Date: 2017-08-05
From: Long Pond Brook Stealth Site, ME

To: East Chairback Pond Stealth Site, ME
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

8/6/17, East Chairback Pond Stealth Site, MEMiles hiked: 1786.0, Miles to Katahdin: 85.9 Miles to go: 403.8The skies opened up shortly after going to bed and it poured most of the night. I stayed dry in my tent. The end of my quilt was slightly damp, otherwise, I was good. Some of the others weren't so lucky, with varying degrees of wetness. The We awoke to overcast skies, which stayed with us most of the day. The sun occasionally peaked out; but, generally, it was overcast and blustery until evening, when the skies finally cleared. The Fellowship had agreed to head out at 8:00 AM. I get the impression that they generally hike their own hikes during the day and head out whenever they get ready in the mornings. However, I think with the approaching end of the hike, many of them are hiking as a group, enjoying as much time together as possible. I headed out around 7:30 AM because I knew that I couldn't match their pace and they would all soon be passing me. Today's hike turned out to be pretty tough! It's as if Maine is reminding us that we aren't done yet. We climbed up and over Barren Mountain and the Chairback Range, which includes Fourth Mt, Mt Three and a Half, Third Mt, Columbus Mt, and Chairback Mt. None of the climbs were overly tough; however, the combined up and down of all the peaks wore me out. It was nice to climb back up on the ridge tops, though. That's where you get the incredible views. It's amazing to look out and see nothing but wilderness - no roads, no houses, no power lines. And the ponds are incredible! Huge ponds everywhere that do not appear to have been touched by people. - no boats, no piers, or any other evidence of humans. I hiked on and off with various members of the Fellowship throughout the day. Generally, I hiked alone; but, someone would take a snack break or stop to look at a view and I would catch up. We would then hike together for awhile.  I had lunch with Odin and Big Style atop Fourth Mt, where I laid out my tent and sleeping pad to dry while I ate. I spent the afternoon climbing and descending over the remainder of the mountains. I finally arrived at East Chairback Pond, where we had decided to camp for the evening, around 5:20 PM. By this time, the clouds had cleared, leaving sunny skies and cooler temperatures. After setting up my tent, I fixed dinner with everyone else. After dinner, I decided that a cup of tea was in order to help ward off the evening chill. Odin and Big Style decided that a hot cuppa sounded pretty good too. We took our tea to the rocks on the pond and watched a pair of loons fishing while the sun slowly set over the pond. It was a magical moment - a 53 year old guy sitting there with a 25 year old American kid and a 19 year old British kid, sipping tea. At that moment, we were just three thru hikers enjoying the evening after hiking a tough section of trail. We are all ready to be done with the trail; but, this moment wasn't lost on any of us. We realized what a special space out of time this was and that we would really miss moments like these when we all returned to our regular lives. I have really enjoyed the brief time I have spent with the Fellowship. They are a great bunch of kids. Actually, they aren't all kids. 4WD is a 50-something Hungarian man now living in FL. Wild Thing is a 45 year old school teacher from Stratford Upon Avon. He teaches 3rd and 4th grade. Misplaced is a 30 year old woman who has been working in a corporate office for a restaurant chain. All the rest are 20-somethings. Giggles and her brother Waldo, Feathers, Odin, and Scout (all guys) are Americans. Big Style and his friend Teabag are both British guys. We have one more tough day of climbing tomorrow over Gulf Hagas, West Peak, Hay and White Cap Mountains. We are supposed to be able to see Mt Katahdin from White Cap Mt. We are all very excited about the prospect of finally seeing Mt Katahdin. After tomorrow, Maine finally gives us a break and it is a pretty flat and mellow trail the rest of the way.