Date: 2017-08-13
From: Monson, ME

To: Cloud Pond
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Met Hippo, Fearless, FD last night at my second dinner. Fearless told me that she believes she has a foot stress fracture and is leaving the trail until recovered. She has had the stress fracture before so she is pretty sure of her self-diagnosis. She was sad that she was not going to summit with her friends; Hippo and FD. Hippo is from Germany and is 59 and is recovering from a stroke on his right side. He speaks good English but sometimes struggles to find the right word. We had breakfast together at Pete's Place and got to hear his story. Four of us got a shuttle back to the trailhead about 7:45 am. Hippo, Chipolte, Grams and I all started together but quickly started to spread out. Hippo was going 10-12 miles, I was going 19 and the other two young bucks were shooting for almost 30!  Passed the Upper Falls which were striking and lots of water descending a steep fall.  Passed FD who was slack packing SOBO this morning after saying goodbye to Fearless (a lady around early 60's) as she was heading to the bus for a ride to Bangor and then home to Bradenton, FL. (Nancy & Phil, their favorite restaurant is the one in Bradenton with the manager who likes to give Phil a hard time ) FD said her foot looked worse this morning so a good decision to go home and heal up. I forded 3 creeks/rivers; Little and Big Wilson creek and Thompson Brook. Two of the crossings I made without getting wet, but third I had to change into camp shoes and made it across in knee deep water.  I was leap-frogging with Grams (from German) and Chipolte (Oregon) both who were in their early 20's and had also hiked the PCT. We all stopped at what is called Trail Magic cabin which is close to the base of Barren Mountain and he caters to all hikers with the offer of free food and drink. As soon as we arrived he put on a hotdog and a burger on the grill for each of us and told us to help ourselves to sodas or beer. The hunting cabin was small but very comfortable and the host was very generous with what he had. By the time I left, several other hikers had arrived and everyone was delighted with what this man was offering. The hosts name is Birdman and his dad Scout. Scout lost his son Yogi Bear - AT '92 and the trail magic they offer is in tribute to him. Since they started in 2013, they have served over 500+ hikers each year and operate from June to October each year. They also spend 1-2 hours each day hand picking blueberry, blackberry and raspberry all to give out to hikers. Pretty awesome ! The three of us left reluctantly and started our way up Barren Mountain and the Ledges. It had turned out to be a beautiful day and we were greeted to stunning view at the Ledges. Grams and Chipolte were heading out as they still had a long way to go (they average 30 miles a day) but my tentsite was only a few miles away so I decided to stay a little longer. I did get a mobile signal at the Ledges so I called home because I didn't think i would be able to during the hike through the 100 mile wilderness.  Made it to the turn off for the Cloud Pond shelter/tentsite which indicated a .4 mile walk off trail. I usually don't do that but thought this was the right time of day to stop. Wow, the setting at Cloud Pond was spectacular. There was a few hikers there but everyone was just in awe of the naturally beautiful setting we were all in. I found a great tentsite looking directly out into the pond (lake) and watched the sunset while eating dinner. Nice way to end the day. Tonight I am 95.3 miles from Katahdin. Wow, it's really getting close now.