Date: 2003-09-03
From: Guyot Campsite

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

In order to reach the campsite yesterday, I had to climb over the crest of Mt. Guyot and then climb down about 700 ft. So, this morning there was a 700 ft. climb back up and over Mt. Guyot in order to get back on the Trail. At 7/10 of a mile, it was one of the longest side trails I took in order to get to a campsite (well, I guess I forgot the 1.1 mi. side trail to Greenleaf Hut.)   There's some serious hiking required just to get to a place where you can spend the nite. I can see why some hikers would rather "stealth" camp in an unapproved site, but the fines for that can be serious if they catch you. (And there are ATC people patrolling the Trail in order to do that.) Anyway, I pass the caretaker up on the summit of Mt. Guyot waiting for the helicopter delivery. The chopper pilot speaks with a Vietnamese accent over her 2-way radio as I pass and I think maybe he was a South Vietnamese Military pilot working for the ATC after escaping the communists. Something like that. Several times this day, at different locations, I spot this same helicopter hauling supplies, lumber, and 55 gal. drums in a cargo net dangling from a long line attached to the chopper.It's unbelievably picturesque up on this ridge with lots of well-appointed section hikers. (You can tell they are section hikers 'cause they aren't gaunt and tattered.) One lady passed and I remarked that she obviously wasn't a thru-hiker. She asked, "well, how do you know that?" and I told her that it was obvious 'cause she looked like she had just stepped out of a Patagonia Mail Order Catalogue.Along about here I met four buddies hiking south. Three of them were ok, but one was a loudmouth "soprano" type who wanted to argue about stuff. All of them were carrying brand new gear with compasses hanging around their necks. (This is a dead giveaway that they are novice hikers.) They asked about the trail, "Where's the water, where can they camp for free. You mean we have to PAY to tent camp?" So I tell them, and then the mafia type gets real close and starts to argue about the ATC fee based camping as though I had something to do with it. So, he's in my face for a few minutes, and I start to get uncomfortable. (There's four of them and only one of me.) Finally, I've had enough and tell them that I can't help 'em and I abruptly leave toward the Zealand Hut. My lasting memory is of big-mouth yelling "Bubba! Bubba!" over and over like some kind of an insult! I don't figure he knew any more about "Bubbas" than he did about hiking! And I felt kinda sorry for the caretaker lady at Mt. Guyot 'cause I knew she was gonna get dumped on by big-mouth there. Not my problem, but I was glad to be on my way again.At Zealand Falls Hut, I get leftover pancakes and coffee for only $1.00. Not as good as cinnamon rolls, but welcome nevertheless. Lots of section hikers at Zealand and the helicopter shows up to deliver a cargo net of provisions. Got some good pics of the chopper hovering over the hut while they unhooked the net. Took a short rest and on my way out, the 'copter returns carrying a load of lumber.I am still stirred up about the four jerks and hardly notice that the Trail follows an old railroad bed almost all the way to Ethan Pond Shelter. Well, that's ok. Several miles of flat walking. Gimme more of that! Lots of moose tracks and moose poop everywhere. Ethan Pond is beautiful, and I share the shelter with 2 men who are southbound. Good company for the nite as it starts to rain. The Trail will be a swamp tomorrow, but tonite we are snug. Thank you Lord and nite, nite all.