Bears before Moosilauke! - Day 125 - Appalachian Trail

[@KristinaMcInally-pt4pw]

Cairns --- "Karens"...cracking me up. 🤣. So happy you got to see your bear in full view!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

They always got something to say

[@gingrai00]

What amazed me about the Whites, starting with Mooselauke, was how rugged the trail was… even the sections that didn’t have any noteworthy elevation were difficult going. The downhill sections required a real mindset change, for me, as they were taking longer than the uphill sections because of the steepness and risk; when I was expecting to make up time I found that we were going more slowly.

[@ISuckatHiking]

It can happen

[@maureenmukhlis2934]

Another bear! They are so cool! I am so excited to follow you as you hike through New Hampshire and Maine. Those two states amaze me so much. They are the ones that I look forward to the most if I ever get a chance to hike that trail I hope the weather stays well for you and you can enjoy, amazing views thank you for sharing everything that you do for us. You are a rockstar.💗💗💗

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@suehinze1566]

That bears gonna be on a sugar high all day. He sure was cool, but geez, what they'll do for honey. Glad you got to see one for a longer time. That mountain range goes on forever, just gorgeous ❤. Keep on pushing, you're doing great! ❤ to Leo ✌️🫶

[@ISuckatHiking]

For sure!

[@markviers998]

That was a "in the right place at the right time" if there ever was one! I do believe those bees were finally getting through some of that thick fur.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Got him on the nose

[@galejones5870]

Glad the bandana is working out!!! No worries about the sweat bands- pay them forward! Thats what it’s all about! ♥️

[@ISuckatHiking]

Yes! Thank you!

[@lindatipton413]

Leo sure knows how to navigate the trail!!! The trail is so beautiful. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@ISuckatHiking]

So true!

[@sallieeure7674]

Cairns. 😂 That was pretty funny!

[@ISuckatHiking]

It makes me laugh

[@hikingmovie]

Very cool bear and Colossus sighting. I hiked with him near the beginning of my thru hike last year. Great guy!

[@ISuckatHiking]

He really is

[@ChampagneSister]

‘Kid in a candy store’ doesn’t even begin to describe that giggle in your voice. I was so worried you weren’t going to get this experience. Hallelujah. !!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Exactly

[@jomcquillen2310]

So cool you got to see another bear! You and Leo are doing great. Thank you for the views. I am certainly enjoying viewing your journey. Stay safe.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks so much

[@jayray720]

🚶🐕‍🦺👟👟⛺🌞 that was so cool to see the bear I just got back from camping near Mount Mitchell and seen one over the weekend you're right reviews are absolutely amazing you and Leo stay safe and happy hiking 💯💪🏆🏆

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@KrizAkoni]

Welcome to the White Mountains! Epic beautiful trail ahead! Very cool bear sighting and great day to get over Moosilauke. Enjoy!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks! Will do!

[@galejones5870]

That bear is awesome!!! Yay!!! For you- so excited!

[@ISuckatHiking]

I know!!

[@caroldavison2970]

Fun fact -friends in DuBary, Florida recently had to put a fence around their bee hives to keep their black bear out of them. So your home state has bears too. Sorry for the beekeeper having to feed the local little bandit. BTW west county St. Louis. Safe travels bears and bees and AT hiking boys! You got this!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@jeannedial2824]

Absolutely stunning views today. Glad you had a nice hiking day and no rain! Ot was fun watching the young bear having a treat and running from the bees he stole it from😂. More fun fir you and Leo tomorrow, I hope

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@adelehill7457]

Glad you saw a bear in the wild. Had one in my back yard last week. I live in NH. Have never in 40 years heard a native call it Moosilauke with the long e!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Words are hard

[@luckyotter623]

Those are some incredible views! That flat field leading up to the summit reminds me of the balds here in western NC (Max Patch, Roan highlands, etc). Of course those are not above treeline - they just don't have trees for different reasons. That was a great bear sighting too. Your excited reaction to seeing bears is so cute! LOL I'm fascinated by the way Leo always knows exactly where the trail is, even when it becomes faint or obscured and not as obvious. I know he can't read blazes (or can he?). I wonder how he can tell.

[@ISuckatHiking]

He just knows

[@rottieluvr]

Amazing view and a plus was the bear

[@ISuckatHiking]

Yup

[@gina5827]

So happy for your bear sighting!! 🐻🍯 Gorgeous views!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thank you!! 😊

[@rw3365]

Beautiful hike !!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

It was!

[@melshea2519]

We had 8 hikers eating at the Ottada Way Cafe, set up above the parking area at the base of Moosalauki, when a bear came around sniffing the burgers and hot dogs! 😊 BACON WRAP

[@ISuckatHiking]

Oh wow!

[@wandahale8118]

Bears are a beekeepers nightmare. Happy safe hiking.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@rjsrock8]

Bear! Bear! Bear!

