Date: 2005-09-01
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

No RAIN!!!! WE awoke to a somewhat better day. At least the rain had stopped and it appeared as though the sun was trying to come out. Another day of putting on wet socks and clothes. I'm not sure if our shoes will dry out before the end. We have yet to get trail magic in Maine but that changed this morning as we made if off the mountain. Bootz was first and he came up upon a bag with soda and another with homemade Whoopie pies. For those who don't know what those are, these were made with chocolate cake shaped like a round cookie. Then 2 of them are sandwiched together with vanilla frosting. Pure heaven and at such a great time after all the tough stuff we'd been through the past few days!We made it down to the next river and we were not too surprised when we found that it was very swollen. Probably 2 times its regular size. Bootz, Big Foot and Get tied our bear ropes together to made a safety line. Bootz started out across the river to try and get the line to the other side. He made it to about half way when the line ran out. There was no way we'd have enough rope to get across. There was no hope in getting across this river. We'd have to find an alternative route. Luckily we were now hear an area that had some logging roads where day hikers would sometimes come to hike a nearby area that was very pretty. So we hoped to maybe run into someone with a car. Our only other option was to walk several miles to a better area to cross.We met a guy who was willing to shuttle us down the road to a location that appeared to have a bridge that would take us to the other side and meet up with a trail that would wind back to the area on the other side of the river. He took 3 of us and the rest stayed behind. Then another couple arrived and we chatted with them awhile. They suggested a different route in the opposite direction. So the rest of us headed that way. We sent word with the other guy to our friends that left first that we'd be heading another way. We were able to avoid the river and hook back up with the trail. We just had a small stream to cross but nothing too serious. Since the weather was better and the trail conditions had improved quite a bit, Bootz and I decided we really needed to get a full day of hiking in in order to make up for lost time. WE had our last set of big mountains (over 3K feet) to climb and even though I wasnt' thrilled to do so, I knew that was really the best thing to do. So we got to work and eventually made it to the top of White Cap mountain. I was worn out but so happy as we started down to see off in the distance Mt. Katahdin for the first time!We got to the shelter around 6:30. I had been listening to my radio and had heard how bad condtions were in LA and MS. Also about the raise in gas prices. I mentioned to Bootz that it would be nice if we could call Mom and my brother Bull to talk with them about not driving to Maine! My goodness, the expense and possible trouble with finding gas. I remembered that our friend Gel had a cell phone and when we got to the shelter I asked if he was able to get service on the mountain. He said yes and said we could use is phone to call my Mom. So I hiked back up the mountain (didn't I just say we had climbed our last mountain guess not!) and was able to get reception. I caught Mom just as she was on the phone with Bull talking about the same thing. They had already discussed changing plans and flying up to ME instead of driving. So I shared our thoughts and as much info as I could before the phone went dead. We'll have to wait until Sunday to see if their coming or not. Things turned positive today and we shouldn't have any trouble making up the lost mileage. The weather is going to continue to improve and we're on track again to finish Sept. 6