Date: 2014-08-14
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

Surely since it rained all night it can't rain all day...right? Turned out to be true except it rained on us all the time we were hiking. Feels like I got blasted with a Super Soaker almost 9 hours - yay August in Maine! But I made it to my destination and survived the constant wetness - hoping tomorrow is a day to dry out!This morning was spent checking the weather. Woke up at five thirty - still raining. Woke up at six thirty - still raining. Laid there half awake and half asleep until seven - still raining. The shelter started to come alive and people were just waiting for the rain to slow or stop - no one really wants to leave a dry shelter when they know they are going to get soaked all day. But we all clung to the idea the rain couldn't last forever - and we eventually all ended up leaving the shelter.This started off a series of what could be bad decisions. You've been warned.So like everyone else I suited up to face the rain - I figured I would go to the first.or second shelter and stop for the day. My biggest concern was wet feet so I tried to keep my feet dry by putting Ziplocs around the socks. Theoretically this should work and I was about to give it a real life test. With the feet protected I rolled out!With all the rain gear on and immediately climbing several big hills I was drenched in sweat from the get go - probably would have been better off not having the rain jacket on. I took it off eventually when the rain slowed a little - felt much better. The Ziploc bag idea worked great until the Maine trail builders forgot to put drainage points in some spots along the trail - several sections of the trail were nothing but water! As soon as I hit the first of these deep spots the bags were useless and my feet got wet.Throughout the day I was amazed at how much standing water was on the trail! The trail ran right through spots that looked like they flooded constantly and with all the rain last night and the continued drizzling all day it only got worse. The trail was basically full of lakes and ponds and streams - even if I had waited until the next day my boots would have gotten wet soaked from all the water.I still haven't figured out why I am struggling going uphill - it is really bothersome! As the day progressed I decided to keep pushing on until I finally got past all the big climbs in the 100 Mile Wilderness - then I can get some rest before the last big climb! The climbing today was not as rewarding since the rain and clouds made the summits foggy - no view of Katahdin from Whitecap Mountain today! I didn't loiter long at the top the wind and rain drove me off quickly - back to shelter!On the way up and down Whitecap Mountain I appreciated the MATC's work in putting the rock steps in along the trail - it definitely made the walking nicer but it also makes cool little waterfalls throughout the trail during rainstorms! So much flowing water today - and it only got better as we went further down the mountain. Between the first and second shelter I literally walked through streams and ponds along the trail - good thing my boots were soaked I just walked through it all!Took my first break at the second shelter right before the East Branch of Pleasant River - you could hear the river rumbling from the shelter. Passed a SOBO who said he rock hopped it yesterday so I figured the water couldn't be too deep - boy was I surprised! Upon arriving at the river it was flowing pretty good and luckily Hass was around to show us the best path through the ford - it was an exhilarating fording with a bit of danger and waist deep water but no one died!We stuck around with Hass to help get High Loon and Cape across the ford and then the group started moving in waves. I went first before DFI came over since I was the second slowest hiker in the group and I charged on hoping to make good time to the shelter - I really wanted a spot inside just in case the rain doesn't stop! After the ford the rain picked up as I walked along and soon Cape and Hass caught up and passed me - I lost them while I struggled up one more climb! After the climb the trail was pretty nice and I did some good hiking to the shelter. And I needed to get there quickly - the constant soaking was causing some chafing! I kept moving until I finally made it to the shelter and got the last spot - woot! A long day in unfavorable conditions with some tough climbing, constant fording, and lots of water! But at the shelter I got into dry clothes and it was all right - another 19 miles down! And it looks like we are in for some flat hiking tomorrow - yeehaw!