Date: 2016-08-04
From: East B Hill Road - Andover, ME - Mile 1,932.2

To: Stealth Site Before Bemis Stream Trail Sign - Mile
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: drizzle

Self-doubt about my ability to hike Maine's tough miles can be close to overwhelming at times. Poor Beth. When I spoke with her last night I was more than a little concerned about today's hiking plan. But today's hike was successfully completed as was hoped. I am confident about morning climbs. It's the afternoon climbs that concern me.The first climb was Wyman Mountain. It was 1,400 feet but spread over several miles so it wasn't steep. In fact, it was on trail we haven't seen for a while - dirt and pine needles. Rocks were there, but they were manageable and Subman, Suds, and I breezed through the climb. The 1,800 foot descent similarly wasn't a problem. My concern involved the rest of the day. Fortunately, we started hiking at 6:15 so we were done with the 7.5 miles of easy stuff by 10:30. Next up was Moody Mountain, a climb of almost 1,400 feet in 8/10ths of a mile. Elevation changes of 1,000 feet or more are considered steep so this was a steep one. In fact, it started with almost 1,000 feet in 4/10ths of a mile. I finished our food break and headed out by myself wanting to get ahead of Subman and Suds so that they wouldn't be held up my hiking slowly up the climb. Well, surprise. The Moody climb and descent came and went and were done by noon. We were all feeling good. I was very relieved and had the ability to call Beth from the summit so I let her know I was doing okay.I was well underway with the last climb of the day - Old Blue Mountain. The steepest part was done - almost 600 feet in 1/2 mile. Subman and Suds passed me while I was talking with Beth. Shortly thereafter I could tell I was hitting a wall. I was struggling and that's how it went for the final 1,400 feet in 2.3 miles. Old Blue Mountain crushed me. I still don't know why. I just know that it did.On the way up I had a "Fresh Ground" sort of experience. A southbound hiker passes us and then stops, turns around, and asks if the two in front of me are Subman and Suds. What can I say - I hike with celebrities. The southbound hiker's trail name is Blue. Blue also posts on trailjournals and recognized them from their photo on the site. Blue did say that we had more rocks ahead so I was warned at the time.Subman and Suds were kind and waited in the sun at Old Blue Mountain's summit. Mike from Canada came by southbound resulting in a few extra minutes of rest. When I stood back up I realized that I hadn't even taken this summit photo yet. Pretty sad - and unusual - it just showed how whooped I was. Subman found us a great stealth site that is big enough for our tents to be side by side. A few feet away is a small site that Old Fox was able to set his tent up in. Our hiking day was done by 3:30 and we'll sleep among pine trees tonight. It makes one feel like a hiker.So on the way up Moody Mountain, Subman was close enough to catching me to call out and ask whether I go to dog track races. I answered that I'd never been. Subman then told me of the mechanical rabbit that is used there and is chased by the greyhounds. Subman said he felt like a greyhound. It was a kind gesture. Subman and Suds can hike circles around me. But it made me feel good today - until Old Blue crushed me.