Date: 2013-07-31
From: West Chairback Pond

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 13.9

Today's hike included some pretty tough climbing, Third Mountain, Fourth Mountain and Barren Mountain. After Mt Katahdin, a very hard climb, the trail levels out for the most part, for the next 55 miles. Then, the mountains get progressively more difficult through Maine and into The Whites of New Hampshire.The trail is rarely easy. But, climbing isn't the only hard part of hiking the AT. Negotiating streams is another difficulty. I play a slow game of hopscotch over rocks or logs to get to the other side. More than once, I have fallen in or, in shallower streams, gotten my feet wet. Wet feet are bad news for hikers. They not only make you feel miserable but, your feet are more prone to blistering and other maladies. Fording streams can be difficult, especially here in Maine. There are always rocks of every size and shape under the water. Although I wear sandals while fording, the rocks are very slippery and piled on top of each other and I have fallen in once while fording.Pitching your tent in a raging rain storm is also difficult. But, when it's raining and there is no other shelter, it must be done. Wet gear, sleeping bags and clothing, are other things hikers hate to deal with. Descending vertical or very steep rock scrambles or cliffs is the hardest part of hiking the At, in my opinion. It is physically and mentally draining. Every single step is very tentative. There is almost always an aggressive path or a more conservative path, hiker's choice. I usually take the conservative path. But, on days when things are going well, I'll find myself getting more and more aggressive, like the young stud hikers. Then, I fall. And, I remind myself that I'm a 64 year old senior citizen and I quickly get back to the conservative approach.Of course, the good things about the AT far outweigh the difficult tasks. The people I meet are so interesting. Every hiker has a story and some of them will blow you away. The feeling of comradery is unique because all hikers have common goals. It's the hiking from point A to point B and all it entails, that makes each hiker's story interesting.How about the magnificent scenery. The majestic, panoramic views from the mountain tops. A morning sunrise over a Maine pond accompanied by the lyrics of a loon. A red sun setting behind a mountain peak. A mamma bear with her cubbies waddling behind her. The wild flowers along the trail. A full moon you can reach out and touch. The deafening silence in the forest early in the morning before the birds begin to sing. How fortunate we are to experience these wonderful overtures in nature.The little towns and villages all have stories to tell, some tantalizing and some sad. The people in the towns like the Jewish man in the Caratunk post office who, laughingly, called me Johnny Reb. He then told me about a Jewish man who held high office in the Confederate hierarchy who celebrated Sader, the freeing of Jews from bondage in Egypt, with his family while owning many of their own slaves. Then, he gave me a ride to the hostel in Caratunk.My hike ends this evening at Wilson Valley Lean-to. And, guess who's there, my old friend, Punkin' Pie. We hiked together when snow was on the ground and I really enjoyed hiking with him. We made several towns together, too, which was a lot of fun. When I had to leave the trail, Punkin' and I got separated. Mott, from Sumter, SC, was hiking with Punkin' now and they were really excited about finishing their thru-hikes by summiting Mt Katahdin in a few days. It was good to see them.CONGRATULATIONS Punkin' Pie and Mott!!!Another good ends on the AT.Sandman69 signing out for now.