Date: 2014-09-14
From: Baldpate Lean-to, Mile 1920.4

To: East B Hill Rd, Andover, Mile 1928.4
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Chilly morning! The other older hiker and I were up a little after 6:00. I had breakfast, packed up and was hiking a little after 7. The Sobos warned us this was a tough section and they were right! When I got near the top of the mountain, I came out of the trees facing a climb up a broad open area of solid rock up to the top, with the trail marked simply by cairns. On a warm, dry, no wind day I think the climb would have been a fairly easy walk, although steep. Today it was cold, wet, in the clouds with the wind blowing 40 to 50 mph. (Some hikers later said they thought it might have been over 50.) It took me quite a while to negotiate my way up, sometimes crawling on my knees to insure my feet didn't slip. In places, rime ice had formed on the scrub trees and signs at the top.Crossing over the top, it was a lot more fun! The wind would sometimes blow me off course, and even blow my poles to the side of where I intended to place them. Going down the back side wasn't as steep and I was soon back in the trees and out of the cold wind. I stopped at the Frye Notch Lean-to for an early lunch and to make plans for the rest of the day. I needed to go to Andover for resupply today. The first road crossing into Andover is at only 8 miles for the day, but the second one is 10 miles further. Based on my speed so far, it became obvious that I wouldn't make the second one before dark.Ajax came by for a quick stop at the Lewan-to and headed on ahead of me. He planned to hitch into Andover at the first road crossing to resupply, but to hitch back out and continue on today. I may not catch up with him again. I then packed up and had an uneventful hike to the road.I had a note in my AT Guide that I read somewhere that this was an easy hitch. I got to the road and wondered if any cars ever drove on it! After 15 minutes, a young couple in a jeep like car drove by but didn't stop. 15 minutes later, a couple of women in a mini-van that looked full of stuff in the back drove on by. 15 minutes after that a sedan came by and picked me up. It was a couple on vacation from Austin, TX! I tell folks that hitching on the AT is easy and safe because the locals know all about thru hikers and are eager to help them out. I never expected to get a ride from Texans on vacation in Maine!When I got to the Pine Ellis hostel, Tabasco was here! He had stopped at an earlier shelter yesterday, and when he started out this morning he fell and bruised his thigh. He had somehow gotten a hitch into another town, then hitched here to rest up. Also already here was Other, a Nobo who had slackpacked a section I'll do in two days. About 3:00, Tabasco and I walked over to Mills Market where I had a cheeseburger and fries. Delicious!A little later Mailman and No Rush came in, having stayed at the same shelter as Tabasco last night. We discussed our options for the next few days. Since it's supposed to start raining late tomorrow night thru midday Tuesday, Mailman, No Rush and I decided to slackpack the 10 miles between the roads and spend tomorrow night back here at the hostel. Since Tabasco is finishing the AT after having to get off trail last year, he decided to start at the second road and head north, coming back to get this section later. Tabasco and I went back to Mills Market for dinner. I had a large chef salad with chicken and salami on it - good to get some greens! Good to get some rest, too! Looking forward to an easier day tomorrow!