Date: 2008-08-24
From: Gentian Pond Campsite

To: Halfway up Mt. Success
Miles today: 1.5

7:50am I'm sitting on the platform at the Gentian Pond campsite, up since 6am, but since we are planning "only" 5 miles today the departure time is between 9 and 10 am. Hence, puttering around, went down to the leanto site to get the food bags, made coffee with my new "microwave coffee strainer" (a couple $ at the grocery store), the sun is slanting in behind me, and AM and Certain seem to be still asleep. Nice morning. Hilly, rough site, with no real view of the pond, so I will make my way down there for a peek at some point. Kashi almond crunch cereal for breakfast, very pleasant. I'm sitting here in shorts, crocs, and sleeping shirt, quite comfortable. Dug the bearbag line out of my food bag and made a clothesline so the damp t-shirt and socks can dry a little in the approaching sun. Also the sleeping bag, which is not technically "wet" but accumulates dampness from body moisture in the night, and improves if allowed to dry out a bit before being crammed back into its stuff sack.Later: We got launched around 10, heading up and down some unnamed peak, and past a good stream for getting water, then began our way up the first flank of Mt. Success. By this time, Certain, who had warned us earlier about her stomach hurting, was clearly not herself, and agreed to turn back. She is a strong climber, and given to keeping a really good attitude in the face of adversity, but even with those considerable virtues, was tiring most uncharacteristically, and getting worse as we went on. The trail ahead was 3/4 miles of very steep climbing, and several more over the peak and down to the campsite at Carlo Col. Knowing what we knew from AM's recent experience with stomach distress, it didn't make sense to press on into the more remote part of the trail if things got worse.I am familiar enough with the AT and access trails in this area, and made a plug, instead, for backtracking the mile and a half or so to Gentian Pond and going out 3 1/2 more miles via the Austin Brook trail, which would set us onto the North Rd, not too far from the motel in Gorham. AM's car was there, and all we had to do was contact Karen to pick us up, or someone might be able to hitchhike back to AM's car. We started back, and on the next hilltop got enough cell signal for Certain to call Karen. Turns out she was in Massachusetts, with AM's car key...but as it worked out, it would take us as long to hike down to North Rd. as it would take Karen to drive back up, and so that was the plan.So, although our AT miles today were about 1.5, we ended up hiking closer to 7.5, with Austin Brook trail and then road walking a mile or so after having some confusion about where we came out on North Rd. I was so glad that Certain was able to hike out, although we took it easy, and our return route was mostly an easy downhill after the first couple of miles. You never know when someone gets ill or injured quite what the trajectory is going to be, and here's when good maps which include side trails come in very handy. Back at the Town & Country by 5pm, and Certain was able to get information about the local medical clinic, and an appointment for Tuesday morning. Given the Giardia possibility, she needs to get treatment asap in order to complete the hiking she intends to do for another month. If that's what it is, the prognosis is good. For me, this is the end of the hiking extravaganza, since I am back to work on 9/1. It is fairly easy for me to come out and do the two short sections of the Mahoosucs, perhaps on a weekend this fall, so it is not a big deal to have the hike interrupted in this way. I mostly feel bad for Certain, who does have a goal to meet, and I sure hope she will recover soon and get back to hiking. AM is able to stay a few days and see what happens, while I need to return home and get ready for my work life. After 6 months away, I hardly know how to imagine my work self! So, there might be more AT sections before the year is up - I will keep this journal open for that possibility. I would love to get a round 1000 AT miles this season...we'll see! There will definitely be post-hike entries, but I'm not quite there yet. One more night here in Gorham with my hiking buddies, and a heartfelt goodbye tomorrow when I head home to start picking up the threads of my other life. Whew!