Date: 2015-08-15
From: Monson, ME

To: Long Pond Stream Shelter, ME
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 139, Monson, ME to Long Pond Stream Shelter, ME - 15.1 miles:*The remaining entries will be kept to a minimum due to lack of charging opportunities (none) while in 100 mile wilderness.Up at 7:00am after a crumby night of sleep due to being too hot and both feet burning from being rubbed raw in my wet boots. A couple cups of coffee would help to get me going. The USS Bennington and I, plus 5ive, went next door to Pete's Place for breakfast. Simple, done right, and a good start to a hiker's day. Afterwards we slowly prepped for the day, packed our gear, and loaded 2 days of food each into a 5-gallon bucket which will be delivered and hidden ~50 miles into the wilderness for us to pick up in a couple days. An 11:15am shuttle to the trail by hostel and restaurant owner, Rebekah, would put us on the trail by 11:30am. With a goal of only doing ~15 miles for the day, we planned to take it easy as temperatures climbed into the high 80's/low 90's.We immediately entered the 100 mile wilderness, the last of really anything resembling society for the next ~5 days or so. It didn't take long, less than ~10 miles actually, for the terrain to appear to take on a more wild appearance. The day would be spent passing many ponds seemingly unvisited by many, save the handful of hikers that hike along their shores each day. Onward past Spectacle Pond, Bell Pond, Lily Pond, North Pond, Mud Pond, and Bear Pond. At Bear Pond Ledge we ran into Clank, Doc, and Forward, each slack packing and soaked in sweat as they hiked south for the day back towards Monson. We exchanged brief greetings, but otherwise kept moving to get back under the cover of foilage.Funniest part of the day: We're all walking closely in a line when Rabbit eats it on a moss-covered rock. Huey and I step around the rock. Yoohoo, for whatever reason, steps on rock and wipes out as well. He, like yesterday when crossing the flat rock in the river, had that one coming.Scary part of the day: While descending down a steep section of trail in a tight group, Yoohoo tripped on an exposed root and ate it just behind me with a loud thud to the ground. We turned around to find him face down, not moving. Fortunately he fell in the exact spot that most likely saved him from any kind of potential serious injury. He fell into a small clearing 6" from a large rock and sharp tree stump on either side of his head. Other than a lightly scratched face from where he grazed part of a rock, he was good to go after we breaked for a lunch. It's no joke that almost every step out here has the potential to end your hike, if not something more serious. I, too, would eat it today descending a steep hill, but would luckily fall back on to my pack and escape any kind of pain.Highlight of the day: ~2 miles from our ending location, we hit a mostly overgrown gravel road with a colorful sign pointing to trail magic. I had been told of these great guys back in Rangeley by Huckleberry Finch, but figured they would have been long gone by now. I sent Yoohoo down the road to see if it was still there and to send out his "Yoohooooo" call should I need to come. Within 10 minutes later as Huey, Rabbit, and I waited, a call came through the trees and we were heading in that direction. Enter Birdman and Scout who have been spoilib hikers over the past 2 seasons. We'd be no exception. As soon as we strolled up we were offered cold soda and beer and asked if we liked Ribeye. Um, trick question? Soon after we were enjoying steak, BBQ beans, and soda as we talked with the kinda gentlemen. The men don't ask for much - simple that you sign their register, send them a photo from the top of Katahdin, and possibly donate a little should you want. If you happen to see this sign as you pass by, I highly suggest you drop in for a visit, however brief. The men truly exemplify the generosity of the trail.We finally had to waddle off in order to reach our destination. We reached the Long Pond Stream Shelter around 8:30pm under headlamp. We first had to ford the rushing waters of Long Pond Stream. We did so relatively successfully by rock-hopping. I would slip and have one of my boots completely engulfed, but it was the end of the day so I wasn't too bummed. At some point fording another stream today, I lost 1 of my flip-flops in the quick current. With no way to retrieve it as I stood with my gear in hand, I simply yelled, "Wilson, I'm sorry!" figuring it had served me well. Luckily the flip-flop floated to a stop in a calm area behind a small rock some ~30ft down stream. Yoohoo made over for it quickly and was able to snag it up. My hero.Tomorrow brings a ~1,700ft climb to the top of Barren Mountain, then over the summits of Fourth Mountain, Mt. Three and a Half, Third Mountain, Columbus Mountain, and Chairback Mountain. The temperature is expected to climb into the low to mid 90's so we'll have to be sure to play it smart and not overdo it.Here's to the first day in the wilderness, the kindness of Birdman and Scout, and less than 100 miles remaining.*Several readers have recently sent kind messages my way. In trying to conserve battery, I will send out a simple thank you to all. Currently atop Barren Mountain Ledges enjoying an amazing view. Cheers for the well wishes, folks.