Date: 2014-07-23
From: Unnamed Gap

To: Little Swift River Pond
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Today could have ended better, but it's all part of the experience. I know I'll look back fondly no matter what. Woke up to a fantastic morning. A solid ten hours of sleep last night. I even caught myself snoring around 7pm when I was just resting my eyes. Up around six and didn't do any of my normal "just one more hour routine". I was up and ready. Pop tarts and honeybuns await! I think I left camp around seven. There was little to worry about today. A small climb in the morning and a bigger one in the afternoon but the rest was flattish or downhill. Of course I've learned that "flat" or "downhill" is a relative term. The book might show one thing but the on the ground condition is usually much different. It's going to be hot today. And if memory serves there's a prediction for thunderstorms today and rain the next two. Not thrilled by that but it has to rain sometime to keep everything so green. The morning hike is up to the top of Bemis Mt which is barely above treeline and had ok views then a gradual downhill all the way to Bemis stream about five miles later. I'm super ready for the rocky downhills to start winding down. My knees had a little too much if that in the Whites and haven't quite recovered. The sentiment seems to be universal with my fellow hikers as well as the one that the Whites wore everyone down. Everyone's enthusiasm for mountains has waned and I think most of us are upset that we just can't do those big miles anymore. Well not without serious pain and suffering. Fifteen seems about normal now due to the lingering terrain and good thing as I need 14 a day to time up with Debbie. Bemis stream is the first of the rivers you have to ford. Most others are either bridged or easy to just pick your way across. I get there and am not sure why they mentioned to ford it. It wasn't difficult to just walk across boulders really. The heat is pretty good right now so I plop down in a little open area, filter some water, and have lunch. I even got my thermarest out to lay on which I never do so I guess I need a nap. It's really hard for me to linger when I know I have the big uphill next so the rest is short lived. About three quarters of the way up is Maine 17 which has a commanding view of the area. There's a beautiful big lake near where I just was and an unfortunate line of darkness moving in. What to do. From here I have to go at least four more miles to the next shelter, or if I'm feeling good, another four to a campsite at a pond. Maine, as isolated as it feels, is really good at signing the trail. They have it divided up into 15 or so sections of about 15 miles each and at the beginning of each section is a nice print out of all the conditions - water, terrain, mountains, etc. This is a new section (9) and it says "relatively gentle". Directly opposite of everything up to this point. I'm doing it. I'm going to the campsite. And they weren't lying. For once I could WALK whole sections of the trail. What a relief. There is still the occasional rocky climb or mucky bog but finally, the trail I remember. And even better who comes up behind me but Deep Blue?! I haven't seen him since Pennsylvania I think, and he's the only other hiker I've seen today. We caught up and he reiterated about the rain. He was just dropped off at the road about a mile back so he's full if energy and off he goes. Made it to the shelter in no time with this easier trail. It's on a big beautiful pond and I'd love to stay. There's even a little sandy beach. But my campsite is on a pond too so I'll have my swim. Or will I? About a mile into this 4.7 mile hike I hear it - the first rumble. No!!! I never seem to be in the clear with the rain. Rarely am I close to a shelter to hide out. Never am I near the big rock overhang I remark on when I hike by that that would be great in a storm. It's narrow rocky trail with a lot of ups and downs so no flat areas off to the side. I look everywhere for a stealth site. Frantic! Well it starts raining and in ten minutes I'm drenched so might as well just keep walking to the camp. Ugh. Wet again. It's not the worse thing, just so annoying. There is lots of thunder but it always sounds a little distant so that's good. Once it starts raining it always takes somewhere between an eternity and infinity to get to your destination but I finally made it. It's a full house of people hunkered down but I found a spot and fumbled with getting my tent up in the rain trying to keep it dry. Not easy. Then pulled everything out if my pack and threw it in. Slid off my shoes then slipped in and got all those wet clothes off which are currently "drying" on top of my pack. The rain really hasn't let up and the lightning and thunder just continue on but I'm now safe and sound in my tent with dry clothes about to eat my pasta side. I even cooked in the tent which is some sort of serious no no but all came out ok. Twizzler taught me a little trick - you always have extra water in the mix. He throws in a little mashed potatoes to soak it up and give it all a little more weight. I'm trying it. Looks hearty!