Date: 2017-09-29
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Stealth Campsite by White Brook Trail
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

9/29Chairback Gap Lean-to to Stealth Campsite by White Brook Trail14.8 milesTotal miles: 2116.1I heard the wind blowing in the trees all night long, and I awoke to a chilly, windy morning. I got up at five and broke camp by the light of my headlamp. The wind was so strong that I needed to weigh my tent down with rocks as I folded and then rolled it up. I was on the trail by 6:45. Today was another mountain day. The first obstacle was coming down from Chairback Mountain. The trail passes through a rock slide of huge boulders, and I spent a challenging half hour scrambling down through this boulder field. The trail became more normal after that as I hiked on to the West Branch Pleasant River. The wind died down, and it became yet another perfect hiking day. There was no way to rock hop across the Pleasant River, so I again prepared to ford it. The water only reached about half way to my knees and was very cold. It was crystal clear, and I was able to see where to place my feet. The guidebook warned that it was a wide ford with a slick, rocky bottom, which proved an accurate description. I crossed without incident and was soon hiking on. The ascent of Gulf Hagus Mountain was long but not too steep for the first four and a half miles. I ate lunch by Gulf Hagus Brook with several other hikers, including Tengo, Jason and Maple, Boomer, Special T, Scout, Wiskers, and Dr. Gomo. It was fun sharing the camaraderie, made a little bittersweet since we all knew the trip was drawing to a close. The final mile of the ascent past the brook was extremely steep, as was the subsequent ascent of West Peak. Just past the summit of West Peak, I saw the letter K with and arrow (K -->) painted on a rock. I puzzled for a few moments as I looked in the direction of the arrow, and then I saw it. Still far in the distance, I had my first sighting of Mount Katahdin. It was quite a moment. I took a photo but couldn't get the camera to focus on the mountain, the view of which was sandwiched between two trees. I was lucky the sky was so clear that the mountain was visible from seventy-six miles away. I continued on up Hay Mountain which, while not particulary steep, was a long ascent. Not far past its summit, I arrived at a stealth camping spot near the AT's junction with the White Brook Trail. Tengo, Gravity, and I set up camp, cooked dinner, and prepared for the night. We got there at 5:45, so we had almost an hour before dark. It's quite chilly tonight, and I am wearing my puffy coat, hat, and gloves to bed. With their help, I am quite cozy. The first thing tomorrow, I will hike up and over White Cap Mountain and later in the day will do the same with Little Boardman Mountain. Those are the last mountains I will climb until the last day, when I summit Katahdin. I presently am less than seventy miles from its base, as my six month journey continues to draw to a close. I remain amazed and humbled at the beauty and vastness of nature as I pass through the Wilderness, but I am also excited about returning home to my family and friends. I'm sure most, if not all, thru hikers experience these same emotions.