Date: 2023-07-17
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1

Note: I completed the AT on July 23, and am just now, in October 2023, getting around to adding in my trail entries for the last 11 days of my journey.I rose around 5. I got things ready, wrote journal entries, read and waited around for breakfast at 7, which included two fried eggs and strips of bacon, quarter plate of home fries, and AYCE blueberry pancakes. I had five pancakes, which was probably more than anyone else had. Then around 12-15 of us thru hikers got into the shuttle around 8, headed to NE 15. He gave us the send-off, took our picture, and away we went around 8:30. It was a lovely sunny day with no sign of rain after a long day of rain yesterday. Along with the woman from the ATC Visitor Center, he warned us about three stream crossings that could potentially be unsafe, and advised us to take the high water alternate routes sanctioned by the ATC for completing the trail.It was not long before my feet were wet. Even what would be a hop normally now required a brief ford. And mud was sprawling across the width of the trail several times for about 100 feet. I enjoyed the scenic water flow, though.I passed Leeman Brook Lean-to around 10, only 3 miles in. Between the water crossings and my heavy pack full of too much food, I was not making good time. I passed a few pretty ponds, then made it to Little Wilson Falls around noon. The falls were raging, consistent with the 800 cfs figure I got from the guy from Shaw's this morning.Curious about the crossing, I headed down to the first major ford. It looked pretty sketchy, but not as bad as the ford across the south branch of the Carabassett River after the previous deluge of rain last week. There was also a rope tied to two trees across the stream. I decided to give it a shot. It was tough, and the current was strong enough to make me lose my balance, but I was able to get a hold of the rope again and make it across.I continued on, and around 1, I took a break at a little overlook, while airing out my drenched feet. Shortly after I started again, I ran into Groot (not Brute, as I mistakenly referred to him in previous posts). There was another NOBO hiker he was talking to, who was returning back 2-3 miles to take the high water route. He said that while Little Wilson looked sketchy, the Big Wilson stream crossing was even sketchier. That did not sound good. Yet, Groot kept going north. Dumb and adventurous as I might be, I continued north as well. Groot had crossed the Carabassett River the same day as I did, and didn't appear to have an issue.In about an hour, I was at the Big Wilson stream crossing. Groot was there too. He had already crossed Big Wilson partially without his pack before I arrived, but he returned... a testimonial for how slowly I was hiking. He was annoyed that a rope connecting the two sides of the crossing had broke, or been cut. He started across with his pack, and I watched him as he struggled against the large rocks in the stream against a swift current much like the Carabassett River crossing. He made it across after 5-10 minutes of deliberation on where to put his feet at each step.I started across. I tried facing the current for stability. That worked fine at the start, but as the current got swifter further into the crossing, it was clear I would be knocked over if I kept trying that. I tried to mimic Groot's moves across, and he was shouting and moving back into the stream to suggest where to put my feet. I was making it across further, but then slipped. I was being carried downstream a bit, an clinged with dear life to one of the slippery rocks. Groot rushed over -- carefully -- and got me stabilized on the rock. The worst of the current was still present, but I was just a few steps away to the other side. I carefully took those steps and made it. I was full of adrenaline and shaking. I thanked Groot for possibly saving my life. He headed off, then so did I. I took a break near the Wilson Valley Lean-to just ahead around 4.The next four miles were not bad. It was wet and steep, but compared to the fords, it was nothing. I had to ford the scenic Vaughn stream, which was tough, but less tough than Little Wilson.  Then I forded Long Pond Stream. There was another rope across. This crossing seemed a bit tougher than Little Wilson. I got across around 6 or 6:30.I finally arrived at the Long Pond Lean-to around 7. The Floridian section hikers I spoke to last night were there. I set up mu tent. A kind SOBO lent me his lighter, as mine was completely wet after my pack was submerged during the Big Wilson crossing. I finally headed to bed around 10.