Date: 2005-08-13
From: Nahmakanta Lake Campsite

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: broken clouds

Miles hiked today : 21.9I woke up this morning at 5:30 a.m. and wasn't exactly pleased, as it had rained throughout the night. I had left my shorts and capilenes out to dry, so I knew that they would be wet. Fortunately, Sasha and Brian had put up a tarp, so I was able to pack under cover. I only wish that I'd left my pack under the tarp last night instead of letting it get rained on. It seems that my pack cover is not performing as well as it used to, as the inside was slightly damp. I ate breakfast and did my best to keep the no-see-ums at bay. Yesterday was the first day that I'd experienced their bite and cannot say that I'm fond of it. Opa was planning on hiking with Sasha and Brian, so I headed out with Michael at 6:35 a.m.At 7:30 a.m., I'd covered 2.6 miles to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, though I didn't stop. A light rain began to fall as I hiked to the summit of Nesuntabunt Mountain, which I reached at 8:25 a.m. There was a short side trail to a view of Katadin, though the sky was clouded over, so I kept on hiking. At 8:30 a.m., I slipped and nearly fell, though I saved myself by resting on my left knee. At 9:00 a.m., I found myself walking along Pollywog Gorge and at 10:00 a.m., I arrived at an old bridge across Pollywog Stream, at which I stopped for a 5 minute snack and water break.Pushing on, I began hiking toward Rainbow Stream Lean-to. At 10:55 a.m., as I was stepping across a small stream, I slipped on a wet rock and tumbled, landing on my back. Cha-ching, fall #42. 10 minutes later, I arrived at Rainbow Stream Lean-to and stopped for a 25 minute break, treating water and eating a snack. By this time, the sky had begun to clear and I could see patches of blue.I left the lean-to at 11:30 a.m. and headed to Rainbow Stream Campsite, 3.8 miles away. I was surprised when I arrived at 12:45 p.m., as the trail had been a bit nasty in terms of roots and mud pits. I stopped for lunch and departed at 1:35 p.m. and as I left the campsite, I noticed a severe chafing sensation on my left hip and my backside. I did my best to adjust the suspension on my pack to minimize the discomfort.At 2:10 p.m., I passed the side trail to Big Beaver Pond and at 3:25 p.m., I reached Rainbow Ledges. As I walked across the ledges, I reached a clearing at 3:35 p.m., which afforded an excellent view of Katahdin. 10 minutes later, as I descended down the hill, I heard a "snap" and "crack" noise, so I looked to my right just in time to see a huge pine topple over. Wow!I finished the descent to Hurd Brook Lean-to, arriving at 4:35 p.m. I set out my sleeping gear, began treating water, and laid out my tent to dry. Once my water treatment was complete, I made dinner, after which I put away my tent and journaled before crawling into my sleeping bag to read.Today was my last 20+ mile day on this hike, which leaves less than 1% of the total length of the AT until I reach the summit of Katahdin. Tomorrow is a relatively short 13.7 mile day into Baxter State Park, where I'll be staying at The Birches Campsite, which is the final stopover before the 5.2 mile climb up to my long anticipated photo op.Bedtime at 9:50 p.m.