Date: 2018-08-23
From: Stratton

To: Safford notch campsite
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Sara left at 5:30 and River and I showered and got ready for the 7am shuttle. I drank a protein shake and ate a fruit cup I'd bought at IGA yesterday. I brought an avocado and some cape cod potato chips to the shared kitchen and let Trout know when I paid my bill and stamped my passport. River and I were loaded in the suburban at 7 and Trout went to get Dr Who, but he wanted a 7:30 shuttle so we told Trout we could wait until 7:30 so he didn't have to drive twice. While we waited we shared a cup of coffee. At 7:30 we loaded into the suburban along with Gray Squirrel and Dr Who wasn't there. Trout was very irritated that he was a minute late. So much so that his attitude reflected it on the drive and he passed a vehicle on a solid yellow line. I get that he was upset but that gives him no right to drive that way risking everyone in the vehicle. From the corner of my eye I saw Dr Who put his seat belt on. So I know I wasn't the only one feeling unsafe. I departed the trail head at 7:45 and hiked the first two miles in an hour. Then the terrain changed and I climbed for hours over rocks, roots and mud in often steep sections. I summited the Biggelow South, North, West and Avery peaks. All with great views and some open rocky summits where the wind blew me sideways a bit. I didn't spend much time up there, just a quick photo so I could hurry down below treeline. The weather was amazing. Sunny and comfortable with beautiful blue skies. We stopped at a day use lien to for lunch and I ate my avocado and some potato sticks. Dr Who was there and Gray Squirrel arrived before I left. River left ahead of me as I went off to find the privy. It was beautiful and new and it reminded me of the privies in CT! I didn't see many thru hikers today but there was a large group of young section hikers and I suspected they were headed for the same campsite we were so I mentioned that we should make sure to stay ahead of them. The site we were headed to has 6 sites and 2 tent platforms. Just before the tentsite I went through a very cool field of glacial boulders. I took a video and sent a Marco Polo for Brian and Kyle. I was the only one at the campsite when I arrived and I saw a pretty new tent platform that I went to and sat on, taking my pack off. Within 5 minutes a group of 9 arrived and asked me questions about the site. The only thing I could offer was the description on Guthooks and the signs at the site pointing to water, privy and sites. I hadn't even explored yet. Then another large group arrived, closer to a dozen. I made a box of au gratin potatoes which took a long time to rehydrate and set them aside in my cozy while i set up my tent. The large groups lingered near the fire pit and went for water. Then River finally arrived and followed the group of 9 out towards the 2nd platform which she got. It was quite deep within the site. Once they all disbursed 4 more tents appeared by the fire pit while I was busy finishing my set up and eating. Twister and Chad the Dad, Gray squirrel and another hiker. I went out to River's site to see if she needed water and we stopped and talked with Twister for a few. He's out for a few days hiking a section with Chad who he met in GA at the start of their hikes. Twister completed his in July. Chad is taking it slowly because his wife's going to summit Katahdin with him and they have a particular date they have to work with. After my dinner I brushed my teeth and crawled into bed. It's windy out tonight and I'm set up free standing on the platform. I don't think I'll blow away but the vestibule on one side is just flapping in the breeze so I stuck a rock on it, like a paperweight. I'm toasty warm and snuggled in. Looking forward to slumber!