Date: 2008-08-07
From: Stratton

To: Rangely
Miles today: 0.0

Wow what a day.Some basic facts:1. Maine had a record amount of snowfall this year.2. This is the wettest summer in a decade. In the last two weeks Maine has received 6 to 12 inches of rain.3. Maine mountains consist of 4 to 6 inches of dirt over rock.4. The trail is flowing water or standing muck.The 6th of August dawned misty and cold. The temp had dropped between the 50's and 60's.   Our plan was to make it to the next shelter, which was 9 miles away. I only had one pair of dry socks left, so I wisely buried them in the pack with three water proof layers. I put on my wet cold socks and started hiking.River/Roo joined me for the day.The first two miles consisted of misty cloudy sky and a wet muddy trail. As we approached the tree line on Saddleback Mountian, the mist turned to rain. I stopped at tree line and made a decision to stay lightly layered and move quickly to stay warm. I knew this would help River/Roo the retriever as she only has one layer...albeit a fur layer.As I stepped out of the tree line, I realized quickly I would have to be in a light jog to maintain my body tempature. As we climbed up, the trail turned to slabs made of a very grainy rock that my shoes stuck to like climbing shoes to sandstone.As we jogged along the ridge line, I felt like I was on a long run in the city, but I knew I would not be returning to a warm house and a long hot shower. After about a mile the wind got harder and the rain turned to hail. I realized I could not stop, not even for food until I reached a tree line. I knew I needed to balance speed for warmth against calorie consumption against the cold and distance to the tree line.I jogged by some rock art. On what must have been a warmer day, people had gathered small rocks and laid them out in different shapes. I was not stopping today. After a few miles, I spotted a copse of small trees and was grateful as the trail headed for it. River/Roo and I stopped as I needed to catch my breath and fed myself a Snickers bar and River/Roo ate some scooby snacks I had for her.After a few minutes, we had to move again. Up to now I was not concerned, but the tempatures were still dropping and the wind speed was increasing. I picked up my speed again. I was keeping a close eye on River/Roo. I have learned the key to reading a retriver's mood is the tail. River's tail was still high in the air and the look on her face said she was having fun. Hmmm, I wished I had a fur coat.We passed three north bound hikers and stopped just long enough to say "nice day" to each other.Finally around 10:30 am, I saw a dark line down the mountain. I prayed it was the tree line. Around 11:00 we finally reached the treeline. We were out of the wind, but the swampy trail was back. At one point I missed the rock step and sunk up to mid-calf in a black gooey mess. I said a quick prayer that my shoe would still be attached when I picked up my foot. Yes. It was attached.We reached the shelter around 12:30.   I immediately fed River and myself: dog food for her and cheese and crackers for me. I changed into all my dry clothes, dried off River/Roo and crawled into my sleeping bag. I heated up some water and consumed hot miso-soup which of course I shared with River/Roo.Everyone else showed up and a discussion ensued on if we should should push on two miles, through the pouring rain to town or hole up in the shelter. Since our experince has taught us that 4 women and a dog don't get picked up - no matter how forlorn we look and since we were now five women (sweet 16 has been hiking with us). We decided to split-up. Sweet sixteen and Soaring headed down and the rest of us would stay in the shelter and go down in the morning. We had just settled in, when a couple of crazy day hikers showed up and offered us a ride to town. I have nevered packed up so fast. It was great to reach Rangley and get a hot shower, hot food and to get warm.The weather channel is calling for 10 more days of rain. I must admit, I am not looking forward to it.Keep bouncingTigger