Date: 2015-09-01
From: Not-so stealth camp just south of Unnamed Gap

To: Little Swift River Pond
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

I think this is the latest I have arrived in camp during the entire hike. Not that I know exactly what time it was, but I do know it was close to 7 pm.I can barely see what I'm doing inside my tent by 6 am (and this is with the rain flaps open), and it was fairly cold this morning too, so I didn't stir much before 6. Tonight is much warmer so maybe I'll be able to drag myself out of my tent a bit earlier tomorrow. Even though I took the time to make tea and sit down for breakfast, I still left camp at 6:50.It immediately became clear that I had actually camped at Unnamed Gap and not half a mile south like I thought, because I started climbing right away. I have not corrected the mileage since it's all the same after today, but technically I did a bit more yesterday and a bit less today.The climb up Bemis wasn't too bad but I was bummed because I thought I missed the blueberries somehow. I thought they were just south of the summit but it turned out to be just south of the shelter, a bit further on. There were oodles and oodles of blueberry bushes and I sat down for ten or fifteen minutes to get my ration of anti-oxidants for the entire hike. Shortly after I took another break at the shelter and read Gary's guest entry and the responses. I had some trouble finding my way back to the trail because I hadn't realized I was on a blue blazed trail to the shelter at first. Eventually I figured it out and continued on towards Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to. This section was the hardest of the day and took a long time. I stopped at Bemis Stream which was listed as a ford. The water was actually low enough to rock hop, but I took the opportunity to soak my feet while I had lunch. From the stream it was a steep uphill to Rt 17, which was supposed to be the start of the promised land, trail-wise. There was a great view at the road, but sadly the climb continued. The trail was pretty good though, so that helped. Still, it took me several hours to get to Sabbath Pond from Bemis lean-to. There was a very small sandy beach at Sabbath Pond and I waded in the water for a bit. With only one set of hiking clothes, I didn't want to swim because I'd be cold wearing wet clothes. Also on this section I ran into Solo and Cindy Lou, who are hiking with the Doyle group. Cindy Lou had been asked to keep an eye out by Bama since she knew I was in this area too. It was fun to run into her, and Bama by association! (Hi Bama!).I contemplated stopping at the shelter, but decided 4 pm was too early, plus I liked to get more miles done for the day. So, I ate a snack, filled up on water in case I didn't make it to the next camp site 4.6 miles up the trail and started the last section of the day. Fortunately this was also the easiest trail I'd seen in a while and I made quite good time. I did see a possible stealth site but it was very close to the trail so I resolved to just make it to this camp site. The weather was very nice today, and good for hiking late. Sunny and still, unlike yesterday when it was windy and looked as if it could start raining any minute. It was still fully light when I arrived but by the time I set up camp and was eating dinner, dusk had set in, and I am writing this in the dark.I am pretty pleased with myself for making it the additional 4.6 miles from Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to so late in the day, and for getting 17 miles in. I can't remember the last day I had more than 15 miles, but it must have been before the Whites.Tomorrow I head into Rangeley. Originally I was going to stay there, but I think I might try to go in, resupply and go back. The only problem is that the town is 9 miles from where the trail crosses the road, so I hope I can arrange a shuttle without staying at any lodging. We shall see!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?