Date: 2013-07-29
From: East B Hill Road

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0

No word from Crunchmaster today. We've found that internet coverage is pretty spotty and cell phone coverage limited but generally available on the higher peaks. Trevor should have crossed over Baldpate east mountain and Baldpate west moutain, both of which are above tree line.The boys got a late start today, slept in until 8:00 and likely didn't get on the trail until 10:00. Only 8 miles to the 2nd lean-to, with another 6.9 beyond that to Spec Pond Shelter. It was rainy today so I'm guessing they'll hold up at Baldpate Lean-to.For those who may have just started following Crunchmaster's journal, be prepared to come back to today's post because I'll add to it once he posts his journal on FB. He journals on his smart phone every evening and then cuts and pastes it for a quick post once he gets an internet connection.Many thanks to Professor Rich Kent for all his hospitality and for the support he provided the 3 amigos over the weekend. Great memories will be made on the trail and probably just as many off the trail.More later...Here's Trevor's FB post:"Today started out great! Mr. Kent fixed us another amazing breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and english muffins. In addition, we had a huge slice of chocolate cake. I want to thank Mr. Kent again for all the amazing hospitality over the past few days. After breakfast we packed up and got on the trail by about 10:45. The first few miles went pretty slow because we had heavier packs and it's always tough to leave a town. After 4.5 miles we ate lunch at Frye Notch Lean-to. We then had a big climb up Baldpate Mountain. I tried listening to music while I walked for the first time and it really made the 2 mile climb go faster. The weather had been great all day. It was sunny but not too hot and there was a small breeze. But once again, bad luck hit us on a mountain. Moments after getting above tree line, clouds started rolling in. It was like the weather changed dramatically within a few seconds. As we got near the top, the winds really picked up and the skies opened up. The rain came down in buckets and I was soaked in seconds. Then as we reached the summit sign, pea sized hail pelted us. The feeling was as if I was getting shot by an air soft gun. You might say things can't get worse...but they did. It started to thunder and lightning! I have never wanted to be off a mountain top more than I did today. It finally started clearing on the way down but the trail was a rushing river. The mud had turned as slick as ice. I took a really nasty fall on the way down. I'm actually surprised I didn't break my leg because it got caught underneath me and my body fell on top of it. It was scary fall and I don't want it to happen again. Well about 10 feet later my feet went flying out from under me and the next I knew was I was sitting in a mud puddle. The rest of the way down I avoided every place where there was mud. When I got to the shelter Ziploc was there along with a camp of 20 girls. I found a spot in the shelter and started cooking as soon as I had dry clothes on. Tomorrow is going to be a rough day so it's time to get some rest."