Date: 2004-09-09
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Cgrd/The Birches
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: moderate rain

September 9, 2004 ¢ Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground ¢ 9.9 milesIt rained most of the night, but not hard. It was nice to have the tarp to have breakfast under and pack up gear. Made a run to the camp store before we headed out and got a cream soda to have this afternoon. Signed in at the AT information board, just inside the park boundary, to cap at the ¢Birches¢. It¢s a site with 2-4 man lean-tos and 4 tent sites specifically for long distance hikers. It¢s 0.3 miles from the Katahdin Stream Campsites and Ranger Station. Hiked in the rain all the way today, so I didn¢t do any of the side trails to the falls or Darcey Pond. There wasn¢t anyone in when we went by the Ranger Station, so many of our questions about weather, payment, what to do if we can¢t hike the mountain tomorrow, etc. are still unanswered. We headed down to the Birches and were lucky enough to find one of the lean-tos empty. Hobbes, Cotton, Tapeworm and I settled in. We were all wet and cold so after setting up the tarp over the front of the shelter we all had hot lunches. Besides my usual crackers and peanut butter, I shared a Lipton Side, Cheesy Pasta and Chicken with Hobbes. I shared my extra Chamomile tea bags and we had a very civilized lunch. The tarp is collecting rain water so we have our own little water source. We¢ve all settled in for an afternoon nap / journal / reading time. The wind is blowing a gale.Tapeworm had commented earlier that he was glad he wasn¢t up on the mountain. Mad Hatter came by a bit ago to say that 5 of them (Reauchambeaux, T, Loosefoot, Samurai and him) attempted to climb today but turned back when they reached the table lands because the winds were so strong they couldn¢t walk into them and it was hard to breathe! I hope this is a front blowing through and it¢s calmer tomorrow. Otherwise we may not get very far. But better for the hike to end a day later than with sickness or injury. Interesting note: my body heat is enough to vaporize some of the water in my hair, but it¢s recondensing when it gets to the outside of my fuzzy hat. Saw 4 other guys headed for the Birches today. They cam from the Hurd Brook Shelter this morning. Apparently they¢re really fast hikers, started the trail sometime in May. Two of them were even going to try for Katahdin this afternoon. Probably not a good idea given the info from Mad Hatter. Could be a big group summiting tomorrow. Cotton¢s mom and sister came by and took him into town. He needs to summit tomorrow because he has a flight out Saturday. Flora and Fauna and Dharma stopped by. They¢d hiked from Hurd Brook. They were headed into town and are going to take a zero day tomorrow. Bilbo and Rainy Jay did make it to the summit but the wind was so strong they had to crawl part way. They have ripped rain gear, skinned knees and 2 broken hiking poles to show for it. It it¢s like that tomorrow I¢m going to follow Mad Hatter¢s lead and turn back. If it¢s really nasty in the morning Hobbes and I might opt for a zero in Millinocket too. The weather is supposed to improve Saturday and Sunday. The ranger came by to sign us in and take our $. We got most of our questions answered. Now all we need is good weather. Surprising that on a day seasoned hikers turned back they had it classified as a Class II day. Can¢t imaging what Class III would be like. Even if the trail was open, I think I¢d pass.