Date: 2016-07-18
From: Nahmakanta Lake

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 17.4

Today was very much like yesterday, although I was happier putting in just 17.4 miles. The terrain continued on the gentle side, with elevations staying between 500 and 650 feet, and I reached my intended tenting spot and began to make camp by 4:00. While other hikers prefer to keep walking through 6:00, 7:00, even 8:00, I like to pitch my tent, unpack and complete my water chores by 5:00. Then, I can relax a bit before dinner and journal writing.   And, like yesterday, I took a dip after finishing my chores, this time in a stream besides my pitched tent. Again, the water was pleasantly warm. With this low-lying terrain and water everywhere you look, one unfortunate trail reality comes to the fore: bugs. In my posts to date, I have not risked uttering this four-letter word in the hope that my luck would continue to hold out. All through the south, I was very pleasantly surprised at the lack of bugs (and, for the most part, lack of heat.) With all the rain we had, I would have expected more of the flying, biting critters. Well, in my first two full days of the 100 Mile Wilderness, Maine is making up for lost time. I've certainly seen it worse, but it's still uncomfortable. Fortunately, it appears that the dreaded black flies have already run their course for the year. However, Air Mosquito has seemingly launched all of its assets, and, with the little buggers looking to refuel, I apparently am considered a "target rich environment." There are also these nasty larger flies that can do some real damage, as well as the no-see-ums, but the mosquitos are proving to be the most prolific attackers. In anticipation of the onslaught, I did a few things in preparation. First, before setting out, I sent all of the clothes in which I would be hiking to Insect Shield. This company treats your clothing with Permethrin, but does it in a way that lasts seventy washings, many more times than if you apply Permethrin at home. So far, I have been thrilled at the way my Buff headcover, in particular, has helped keep the bugs at bay. I also purchased a lightweight bug net from Insect Shield, again treated with Permethrin, which I deployed for the first time today. It was fabulous! Cool and easy to see through, it covered my head and neck and thoroughly repelled the bugs.Finally, I chose to bring Picaridin along as my bug spray. A DEET alternative, I primarily use it for my legs, and, so far, it seems to work "okay."While each of these has proven to be more or less successful, I have noticed that it really, really helps to simply keep moving. Continuing my Air Mosquito analogy, it seems the fighter squadrons prefer to land on stationary airstrips, not on a pitching and yawing aircraft carrier deck, which is what I must look like to them when I'm in hiker mode. But as soon as I stop, they attack from all angles. This phenomenon makes picking a place for lunch quite critical. Sitting down anywhere just won't do, and, today, I was quite fortunate. Around lunchtime, I found myself at a pond that had a lovely sandy beach, some shade and a good, stiff, breeze, which is the best remedy of all. I sat down for an hour and a half, much longer than usual, and relished the absence of bugs. I am hoping that as the trail gains elevation over the next few days, the bugs will lessen somewhat. But if that proves optimistic, at least I have the tools to defend myself.