Date: 2008-08-06
From: Cooper Brook Falls Shelter

To: Rainbow Stream Shelter
Miles today: 29.6

yowza.... a looooooooong day. but a good day. we are 25 miles from the base of katahdin. today was my longest hiking day yet, i think. i never did a 30 miler, but this is close enough. i am dead tired....i can't wait to finish this entry, so i can lie down in my sleeping bag.last night it was cold, and it was dark. i woke up at 3:30, and couldn't see my hand in front of my face... and no, it wasn't because i wasn't wearing my glasses, it was dark! i also kept my sleeping bag over me all night. i was very reluctant to leave it this morning.we got up and moving around 5am, because we knew we had our big mile day today. the day started great... the trail was smooth, and level, and it made for great walking. we got our first 11.3 miles done by 10am. 3.5 hours. sweeeeeeet. we took a break at potaywadjo shelter, and then continued on.at this point, the trail started getting worse... more roots, more rocks, more mud, more bog bridges. it was strange to notice that the higher in elevation we went, the more mud there was. how very strange. anyway, we got to our next shelter/checkpoint about 2pm. another 10.2 miles down. another 3.5 hours to do it. niiiiice. a little slower, but again, the trail was progressively getting worse. we took off from that shelter after we ate lunch, and outran 7 other people who were heading here. we were the first here and got spots in the shelter. we rolled in here about 5:30. this was 3 hours for 8 miles, even slower yet, but the trail managed to get even worse. lots more ups and downs, lots more roots and rock hopping. we also had to climb mount nesuntabunt (which we can never pronounce, so we call it mount cinnabon - as named by trust me, who is having some serious cinnabon cravings now). that was a tough climb for me. it was only 700 feet, but it was steep, and it kicked my butt. i think my legs have had it - i am having trouble with all the hills now. anyway, with lots more obstacles to overcome, it took us longer. but we did all our miles in 11 hours, and even had 2 half hour breaks. we are pleased with ourselves.we didn't see any moose today... bummer. apparently another hiker, crumbs, who was 20 minutes ahead of us had a moose encounter as it just sat on the trail in front of her. ghaa! that would have been cool to see. the other guys haven't seen any moose yet.we keep talking about keeping in touch, so we can have a reunion trip or weekend next year. that sounds like fun.the shelter here is pretty good. it's an old style, so the sleeping platform is round logs... a bit bumpy. but the shelter is right on rainbow stream, so again, i will got to sleep listening to the sound of water rushing past. unfortunately, my boots are positioned within 3 feet of my head, and i can smell them... that may make sleeping a little more difficult,. peee-yeeew.oh yeah, and we made it through the hike rain-free. but it is raining now. better at night, when i am in a shelter, than when i am hiking. although, this shirt could use a good rinse. it is also getting stinky. only one more day though, and then we are done hiking. our last day, friday will not be hiking - it will be mountain climbing, as we go up katahdin. so close... so close.time for sleep.