Date: 2007-08-06
From: Bemis Mountain Lean-To

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I was pretty cold when I got there. I was soaked from the waist down and wetupstairs too. I most have gotten a little sun over the top. I looked down atsome point and saw my legs were red. But it went away. I don't know. Ifigured it best not to stop at the time and press on.I fixed some coffee and shared it with the 4 of us. I then cooked up my sparedinner of red beans and rice. I added olive oil aand powdered milk. I thinkthat made it a good 1500 calorie dinner.Shortly after that the french goup showed up. They were verbally happy to behere. The looked freezing. I noticed later that none of them had any rain gearon and they were soaked to the bone. One was crying nd looked a little bad. The leaders got her into dry clothes and a sleeping bag. I made up one of myinstant breakfests and gave it to her. It took awhike, but she finally warmedup. A few others took some of the drink too.I almost broke out my hypothermia kit. It consists of 2 extra large handwarmers and a space blanket that is actually a large sleeping bag you crawlinto. That with some warm drink will work wondes to heat you up. I think if Icould fully comminicate with them I might have. They looked to have everythingunder control. I also think that after she got in dry clothes and a sleeping bagshe was more shaken up than anything else.It was kind of funny. The 5 of us and 8 french girls talking a lot of frenchand lookig really cold. They finally changed into dry clothes and jackets andrain gear.After that 8 more northbounders showed up. The one that was here left when theweather broke along with 1 more, 2 are staying in the shelter, and 4 aretenting. All but the 2 french leaders are tenting. I am on the fence. Whichmeans I will end up in the hammock. For me it takes a deadicated reason toshelter. The hammock is way more comfortable. But man it feels cold out. Thethermometer on my pack said 52 eariler, but I could see my breath for awhile.On to make dinner #2. The northbounder here say the cabin is well worth it. $35 for everything nd 2 ayce meals. Really tempting.Well I ended up I my hammock of course. The rain really let up and now it isonly falling off of the trees. 2 other northbounder went in the shelter, butthe 2 french leaders tented. A few other northbounders are tenting really closeto me. One is even hammocking, although in a hennessy. I have yet to seeanyone using any other type. But those you are hammocking really seem to likeit. I think most other people who hike with someone that is using a hammock fora few days, want to try that route.To beat out the song this morning, jason was siting around playing sweat homealabama on the gaitar. When 6 of the french girls busted out a french version. It sounded really cool and serreal. I'm sure it had a completly Canadainmeaning, but it sounded good.We passed the evening by playing texas holden poker for food. Everyone throw ina snickers or other food item. There where 6 of us. First got all but 3,second got 2, and 3rd got one. For once I ended up in the money. I got 3rd. Iwould have got second but then I went in the 2 Jacks off the deal, the karl made2 kings on the river. I always seem to loose on the last card. I think Idowngreaded through. I throw in a snickers and walked away with some ceral bar. It was funny too. We were trying to decide what to use was chips. Stones andsticks were mentioned. Luckily someone wiser chimed in and paper chips wheremade. Its hard to look indimadating with a stack of paper in front of you.The french group where sitting arpund the shelter for awhile and cooked dinner. I mentioned something to clay about this. There where about 10 or so thru orsection hikers here, all of which where dressed in a lot of clothing or insleeping bags. One of the french girls around 14 or so was in a long sleeveshirt and her underwear. No one really cars about that part. But man she hadto be freezing. They must just be more used to the cold in Canada.Oh well on to bed. Andover tomorrow to pick up my mail drop. I'm still notsure if I want to stay or not. The price and the food sound nice, and it is inthe budget. So we'll see, which probibly means yes. I heard everything isgoing to get pricey soon, so I might make use of it. Someone said the hostel inGorhem, NH is only $11 a night. Hat is right over the border in N.H. I mighttake a zero day there or really short day. I really want to rest up for thewhites. They are a really hard mountain range in N.H. I cross. I may also neroafter tomorrow. It is only 8 miles to the road crossing. I think there is ashelter 4 miles or less after that road. If I stay the night, I may hit thetrail around noon and only go there. I have the hardest section of main left todo.Gear note.I didn't want to do it, but I am going to look for a pair of light hiking boots. My new balance trail runners are not cutting it. I usually wear a 12 4E forhiking. For some reason the 13 4E were the only ones that the width felt right. My problem is they are too long. I drag my left foot in the water when I amtaking my next step. My right one keeps getting caught on roots and sticks. Myissue with the trail runners is that I keep inpact hurting my feet. I split mybig toenail today when I ended up kicking a rock. I also tweaked my left anklea little. It feels fine now. But I do not want to be worrying about them thewhole way. I also had a few issues with the sole not being thick enough. Theinpack from my step on my toes hurt a few times too many. I thick if I can findbasically a high top shoe with a hiking sole I will be happy. I don't want anyleather, waterproof, or goretex anything. Or anything that weighs 5 lbs.I also think I am sending my compass home. 25 days and I have yet to use it. Istill have one on my watch, so it really isn't needed. I will pickl up a smallmirror in Gorhem. I don't shave on the trail, but I need something to help lookfor ticks.