[@ISuckatHiking]

I loved it

[@jeffstone28]

Hey, Master Splinter! Wonderful how the trail provides... shoes and a water bottle when you needed them! I'm surprised you didn't give more hype to the Beaver Brook Trail. That descent is on the list of Terrible 25 in the Whites!

[@ISuckatHiking]

I probably didn't know I was on it just out for a walk 🤣

[@joyadams507]

How exciting for your intense sighting of a bear … it amazes me how Leo knows how to stay on the trail …thank you for the beautiful views! Could that have been a Moose jawbone? ..another day down..more miles that are in your rear view mirror! …keep pushing those miles…Hike on

[@thecrankyyankee5114]

He stays on trail because they trained for a year and he’s on a leash. When Sadie went missing she was not on a leash. Sad that dog went missing but I blame the owner for not having her on a leash.

[@joyadams507]

@@thecrankyyankee5114 , I know he is on a leash, he could very easily go off the path of the trail but he doesn’t..

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@hsoderberg6505]

What a fantastic day, glad to see you storing up good experiences after seeing your Instagram yesterday. Jawbone deer/moose depending on size. Wear on teeth is used to estimate age.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Oh wow!

[@shellynoble4298]

Great day shoe in hike box never hear that before. Also great video of bear to look back on. Plus awesome view. I think this is one of your favorite days on trail.

[@ISuckatHiking]

It was a good one

[@RobertBruck-r5o]

Moosilauke is epic!!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

It was

[@sheilahenry7279]

Cool. Did Leo get to see the bear? Beautiful stream & shoes in hiker box! The trail provides. I read the most common things in hiker boxes are shoe clamp things for snow & ice. Guess they are heavy & when not needed dumped. I need some & hate to buy but planning to start in the cold so likely leave mine too. Great views.

[@ISuckatHiking]

He was safe in the van

[@karenmoore9842]

So cool, they love the honey! Good thing you don’t run into them often you would still be miles behind:) What a view!! Ok that didn’t look like me at all!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

@@karenmoore9842 yup

[@hsoderberg6505]

Glad if you could see the humor in that, personally it drives me nuts when a perfectly good woman's name is used as an insult.

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

I smile at cairns because someone is care-n enough to make sure I stay on trail. 😉

[@chefdave28]

Cairns 😂😂😂😂.

[@lauralossie3893]

Hahaha!!!

[@ISuckatHiking]

🤣

[@caroldavison2970]

Alexa said it could go either way on the pronunciation. Moosa-lake or moosa-lock like Loch Ness monster. Since you are the one who climbed it's your choice!

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@maureenp7082]

Us New Hampshirites call it Moosilauke with the e pronounced.

[@Daddarella]

The mountain I've climbed many times - including white out winter conditions- is pronounced in the second way Carol mentions. However, if anyone can provide an example of another word or object name that ends in "-ke" with vowels before it and is pronounced with the long "e", I will tip my hat to them.

[@mink5]

@@Daddarella Many Italian, German and other foreign (foreign to English) languages pronounce the ending "e". Given that Moosilauke is a Native American name, the English rules of pronunciation don't apply to the name. It's totally okay to pronounce it either way (you won't be fined or go to jail no matter which way you pronounce it) but, as maureenp7082 above notes, we in NH pronounce it with the long "e". 🙂

[@Daddarella]

@@mink5 True dat- no fine or jail time :) However, the western Abenaki (which included Vermont as well as western NH) language translations were careful to include -ee (as in Winnepesaukee) or -i (as in Sokoki, Abenaki); they do not have a high, front, tense vowel like "ee". So, since it would appear to be an English pronunciation after all.

[@patayres4013]

What a perfect start with the bear sighting!!! I am happy you got a good view of a young bear. And the views!! Oh my. I probably couldn't have done the climb, but I wanted to be there and enjoy God's creation Thanks for a great journey today and the past 124 days. I look forward to your big smile and celebration when the final climb is done! What are your plans for food and supplies for the 100 mile wilderness? You will have a heavy pack for sure with food for you and Leo.

[@ISuckatHiking]

@patayres4013 you can do a halfway drop

[@64gjb]

Horse or moose jaw bone if really big and the territory betting moose.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Nice

[@RhondaEaton-h5f]

I'm glad you saw another bear. However, as I'm a beekeeper, my heart aches for the bees. So much hard work destroyed.

[@ISuckatHiking]

I understand

[@AnthonyTyson-ym5gs]

Ursurus Major Baby. Lyve 4evr Compadrez

[@ISuckatHiking]

Thanks

[@Deb16-]

You know what's crazy. The descents kill my feet but the climbs don't.

[@ISuckatHiking]

Alot of people are the same

[@mattjosh69]

Anyone taking bets on how many bear’s your going to see, now that you’ve had your first good sighting. It’s always the way it go’s.😂😂😂

[@ISuckatHiking]

They spread the word I'm not trying to fight them