Date: 2018-08-27
From: Bald Mt Brook shelter

To: Piscataqouis River
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I heard the mystery tenter packing up when I awoke at 5:30. I had the contents of my tent packed and was outside it in time to say goodbye as he sprinted nobo up the trail. I could tell River was awake by the rustling but there was no sign of life over at Cribbage and Red Hawk's tent. I made my way across the stream and sobo to the privy grabbing my food bag on the way back. I packed up my tent and grabbed a log near River and had my breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. Then I stowed away my food bag and headed north. This morning was a climb right off which I knew in advance, up Bald Mt which is also known as Moxie Bald Mt because of Moxie pond down below. The mountain was definitely bald on top with lots of exposed ledge and cairns to guide the way. I got a cell signal and was able to say hello to Brian. Then the wind picked up and the clouds rolled over head and I started to chill so I moved on down toward the descent. I noticed a lot of barren blueberry bushes and bear scat so I kept on moving tapping the trekking pole that's missing the rubber tip on the ledge as I went along so I'd make some noise. Today was very humid so I was sweating even walking down hill. Once I was down from the mountain the trail rolled along the river going up and down. I don't understand why it can't stay down by the river or stay up above it. Why must it be constantly up and down? It just makes extra work and when it's up it slopes to the right so my right foot is in charge of keeping us from sliding off the edge all the time. There were lots of roots and mud and then I saw it.....like in my dream.....the long mud puddle with the clean rocks as far as I could see! The mud was dried out but the rocks....it was just creepy! I rock hopped thru as quickly as possible. Aside from Cribbage and Red Hawk and Dr Who I saw only one other nobo hiker today. River and I met at the Horseshoe Canyon Lean to and neither of us thought the site felt like home. Water was .2 away, the tent sites weren't inviting and the place was deserted. It was 4:15 so we decided we'd look for a stealth site reported to be .7 away and we set out. We saw a sobo couple headed to the shelter. They'll probably have it to themselves tonight. The stealth site was available and perfect. Right next to the river with a spot on each side of the trail for our tents. We set up and took turns at the river. I was so hot and sticky that I stripped down to nothing after filtering my water and sat right down on a submerged rock and bathed with my bandana. I don't know if any hiker walked by and saw me from the trail and I really didn't care. I was going to feel clean and refreshed before climbing into my tent. We made dinner and shared a log with a view of the river and then shared some trail brownies with coffee. We brushed and turned in for the night. I left one vestibule open so I'd have the fresh air and river view. Our bear bags were hanging nearby and I thought with the sound of the river I wouldn't hear any animals and it made me feel vulnerable to have the vestibule open. But I decided to change my self talk about instead and enjoy this beautiful opportunity. I'm looking forward to seeing the river when I wake in the morning. I've decorated the sapling on the other side of my tent with my laundry but with this humidity it's not likely anything will dry.