Date: 2017-08-03
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: East Carry Pond
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

8/3Stealth camped near east carry Pond beach at mile 2028.411.5 milesHow did it get to be August? It was just April a few days ago. I woke up feeling meh. Belly still kind of hurt and I had a runny nose. I considered staying at the lean-to today, but my site had a root running through it at hip level. And the mosquitoes were already out. Moodily I sat up and started dressing. At least it was warm enough not to be uncomfortable while I switched from my wool long underwear to my daytime clothes. Unusually for me, I packed everything and struck the tent before getting my food down from the tree. My pack is oversized for its current load. I've scrunched it down as small as I can and put the brain inside, but a smaller pack would carry better right now. However it will be just right in another month and change when temperatures start to drop and I want my warmer gear back. For breakfast I decided on all liquids due to my belly, but also high protein. I had reviewed my last few days of nutrition and realized I hadn't been getting enough. I pulled out my one remaining breakfast smoothie and made that (berry flavor) and drank iced, or at least chilly, coffee with my vitamins. Not Yet joined me at the shelter for breakfast. He was nice to talk to - low key and soothing to my grumpy morning self. Sadly I'll probably never see him again. He won't hit the south for a couple more months, and I hope to start south from Harpers Ferry in early September, weather permitting. The walk to West Carry Pond shelter was gentle. And steamy. I can tell it's hot out when I can wring sweat out of the hankie I use to wipe my face.I ran into Singing Sister and Mister Blister on my way. They're working on finishing their second section hike of the trail and they were pretty close to having achieved it. I wished them well as they continued south. It started thundering fairly suddenly while I was still miles from the shelter. Not your quiet rumble. It was a full on earth shattering roar. I was glad to be deep in the woods. I could barely even see the sky through the trees. It kept up until I got to the shelter. I ate a snack and waited to see what it was going to do. A downpour didn't seem to be imminent. I packed up and started walking north to try to find camping near East Carry Pond. Shortly after I left the shelter I was passed by a group of at least a dozen scouts headed for the shelter and I knew I had chosen right. I'm glad they're camping but I'd just as soon spend the night somewhere I can change my clothes without worrying about permanently damaging the psyche of impressionable youth. I found a spectacular stealth site and put up my tent at five. I grabbed a couple of liters of water from the pond. It's full of little green bits that I sincerely hope my filter will remove. I shoved everything into the tent and dove in after it just as the heavens opened up. I give myself an A+ for timing tonight. I hope my timing is as good tomorrow. The ferry crossing the Kennebec only runs until two pm. If I can't get there by then I'll have to cool my heels until the following morning.