vest too, soNeon asks if he’s running the trail. He says he does run trails, but not this one. He tells us that he did not start running until he was 63. He’s 82 now. We can’t help but look amazed, because he’s in such awesome shape, and doesn’t look anywhere near 82. We chat about strength training, building core and glute strength to protect the knees and back. He comments that it’s an interesting thing, “training for longevity”. We all nod in agreement.

Our camping reservations are at Abol Campground, so we descend Katahdin on the Abol Trail. A few more miles the next day leads us out of Baxter State Park and into the 100 Mile Wilderness.

I find myself feeling elated at the beauty and the light in the open woods where I can see off into the distance, and becoming irritable and sad in the woods that are overcrowded with thin trees and undergrowth. I remind myself, with each step, to keep a proper pelvic tilt, to engage my core and glutes in order to protect my lower back and my knees. This becomes my focus, and helps ease how claustrophobic the crowded woods make me feel. I miss the sky, and yet this opportunity to perfect my walking brings me great joy.

We reach Thoreau Spring and stop to rest. A hiker comes in from a different trail. He is also wearing sandals. This is always a conversation starter. He’s wearing a running vest too, soNeon asks if he’s running the trail. He says he does run trails, but not this one. He tells us that he did not start running until he was 63. He’s 82 now. We can’t help but look amazed, because he’s in such awesome shape, and doesn’t look anywhere near 82. We chat about strength training, building core and glute strength to protect the knees and back. He comments that it’s an interesting thing, “training for longevity”. We all nod in agreement.