Date: 2015-08-05
From: Campsite mile 2094.9

To: Campsite mile 2131.8
Miles today: 36.9

No rain last night so it was nice to pack up a dry tent. I camped on a bed of pine needles so my tent was not muddy either. I hung my hiking clothes up to dry but they never do. They are chilly to put on but warm up quickly.I was hiking by 5:45, a little late but better than a town start. Saw lots of people on the trail. Some were people I knew that left Shaws Hostel a day before I did. I had a far off destination so I did not talk to many people. The trail puddles were mostly gone from the previous days rain. There was still lots of hail on the ground from the previous day. More than what I had experienced a few miles back.There was a river that required fording. I remove my shoes and cross barefoot. A family of four section hikers just walk in in their trail shoes. The young boy says his shoes are already wet so there is no need to take them off. It feels good to me to was my feet off in the River and not to walk in squishy shoes. But that almost dry shoe feeling is short lived. Today's T-storms crank up about 3:00 with plenty of thunder, very small amount of hail but much cooler than the day before. I have big mile plans so I hike on. There is a pretty big mountain range of four progressively higher peaks. The higher I go the cooler it gets. The last and highest peak is White Cap Mountain, elevation 3,650 feet. As I start my climb thunder over the mountain said to me in a loud clear voice, "White Cap is closed, turn around." I ignored the advice and hiked up and over the cloud covered, windy summit. On the top I yelled a loud "Hello White Cap, it is good to see you". All I got was stronger winds as I passed to the other side of the mountain.I was very chilly as I was soaked, no gloves and hiking in my shorts and SS T-shirt. The elevation would soon be less than 1,500 feet, much warmer and little wind. It had stopped raining and the sun was out again. My destination was Cooper Brook Road where my last two days of trail food was waiting for me in a white bucket, I hoped.I warmed and dried as I descended from the mountain. I was reenergized from the warming temps and having passed the last challenging mountain, save for Katahdin. I looked forward to getting my last trail food and hiking several hours in the dark to close in on My Final destination.I found the food bucket stash with six empty buckets in it. Bummer. The drop had not been made yet. I wasn't mad as I expected this to happen. There was supposed to be cell service and I had a number to call. I walked the road for ten minutes each way . No service. No help. No food except a granola bar and six-pack of Oreos I was saving.I had been thru here last year so I knew where to get phone service. It was 3 to 7 miles down the trail. No big deal. I planned to do this night hike but with food. I would contact the person responsible and have them drop my food to me first thing in the morning. That would be reasonable. You do not leave a hiker stranded in the middle of the 100 mile wilderness. I hiked until about 11:30. I felt good. I only fell once and that was when I was looking around at a campsite I stayed at last year. All full. Stepped on a slippery root and went right to ground. Messages left. Numerous calls made with no answer. Strange. I called the cab company in Millinocket to check for service. Then I make early check in arrangements at a motel. I called the cab company and they were at the pick-up point just prior to me. I had to pack up and walk 1.5 miles. There was a bag of trail magic by the road. Fruit and beverages. I had a banana.Got to the motel and got a room before 9:00 am for a small fee. Did the usual town chores. Finally got in touch with the food drop person. It was all just an unfortunate chain of events. Everything was explained, understood and a driver dispatched from Millinocket to drive the three hour round trip to get my bucket of food that was just dropped this morning. An offer to help cover additional expenses I incurred. I declined. The sincere apology for the situation was enough for me. I have my food and will return to the trail at Jo-Mary road in the morning and hike on to Katahdin. It has been another unique trail experience, part of the journey. 56 miles to go. Sleeping in a bed tonight and a hot breakfast tomorrow.