Date: 2004-09-30
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: few clouds

Br-r-r-r ... was it ever cold last night! I stayed warm overall, but I kept my entire head and face buried in the bag, coming out for fresh air only as often as necessary. If the nighttime temps stay consistently cold, or worse yet, keep dropping, this is going to be one very ecstatic backpacker coming out of the woods for good next week! I wasted no time packing and departing camp this morning. I waited until the last minute to put on my still-wet shoes and socks. Once my cold footwear was on I beat my own record. I bid farewell to Ursa and tore up the trail, keeping my feet moving and revving up my body heat to keep my toes thawed. This was one of the few times I gave thanks for having a climb first thing in the morning!The lean-to sits at 930', Barren Mountain summit is at 2672'. That's a 1742' ascent in three miles and I was at the firetower atop the peak in 75 minutes. I was practically running and jumping up those rock ledges but it worked. By the time Ursa and One Thing caught up with me at the old firetower I was comfortable stripped down to my summer shirt and shorts once again. Numbness had departed from my thumbs and toes and I was ready to go for the remainder of the day. The sun was gleaming on the reddish-orange mountainsides we were viewing in a 360-degree vista and we agreed life was good, even after a 30-40 degree night in the woods. From Barren it was on to Fourth Mountain (2383'), then to Third Mountain (2065'), then to Columbus (2326'). We never determined the whereabouts of Second and First Mountains. We had the option of continuing another 2.5 miles to complete crossing of Chairback Mountain today but after evaluating the degree of pain in Ursa's knees and the extent of the day's weariness, we've decided to put our feet down here: an early end at 3:30. Last night we ended up cooking, eating, and cleaning up in the dark. That's never fun. So tonight we gave ourselves a break and time to enjoy the evening. I started a super campfire for all to warm themselves and for those of us needing to dry our footwear. Gather, Keytone, Mousebait, White Patch and Arms have moved on over Chairback before they end their day. One Thing, Two Dogs (with a nearly-healed elbow), Sheriff, Skywalker, Chuggs, Tripod, Ursa and I are taking up shelter space tonight. We are hoping Statler & Waldorf (previously known as Rob) shows yet this evening. He took a full-body dunk while fording Long Pond Stream today. That does NOT a happy hiker make! It's great seeing some of these people yet again before our final summit. I'm going to miss them greatly. Blue is a full day ahead. Rooney Tunes is three days ahead in a push to summit on his 21st birthday Oct. 4. Momma's Boy is 2-3 days behind and a whole slew of hiking friends from the Smokey Mountain era are 70 miles back.Statler & Waldorf just appeared. He tells us April Showers attempted a return but her injured ankle could not take the abuse southeastern Maine dealt out. That, combined with lousy rainy weather, forced her off the trail for good this year. I feel so badly for her. To get so close and not reap the end reward must be very difficult. If you are reading this my friend, know that Ursa and I are thinking of you and wishing you complete healing and best wishes. The trail awaits your return in the future.