Date: 2007-08-27
From: Jacobs Brook

To: Moose Mt
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

mi. 15.4sleep hammockdest. Stealth site up on Moose Mt. day 46 Well I slept great in the new hammock. I am really glad I get the chance to use it. I'm trying to get caught up after getting 3 days behind, so today and tomorrow are going to be a little short. Today we woke up and headed up Smart Moutain. I really need to start reading my Compainion about the different places. On top there is an old fire tower and fire warden cabin you can stay in. I went up to the fire tower. It was amazing. There was a temperature inversion. The air temp in the valleys was less than the air temp higher up. Which ment all the clouds were underneath the summit. From the firetower I could see the peaks of the different mountains above the clouds. That was awesome. I had been talking about it at the hostel the other day with the owner, but did not think I would see it when I went through. We took a long break and I made some great coffee in the tower. After that a long break in the sun. If I didn't mention it I figured out why I ran out of Aqua Mira. When my DEET leaked it must of eat a hole in te bottom of one of the plastic containers. It also eat a small hole in the mesh pocket of my pack. Until Hanover I'm glad I havre a hiking partner. I used his water treatment. When I get into town I am going to try and pick up a Steri-Pen along with some new hiking shoes. The tail today skated a pond next to Lyme Road. Apparently the road was the old AT. There was a sign on the AT for free water and an arrow. There was also an ice cream box on the sign. I had high hopes at this point. Someone had written on the sign to go see the ice cream man. And I do have this ice cream problem. I went over to the house and the water was from a hose on the side. Lucky for me too that this place ios here. My hiking partner took the road for this section and was going to meet me up ahead. I knocked on the door and unfortunatly no answer. I did however fill up my gatoraid bottle and water bladder. I also drank a liter or so. After that I ran into my hiking partner a ways up on the trail. If you haven't noticed I'm not using his name. He asked not to be named here. We decided to bypass the next shelter and find another stealth spot. We stopped and cooked dinner next to a stream. I will have to say that this guy can start a fire better than anyone else I have seen. The plan was to eat here and fill up on water. Then find a site before the shelter with a good view. It was a clear night and we wanted to see the stairs. There was also talk of water jugs at the next shelter since the water source was dry. So we knew there was water early in the day tomorrow. An hour of hiking later we came apoun a good site. A flat place for his tent and a couple good trees for me. The was also a decent view. There were trees o both sides, but a great view i the middle. We were sitting there for awhile talking and waiting. We were just off the trail and wanted to wait until later to set up. When from no where 2 Paragyn Falcons fly overhead. They looked to be playing around and courting each other. They were doing this just in front of use. I went and got my camera, but of course only got a far away shot of them. About 20 minutes later one flew about 15 feet straight in front of us and then off into the trees. It was a really cool experience. One I never would have had at a shelter. I am thinking I am going to start stealthing a lot more. There were signs at the trail head talking about the falcon and hopw they are an endangoured species and nest in the area. It also said that there was no camping areas until Aug 1st. We are way past that and there was no signs at this place. Just a cool random experience. After setting up we started a really small campfire. It was a great spot right next to a big rock and each side that you could lay on. We ended up talking, watching the stairs, and enjoying the fire until late. Another great night on the AT.