Date: 2017-09-09
From: US 2/White Mountains Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter Tent Site
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

9/9US 2/White Mountains Hostel to Gentian Pond Shelter Tent Site11.8 miles Total miles:  1903.3I woke up at 6:00 this morning, which is late for me. The hostel serves breakfast at 6:30, and I was dressed and ready in time for waffles, coffee cake, bananas, and coffee. Kyle from the hostel was chef of the day and whipped up some mighty fine waffles. I got a chance to talk with him while he cooked and found out that he is also a published author. He writes science fiction and historical fiction under the umbrella title of Penny Punkers. His website is: Officialpennypunkers.weebly.com. His writing sounds very interesting, and I promised to check it out when I get home. I continue to meet so many interesting personalities on this trip. Full of a yummy breakfast, I hiked out at 7:30. Gravity, who took a few days off to rest and heal, accompanied me.  My goal was the Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite, 11.8 miles away.  The hike, while strenuous, was nothing like the Whites had been, and I made good time for the conditions. Along the way, I ran into Jabba and Buck, who I have not seen since staying at the Hiker Hostel on Old Railroad Grade Road in Roan Mountain, Tennessee.  A father/son team, they had flip/flopped in Pennsylvania and had just finished Maine going southbound.  To make up a section, they hiked northbound today. I called then flip/flop/flippers.  Jabba runs marathons, and we talked about long distance running while we long distanced hiked together this morning. I know how much I enjoyed having my children hike with me, so Buck is a lucky man, indeed. We ate lunch together on the summit of Cascade Mountain while taking in the view. I accidentally stirred up a hive of bees when I set down my pack, but they were not too rattled and none chose to get aggressive. The weather was sunny and cool today with only a brief, very light sprinkling of rain this afternoon. The long distance forecast calls for nice weather for several days, and I hope to take good advantage of it.  There were some steep sections of both ascent and descent today, but for the most part the trail was pretty good. There were also places of very deep, watery mud, with no way around. There are usually rocks and logs you can try hopping between, but sooner or later your shoes end up wet and muddy. There were also places where long lines of boards had been placed, where the bog was so deep you probably would sink up to your chest. These boards are also quite slick so care and attention are required while walking on them. I passed several lakes and ponds today. Dream Lake was particularly beautuful, and I hiked down the short side trail to get a better view. It was well worth the extra time. When I arrived at Wocket Ledge, there wasn't only a view, there was the number 1900 written out in sticks. I have now hiked 1900 miles on my way to Katahdin. Jabba took my picture standing by the number. I arrived at Gentian Pond Campsite at 4:15 and set up my tent. The water source was the pond, and I could see a beaver house out in the water. I carefully filtered my water and, for the first time this trip, added chemicals just to be on the safe side. I had Giardia once many years ago and am not in a hurry to give it a go a second time. I was leisurely preparing dinner when Gravity hiked in. Soon, many hikers arrived, and the tenting area is dotted with more tents and hammocks than I have seen in one place for a long time.  There are many familiar faces including Jabba, Buck, Medieval, Dove, Uncle Puck, and Dancing Bear, as well as Frodo, Samwise, and Gimli. There are several hikers I don't know by name. The shelter is taken up by a group of rowdy short-time hikers and their very cool dogs,  so all of the thru hikers are tenting tonight.  We are all funneling into Maine, which is presently only 4.7 miles away. It's hard to believe I will be in my last state tomorrow. As I mentioned previously, southern Maine is reported to be very challenging, and she wastes no time getting started. My goal tomorrow is Full Goose Shelter/Campsite, which is 9.6 miles north. About a mile and a half past Full Goose is Mahoosuc Notch, which is considered the most difficult and/or fun mile on the entire AT. The trail takes you through a jumbled pit of boulders and there are places where it is necessary to push your pack through small tunnels before wiggling your own way through. It is not uncommon for it to take up to three hours to traverse this single mile. Most hikers, myself included, want to tackle the Notch early in the morning. Mahoosuc Arm, a steep, challenging climb, immediately follows the Notch. There is then another shelter/campsite past the Arm. The total distance between the shelters is "only" 5.1 miles, but that will probably be enough distance for one day. Of course, all that fun won't happen until the day after tomorrow.  I did get some exciting news. Dapper Dan, Alex, and Billy all summitted Katahdin today. Dapper Dan texted me their summit photo. I'm full of pride and happiness for them, and it's exciting to see my friends start to complete their journeys. In some ways it seems like a long time ago and in other ways it seems like only yesterday that I met Dapper Dan as he set up his tent near mine on my very first evening on the trail. I met Alex just a few days later, and Billy shortly after that. Space Jam and Reed rounded out that first group of hikers that I spent nearly a month with. I'm sure Juan Gone will summit soon, and then, God willing, it will be my turn. I guess it really is a bit early to get all nostalgic.  Tomorrow's goal is to get into Maine and then to the Full Goose Campsite. As I've said so many times before, one day at a time. It's a bit chilly with a steady breeze blowing in the trees above.  I'm now going back to sleep to be ready for tomorrow.