Date: 2006-08-16
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

I had slept good and as I stuck my head out of the sleeping bag I saw several hikers standing ready in front of the shelter. One of the guys had a pair of hiking poles like mine, orange Leike with black handles. The height settings were kind of like what I had, even the scratch marks looked like those I had... Hey, those poles ARE mine!!! I yelled out to the guy right before they walked of that he had gotten hold of the wrong pair of poles. I couldn't believe that he had taken the wrong pair of poles as his own were nothing like mine in color, height, or brand. I sure was glad I had awoken and seen the mistake or I might have lost my poles and another hiker would have been miserable walking with poles that were too short Breakfast was a quick two packages of cold raw oatmeal straight out of the packages - that was a first for me! Felt like I was really "roughing it" This self-pronounced tough hiker gal was now ready for the last 99.4 miles of the AT I had several climbs today. First one right out of the shelter was Barren Mtn (2,660') It was a long but not very steep climb. After reaching the top I got to the sidetrail leading to Cloud Pond Shelter 0.4 mi off the trail so I didn't go to that shelter. I could make it with what water I had left until the next water source 5 miles further. The trail then went down and crossed the Fourth Mtn Bog. At the entrance to the bog was a sign saying "Please help preserve the bog and its endagered plants by staying on the bog bridging" I read it twice to make sure I had gotten it right, I mean who would NOT want to stay ON the bog bridges instead of walking through all that muck? If you fell in you might never get found!!! That sign was a little unnecessary. From the bog the trail went up over Fourth Mtn, then Third Mtn, and before going up (no, not second mtn) Columbus Mtn I passed the much needed water source. The stream looked so good and I took a break there to drink. I always feel more thirsty when I do not have enough water than when I have a full bottle. Going down Columbus Mtn was a steep rock scramble but at least it was short. Chairback Gap Lean-to was right on the trail and as I took a break there together with Home Brew I could see the dark grey clouds come rolling in - Oh no, not another round of rain! I got lucky, no rain fell and after the sky cleared up a little I left the shelter. Hmm, Haven't seen a blaze lately but it clearly was a nice trail I was walking on, well, better go back and check the last blaze anyway. Once again I had gone the wrong way, this time it was the bog bridges hidden behind some trees that I had missed. Instead of turning left where the water sign was I had gone straight. Even after 2000 miles I can still go the wrong way, at lest it keeps me on my toes. Up over Chairback Mtn then down again and before long I stood on at the West Branch of Pleasant River. It was like most of the other crossings, wide but not deep and the water was running slowly here. I sat down on the rocks and took off my boots and put on sandals. I do not like to cross barefooted as there is a huge risk of getting your feet cut and the rocks are so slippery. Any cut on your feet has an extremely large risk of getting infected because out here you just can't keep your feet clean. I do not want to get off the trail for a week or more to let a wound heal, so on with the sandals. With pack on my back, hiking poles in hand, and boots hanging around my neck I stepped into the water and waded aross. On the other side I reversed the process of changing foot wear. Then it was time to start looking for a good campsite. I want the site to be relatively flat with no rocks or roots and not too far away from a water source. This time the river was the water source as I found no other within half a mile. An hour later Dodger came to the river and called out "RED" to see if I had camped on the other side. But befor eI got down to the river he was gone. An hour later I went back to the river a third time and Dodger was there too. He had gone back to see if he had missed me somewhere on that side. We finally both got to the campsite and had dinner.