Date: 2005-09-07
From: Rt. 15 - Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

All right, this is the critical day; if I¢m to make Abol Bridge by the 13th, I have to, that is must, cover 15 miles today to Long Pond Stream LT. 15 miles that will be almost entirely up-and-down (though no major 1,000'-type climbs) with 3 stream fords including 2 of the most difficult in Maine: Big Wilson and Long Pond Stream. But at least this year¢s relatively dry weather gives me an easier time with the fords than what last year¢s thruhikers faced.Things are off to a good start because (1) I slept well; and (2) Keith Jr. served a fabulous breakfast. The kitchen was a model of efficiency as Keith took our orders 2 at a time. Normally I eschew this type of breakfast but this is the Trail! So my indulgence of 3 eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, 2 pieces of french toast, orange juice paid off in an ultimately successful day. After taking time to oil my squeaky stove pump, Keith drove Critter, Pacman, and me to the Rt. 15 trailhead. Buckeye is continuing his hike today but starting at the side trail 3 miles south of 15.I told myself: a 15 mile hike: longest of the trip to-date but you can do it; you¢ve done it all year. A 7:25 start should give me enough time.And I enjoyed most of today¢s hike despite the near-total lack of ¢easy¢ stretches. Up and down, up and down, similar to Harriman Park with large boulders, mosses, lichen, knobs, etc. Some rocks were granite, some were slate. One particular segment featured a long ascent up slate rock which was fun and rewarding with some views south.Of course, today had its share of mishaps. Would you believe I lost another water bottle? I noticed its absence when I reached Leeman Brook LT, 5 miles into the hike. This was the replacement bottle the caretaker at Horns Pond LT had given me. So now I have only my 20 oz bottle affixed to my waist strap. This means more frequent refills. Meanwhile, my rib cage still hurts from that strain or whatever when I hiked up Pleasant Pond Mt.First ford: Little Wilson. Liked it so much, I forded it 3 times! That¢s because at the top where the Trail first approaches the stream by the falls, I strode across without bothering to follow the white blaze. Oops, turn right, descend, walk another few tenths of a mile, and then ford. The official ford was fine, giving my feet and legs a good washing.Next is Big Wilson. Big mistake: don¢t seek out and ford the narrowest part if said part is rapidly-flowing whitewater. Or you do what I did and fall forward, getting soaked to the waist and all of the front but fortunately keeping the pack dry. So this ford took a bit longer.Now I¢m at the Wilson Valley Leanto, 10 miles down, 5 to go. It¢s after 3 but I¢m pushing on. The next few miles were less interesting and more of a hassle. Not much up-and-down but slabbing with tough footing (one rockfield at least a mile long - and people complain about Pennsylvania!) along with overgrown/poorly maintained Trail whereby it was hard to see the ground (and hence the rocks/roots to avoid) while higher branches slapped my face. 2 small brooks designated as fords weren¢t - that helped timewise. Then the Long Pond Stream which some SOBOers (Chopstick and Rambler) had warned me about. I felt good when I reached it because it signaled less than a mile to the shelter. Per the SOBOers recommendations, I headed upstream and forded where the river was viable but the side I reached was steep and thick with hemlocks. Finally forced my way through the thick brush to the Trail where .8 mostly uphill later, I reached the shelter at 6:35, passing several tempting campsites along the way. Pacman and Critter were somewhat surprised that I had made it. But I wasn¢t the last arrival; half an hour later, Buckeye appeared having covered 18 miles. I expressed admiration for that feat. Buckeye is hoping to catch Oly who¢s only about a half-day ahead. Good - I¢m on schedule for Abol Bridge. The next two days aren¢t as long but then comes the 17 mile day over Whitecap. But let¢s not get ahead of ourselves.