Date: 2009-09-05
From: stealth

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

I thought I had gotten most of the steep downhill out of the way last night, but I only needed to take a few steps to see that I still had a lot more to go... And there was no stream at the bottom of it like my guidebook had said. I started up Third Mountain and came to a little clearing where a couple was perusing the view. I decided it must be worth taking a peak, and I was stunned to see Katahdin! The man was pointing out the different trails to the woman, and sensing his knowledge, I asked him what he thought about descending Knife¢s Edge. I had it in my mind to take that path down. I didn¢t want to turn around and go back down the same path I had just climbed up. I wanted it to parallel my Springer Mountain climb. Plus, I heard that Knife¢s Edge was amazing! When I told Canteloupe I was going to do that, she warned me that I could not take my pack (which I also wanted to do) and that I would have to lie down on some of the exposed parts and make my way across like that! This man told me that I would be fine if the wind was not strong. He said there was only one little section (Chimney Rocks) that was a little tricky, but it would be no problem to take my pack. Yay!      I continued along and at some point in the distance, I heard something that sounded a lot like water... Could it be? Yes! I had reached a flowing stream! I was never so happy to see water in my life! I was now perfectly content! I crossed the stream, set my pack down next to a large rock, went upstream to collect some water, and then boiled some to make coffee and oatmeal. Another guy came along and didn¢t even stop. I wondered where he got his water from...      I reached Chairback Gap Lean-to (happily right on the trail) and found that someone had left two boxes of wine in the shelter- a big one of red, and a smaller of white. I wondered why! I sat down to read the registry and read the note from Whispering Pine about the whoopie pies that she leaves at the bottom of Chairback mountain. I had heard about these from the three southbound girls that I stayed at Madison Hut with and always wondered if I would get any... I would still have to see... I made my way down the rocks and had a bit of trouble finding the AT in the swampy water. I picked the wrong way the first time, and had to go back, realizing that I was indeed supposed to cross the swamp! In a little bit, I came to an excruciatingly slow section over a pile of rocks. Again, I started to veer off in the wrong direction, as I couldn¢t see any white blazes. But I found my way and continued along. Three men were resting off to the side in a wooded area, and they informed me the whoopie pies were waiting at the bottom of the mountain! Yay!They were in a cooler at the base of the tree near a logging road and there were an array of Sprites and generic Root Beers as well. I picked out a root beer and a whoopie pie and went to sit down on a rock. After a few sips of the soda, I felt a little ill. I looked at the side of the can to find that each can contained 44 grams of sugar! Gross! I hated myself for not being able to just let it sit there. Why did I have to take it just because it was there? I poured out the rest of it and ate the whoopie pie (which was at least homemade!).       Soon, I came to my next ford, and I was surprised to see several people crossing it in jeans and day clothes! There was a caretaker sitting on the other side of the bank. I took off my shoes, put on my crocs, and made my way across. As I sat on the other side, putting my shoes back on, more and more people in jeans came along! I had not seen so many people in the woods since Annapolis Rocks! The caretaker informed me that this was part of a popular 5.2 mile day hike. I had no idea the 100 mile Wilderness was so accessible! The path widened out ahead and the grade was gentle. It was a nice break, from the usual AT! Many people passed by, traveling south. Then, I took a right and headed back onto the AT I was used to- uphill and solitary. I had a three and a half mile climb until I reached the campsites for the Carl A. Newhall Lean-to. I really liked the area and contemplated staying here. I didn¢t see the shelter, though. I decided to cross the river and found the shelter up a hill and to the left. I read through some of last year¢s entries (new log books had not been brought into many of the shelters in the 100 mile Wilderness) and tried to figure out what I should do. I could stay here or continue 2 miles on to the Sidney Tappan Campsite. I decided to cook my dinner and head on. I still had a bit of energy left. I made my way up Gulf Hagus Mountain and looked up at the pretty clouds in the south. Then, I happened to see something that was the exact color of the clouds, underneath them. It was Katahdin! I was stunned. I stood there for a moment in grateful appreciation, wondering how many other people had seen this view. If I hadn¢t stopped to look at the clouds, I would have never have seen it.   Seeing this view boosted my spirits and gave me energy to press on to the last mile and a half. There was no view on the summit, but I didn¢t need one. I came to a grassy area, where several people were standing, bundled up, with their backs to me, in front of a tent. When they saw me, one of them asked me where I was going. He warned me not to continue ahead for the night (advice I didn¢t really need...). I found the path for the water and continued down, down, and farther down, only to find that it was a very small stagnant pool. Oh, well... I collected what I could and headed back up to the tent sites. This was a popular place tonight! It was not easy to find a spot to set-up. Once again, I raced to get everything done before the light disappeared, brushing my teeth in the near-dark just like the night before. I climbed into my hammock in the wind and cold, and heard another noise that I had not expected... loud snoring! Someone in their tent was not going to let me fall asleep!