Date: 2004-09-15
From: Stealth Cap. N. of Caratunk

To: Bald Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 14.7

A long but satisfying day.I started with a very gently climbing six mile hike to Pleasant Pond Lean-to. It was full of new and not totally welcome sounds: lumber trucks, power saw or woodchipper, and the loud barking and baying of a pack of large dogs who passed the trail in front of me uncomfortably close. I remembered it was bear season and hoped that whoever was with them was careful. Crossing a logging road I got a surprise, 3 ripe raspberries. I was amazed that there were any left with September half over.At the lean-to I purified water and had some Cheese Combos for an early lunch to fortify me for the thousand foot climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain. While there I discovered a large cooler with sodas left by a Trail Angel named VanGogh. Woohoo, calories and caffeine! Talk about fortifying. I surged up the slope, which was not too steep and with only a few spots that needed handholds.At the top were fairly good views between the trees and nice clear weather. It was hard to know if any of the distant mountains to the northeast were Katahdin. I guess I have to get closer to be sure.Going down always takes more time and care than going up, even though the slope was more shallow. It was turning into a hot afternoon as well. So it felt more like a hiking day months ago and far to the south rather than up here in Maine. I saw lots and lots of blueberry bushes but only a scattering of berries. Proof that the season was later than it felt.Finally I crossed over a beaver dam and came to Moxie Pond at the bottom of the slope. Then came what was supposed to be a wide ford of Baker Stream. I was lucky, it was just low enough to pick my way across dry shod over large boulders, the water rushing through the gaps in between. That is the second ford I have escaped actually having to ford.The day ended with a gentle 2.5 mile climb up to Bald Mountain Lean-to. Long before then I was starting to get high mileage sore spots to add to my steep slope sore spots, but both were within reason. My hip has trouble but not as bad as a few days ago.There was a section hiking couple tenting but no one in the shelter. Because of the mosquitoes I experimented again with hanging my tent from the ceiling and putting my air mattress inside. Naturally the mosquitoes vanished so I decided to put my tent away. Still it gave me an chance to let it dry off from last night. And I found five slugs on it that had snuck a ride with me this morning, a new record! Usually there is just one and I find it before packing the tent in the morning. Caratunk must have a lot of slugs!There was one more chore. I took out my bearbag rope and cut off two pieces long enough to use as extra laces for my sandals, then burned the ends so they won't fray. My sandals just have regular flipflop straps with a toe eyelet. Passing the cord through the straps, behind my heel and tied at the ankle will keep the sandals from getting torn off my feet by fast current when wading rivers. I cross the West Branch Piscataquis River tomorrow and the East Branch on Friday and I doubt I will be lucky enough to find stepping stones. Better to prepare now rather than putter with it at the riverbank.Drat it, the mosquitoes are back! I think I will resort to using DEET for the first time since Vermont rather than fiddle with my tent again.136 Miles to Katahdin!