Date: 2007-07-18
To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

mi. 9.8dest. Cooper Brook Falls Lean-tosleep. hammockDay 6Another good night in the hammcok. I did hang on trees a little too closetogether last night. I ended up with a little extra sag than I like and theridgeling hanging pretty low. Oh well it was dark and I didn't feel likemoving. It felt more like a recliner than usual. Still pretty comfy.Todays hiking in terms of terain was not bad at all. I only had one littleclimb today. I did end up stoppig at a great beach about 3 miles in today. Andthe swim felt great. Still a little cold and quick. It felt good to clean off.After the swim I laid out for awhile and enjoyed my morning coffee. I learnedthat if I make the coffee and then swim, I can relax more while drinking it. Iwas there for 30 mintues or so when Christan and Bre walk up. We greet eachother with another fancy to see you here.I forgot to mention yesterday that I adjustd Bre's pack a lot for her. She washaving a lot of issues with her shoulder hurting. I lowered where her hip beltwas, lengthened the shoulder straps, tightened the sterum strap, and loosenedthe load lifters. Basically adjusted everything. She said it felt way better. Funny how a few adjustments make a big difference. I learned that leason thehard way when I first started backpacking again. I also told her my theory thatminus the weight your pack should always feel good. If it doesn't than you needto adjust something. All packs should feel good. Generally speaking.To make up for the terain being easy the bugs decided to come out. I'm not toosurprised since it was all flat and low. Read swampy. The people yesturday atWHL told me this year was better than most and I am also a few weeks after thepeak seaon. But man today was the worst I have ever see. I finally got out theheadnet today. Man that was the best. I could see them swarming. I also puton my long selve shirt. I sprayed 30% deet on my clothes and put 100% on mylegs, hands, and neck. I was pretty good like that. Although I still had 3horse flys land on my legs and 1 bite. They must not have gotten the meno thatthey shouldn't like deet. I also had to reapply after awhile and the moredetermined mosquitos started to land on me.I only decided to go 11 miles today. I got to the shelter and it was rainingagain. I figured it would be nice to spread out and sit in the dry shelter forawhile. I know my huge tarp does that too.I am glad I packed out the pizza. I finished it off for dinner. Stopping therebasicaly bought me 2 days of food. I sat down and figured up that I have abut 56-ish miles to Monson. I am goingto try and do that in 4 or 5 days. That gives me 2 extra meals and a jar ofpeanut butter to add into the mix. I think I am going to have the dinners as alate lunch on the 2 upcoming climbs. That will put me stealth campingjustoutside of monson. I want to walk in early the next day and take the restof the day off at Shaw's. It is a really good and fair priced hostel. If I canmake it there by noon I will have plenty of time to relax, shower, do laundryand eat. Then walk out the next afternoon.I am now sittig at the shelter finishing up this and all of the other campchores. I do have it all to myself. Clay was shooting for the next sheltertoday. But I think I saw his tent setup earlier. I think he needed a breakfrom the bugs. I left Christan and Bre at the beach. I am thinking that if Idon't see them here tonight they got off at Mary Jo rd a couple miles back. Ifso that isn't unexcepted or surprising. I think they are on the fence aboutcontinung on to monson or farther.I think in or after monson I will be an update on how the gear is working and afew things I figued out.Now off to set up the hammock before it gets dark.