Date: 2014-08-15
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: scattered clouds

First 30 mile day on the trail - and it happened so near the end of the trail! Still a pretty big accomplishment after hiking so many miles for so many days! And it was all after several longer days in the wilderness - can't stop me now!Woke up early just in case I decided to try the 30 mile day - left at 6:15 and quickly ran into DFI packing up his tent about a mile from the shelter. He had randomly found signal with his phone so I sent a text out to the family telling them my new plans to get into Abol Bridge early to dry out and rest. Kept on rolling and ran into Hass camped near Jo-Mary Road - he had found his food drop and enjoyed a great meal! I chatted with him about the day ahead and then went to look for my own food drop. I followed the instructions given by Phil from 100 Mile Wilderness Outfitters and I still had a little bit of a hard time finding the food box - he was right in saying that no one would accidentally find his food drop point! But I successfully discovered my food and enjoyed the trail magic soda he left for me - still have an extra days worth of food so I can eat like a king!With the new food in hand I moved on to my next stopping point - Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to. Throughout the walk I expected Cape, Hass, or DFI to catch up with me but I continued to walk alone to the shelter - perhaps they will catch up to me later. A break at the shelter revitalized me and it was time to walk some more!Shortly after the shelter I had my first views of Katahdin! As I approached Pemadumcook Lake I saw a trail sign listing a view to Katahdin - I had to look! I walked to the lake and looked around, thinking "I wonder if I can figure out which mountain is Katahdin?" And then BAM! Suddenly it appeared in my vision, in all of its majesty and glory. It seemed so massive and so close! Very impressive and soon I will be climbing the mountain to the northern terminus of the AT!After appreciating the beauty of Katahdin, I hiked on to bring me ever closer to the mountain. Nice walking mixed in with some tough trail and some points of confusion - I misread 1.6 miles to be 0.6 miles and was very frustrated when I wasn't where I thought I was when I should have been there! A quickly discovered the error at a break point and then felt better - at least I figured out where I was. It was hard to tell where I was since I was crossing streams and walking by rivers and going north and south and all directions and it all seemed the same!Eventually I ran into Listen and Squirrel resting at an unmarked spring - it had its own name but was not listed in the book! I think they have been slightly ahead of our group the whole time - I never saw them pass so they must have passed us later in the evening one day. Chatted with them before moving on - a man on a mission!Even though I was moving constantly throughout the day I still took in and enjoyed the scenery - loved walking by the water (instead of in it!) and seeing the occasional views of Katahdin. After walking on some beaches by a lake I made it to Wadleigh Stream Lean-to and took a sit to decide my next steps for the day. I was a little tired and my feet were hurting some but the rest helped and I was still aiming to get into Abol Bridge early tomorrow so I decided to keep pushing on! Not a normal response after hiking so long but I wanted to tackle the last remaining hills and the thought of my family coming to town pushed me on!The climb up to Nesuntabunt Mountain frustrated me at first because of the lack of energy and then randomly I switched it on and blasted up the hill! So good to have hit the high point and have mostly downhill walking to camp! At the top there was a good photo opportunity of Katahdin and the lake below so Listen took my photo while I took theirs - smile!From the mountain summit down I walked with Listen and Squirrel - finally nice to have some company since those other guys still haven't caught up yet! We talked about the trail and the future and it helped the time fly by - sooner than I expected we were nearing my destination (they were planning a little further since they had camped ahead of me last night). The walk along Rainbow Stream was nice and it was cool watching the water flow by quickly - it looked like a nice water slide but it would be a little rough on the behind!Also learned how a body of water is classified as a lake or a pond - if it can support plant life at its deepest part, it is a pond. Otherwise it is a lake. So it is dependent on size - just vertically and not around or horizontally!And then it appeared in my view - the shelter! After a long twelve hour day it was a much welcome sight for sore feet. I borrowed Listen's phone to send my parents another message before they moved on - thanks!The shelter was full so I set up my hammock and settled in - the hammock was much more comfortable than last night's shelter stay! I found Mr. Jingles in the shelter and said hi - he recognized me from the hat and asked where my dad was. I told him about Big Dawg's injury and his imminent return to the trail - the family is so close now! Once I finally started cooking the shelter occupants had turned in for the night so I talked with two SOBOs who were just starting their thru-hike. They were definitely still a little green and learning the ways of the trail but I gave them some advice and tips for their journey and the upcoming trail - good luck to them!With everyone in bed I quickly went to mine and read a book on Strange Maine - lots of little odd happenings around the state! Aiming for Abol Bridge or Millinocket tomorrow depending on if I can get a hitch!Common Spanish Phrase:Mi aerodeslizador est¡ llenas de anguilasTranslation:My hovercraft is full of eels