Date: 2005-07-06
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I passed the 100 mile mark and what a day it was! For years, I have tried to come up with the perfect trail name. The name that I always thought fit, but was too negative, was ¢Walking Disaster.¢ Today, I earned that name. I am no longer ¢cruising!¢I left the lean-to at 6:15 a.m., knowing this would be a long, painful day. I made 2 critical mistakes early in the day. I missed a turn in the trail and forded Long Pond Stream in the wrong place. By the time I realized my mistake, I had put my socks & boots back on. Instead of immediately going back across, I tried to bushwhack my way up the wrong side of the river, hoping to find where the trail crossed. I struggled along for what seemed like forever before finally sitting down exhausted & studying the map. It was then obvious that I had to go back across the river, find the trail, and the correct place to cross. I was able to do this, but this is a challenging river to cross and I ended up crossing it three times! However, once I found myself and had myself back on track, I felt energized by the experience! Then, I realized that I had lost my watch! It must have come off when I was bushwhacking! So, I know I have lost time, I don¢t know how much time, and I have a long day and more serious fords ahead of me. On top of that, it is raining. The rocks, roots, and leaves that sometimes cover both are super slippery. I¢m already challenged and the day has barely started! Onward and upward! Actually, the rain is so very pleasant and the trail is beautiful. There was a nice mix of terrain. There is some scrambling over boulders, but there is also some smooth parts of the trail. I gave up on taking off my boots and find that walking in the wet boots is actually not unpleasant. My feet feel fine, but that darn ankle is just throbbing. I know it will be a long day. If I can make Leeman Brook, it is only 6.3 more miles to Monson and only 3 miles to the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness. That is my first milestone. I was very cautious on the slippery rocks, having many close calls when my foot or feet would slightly skid. I¢d like to say that I fell because the rocks and roots were so slippery, but that¢s not how it happened. The trail was overgrown with underbrush, but fairly level. I was moving at a fairly decent pace when BAM! I hit the ground with such force that my pack almost came up over my head! My foot had caught a low, broken off root that protruded out from the base of a tree. Those darn roots! These roots that have so often helped me by giving me a foot/hand hold as I struggled up a steep incline. It would have been worse had it not been for the branches of a downed tree that did break my fall to some extent. But, I soon find that my left arm will support no weight and I have great difficulty in just rolling to my side. With my right arm, I took a Cliff Bar out of my pocket, eat, and drink some water while I try to evaluate the situation. I have no choice, but to try to get up. I¢m in tears as I realize that I can¢t use my left arm at all. I can¢t even hold my left hiking pole! Let me digress from this drama to say a word about hiking poles. I started using poles nine years ago to take some of the stress off my weak knees. Poles were considered controversial. They tend to make noise as they click on rocks, poke holes in the ground, and scar the rocks. I had people make comments to me on more than one occasion like ¢Going skiing?¢ Now days, almost all serious hikers use poles. I don¢t think I have seen a single hiker on this trail, this trip without poles. I would have fallen many times had I not had them. I definitely feel handicapped without both poles.Anyway, I¢m up and moving slowly down the trail. I determine that my arm is not broken, but is injured. Gradually, I am able to use my left pole, but not without pain. I reach the crossing of Big Wilson Stream. This is a formidable river crossing that definitely requires two poles. I am not afraid of moving water, but it has been raining, the river is hip-high, and the current is strong and swift. Fortunately, I meet two guys crossing in the opposite direction who agree to wait until I¢m across before moving on. They are crossing barefooted and I actually make it across in my boots before they do. I¢m doing OK. The trail is lovely. The sun is beginning to shine through and the weather is cool. I come to the most beautiful rock ridge surrounded by evergreen trees and beautiful moss. It¢s a fairyland! I can just imagine little elves or fairies peering at me from behind trees. I try my cellphone again and reach Bob. He will meet me in Monson tomorrow. For now, I¢m nearing the end of my journey. But, I still have a long day ahead of me. I reached Leeman Brook lean-to at 6:54. Although I don¢t have cell service, the phone does give me the time. I had been on the trail for over 12 and a half hours with almost no break. I use my remaining water to cook my supper because I cannot climb down the ravine in front of the lean-to for water from the brook. I have the lean-to to myself, which is nice since I am able to spread out, organize myself, and clean up a little. I am ¢licking my wounds¢ as I have almost no part of my body that is without a cut, scrape, rash, or bruise! It is a cool night, but I am warm and cozy in my fleece shirt and socks. Tomorrow will have to be my last day for now. My body needs rest.