Date: 2017-07-31
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Horns Pond Lean-tos, ME
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

7/31/17, Horns Pond Lean-tos, MEMiles hiked: 1688.8, Miles to Katahdin: 183.1, Miles to go: 501.0Today was a fun and tough day on the trail. I was on the trail by 6:15 AM because I knew I had a long day with lots of climbing planned.  I once again awoke to clear skies and dry conditions, which was good because I started out immediately climbing over Spaulding Mt. The climb up and over Spaulding proved to be pretty tame. Likewise, the climb over Sugarloaf Mt wasn't too bad, since we didn't actually climb to the summit. The descent to the Carrabassett River proved to be a little steeper and rockier, though. At one point, I stepped on a rock which turned under my foot, sending me to the ground. I went down hard on a pointy rock on my left quad, causing a deep bruise. I expect it's going to be pretty stiff in the morning. I wish I could adequately describe the trail conditions in Maine. Words like rocky, rooty, and boggy don't adequately capture the true nature of the trail. It is the most physically demanding thing most of us have ever done. All of us take multiple spills every day. I am surprised that more people don't get seriously injured, to be quite honest. After crossing the river, I started the long and steep climb up South Crocker Mt. Part way up the mountain, I met up with Misplaced, a 30 year old woman I had previously camped with before. She's a member of the Fellowship and apparently got her name due to her penchant to lose things. We ended up hiking the rest of the afternoon together. It was fun to hike with someone else again. Our interesting conversation made the traverse of the Crocker Mts go a little faster. On the descent of North Crocker Mt, the sky decided to open up on us. It was a brief but hard shower that left us completely soaked. The road to Stratton, ME, sat at the bottom of the mountain. Misplaced was contemplating hitching the 5 miles into town and grab a burger and pick up a couple of things at the grocery. The problem was that we had already hiked over 13 miles and still had over five miles straight up the South Horn of Bigelow Mt to go. She decided that when she got to the road, if she could get a ride within five minutes, it was a sign she was supposed to go to town. Before we reached the road, she stepped into the woods for personal business and I continued on. When I reached the road, there was a man in a van dropping off two hikers. He asked if I needed ride to town. Score! I really hadn't planned to go to town; but, when someone offers you a ride, you don't pass it up. When Misplaced stepped out of the woods, I told her that she had gotten her sign. It was a quick ride to town. When we got there, the man had us sign our names on the side of his van with a Sharpie. Apparently, he just likes helping hikers. We then went to the White Wolf Inn and had second lunch, followed by a quick trip to the grocery, where we ran into Yogi and Bearslayer resupplying. I knew that getting back to the trail would not be a problem since I was hitching with Misplaced. As soon as she stuck out her thumb, a truck stopped for us. In many regards, thru hiking is more difficult for women; however, hitch hiking is one area where they have a decided advantage.We were back to the trailhead before 5:00 PM. Our trip had been very efficient. When we reached the trail, we met up with Odin and 4 Wheel Drive, two other members of the Fellowship. They had just gotten caught in a hailstorm that we managed to miss while in town. The four of us then started the five mile climb to Horns Pond (I still haven't gotten used to the idea of ponds on top of mountains). The trail started out muddy, but mild. It soon went nearly vertical and the four of us started to spread out as some were stronger climbers than others (I wasn't at the front of the pack, if you were wondering). As I was huffing and puffing my way up the mountain, it occurred to me that I would never again be in a place in my life where I would be physically fit enough to hike over 13 miles, casually decide to hitch into town for lunch, and head back out and hike another 5.1 miles straight up the side of a big mountain. Was the climb up the South Horn of Bigelow Mt tough? Hell yeah, I was tough! But that's the point, we are all in such good shape, whether we are 20 or 60 years old, that we can hike like this. Unfortunately, this level of fitness is fleeting. When we return home and quit hiking 20 miles a day we will lose our hiker legs (and pulmonary system to go with them). I finally arrived at Horns Pond around 7:30 PM. Horns Pond actually had two lean-tos. I am in one lean-to with Odin, Yogi, Bearslayer, and a section hiker. The other lean-to has all the other members of the Fellowship. It was a tough day; but, a very good day. Tomorrow, we will finish off the Bigelows and pretty much be done with all the big mountains.