Date: 2016-08-17
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

We had some pretty good rainfall overnight and the wind made it more interesting. I didn't get wet but each side of my tent had a little water. So I wiped it up and went back to sleep. I stayed dry but everything was a little damp in the morning. I got up at 5:45 and should have been on the trail by 6:30 but drying everything off I didn't make it to the trail until 7:15. My foodbag had been raided again and they got some chips. That is two nights in a row now...the first night they just got in the trash. I had four hills today and then the rest of the terrain is flat until I get to Katahdin. During the morning I ran I to some section hikers. They said they were getting off.trail and wondered if I would like some chocolate chips. I said sure and they gave me a big bag of chocolate chips. I was hiking a while and heard voices...one sounded like Slug. I turned the corner and sure enough there he was talking to some people hiking southbound. We hiked together most of the day. We got up then second mountain(Whircap) and it was above treeline. The wind was blowing and it was cloudy with a heavy mist. I wish I had my contacts in because my glasses were littered with drops of water and it was hard to see where on the rocky surface I was stepping. I tried to dry them with my tec shirt but that only does so much. It was very chilly conditions...thankfully it didn't last too long before we were back under treeline. On a clear day you can see Katahdin from there. We went another mile and a half down and made it to a shelter for a snack. I put my raincoat on for warmth and took my shoes off to let my feet air/dry out. There are a lot of hikers in the area and at least a dozen moved in and out of the lean-to while I was there. Slug and I hiked together most of the day, I enjoy his company. Mid afternoon the sun came out and it was a nice afternoon. We had one more 600 ft climb and then the terrain would be flat until Katahdin. On top of that moutian Slug made a phone call and I continued to the lean-to and made it in by 5:30. I was exhausted from the last two days of 20 milers. Patriot came in a little later and said Rabbit, Blues Brother, Subman and Suds were not far behind. Sure enough they were there within an hour. I was shocked but happy to see them again. I couldn't believe they did 25 miles. They are heading to the only hostel in the 100 mile wilderness and didn't want to do 22 miles into it. I will continue on as I have a Saturday deadline to meet my sister who is picking me up. The forecast is nice for the next few days until a major storm is forecasted for Monday. We will see what happens and schedule my Katahdin summit accordingly. This 100 mile wilderness is pretty much the same as the trail I've been hiking the last six months, only a little more secluded. We still see other hikers out for short excursions, just few paved roads and no close towns. I figured the forest would be thicker but its not. Looking at the elevation profile it is a straight line to Katahdin and then a major rise to over 5000 ft. It was a damp cool morning with a sunny comfortable afternoon for a wonderful day to hike. I don't know how many times on the trail I have heard...you are the most upbeat hiker I've seen. I am enjoying life even when things are not going my way. The closest think I've seen to a moose is moose pool.