Date: 2017-09-13
From: Baldpate Lean-to (Shelter)

To: East B Hill Road (Andover, ME)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

9/13Baldpate Lean-to (Shelter) to East B Hill Road (Andover, ME)8.0 milesTotal miles:  1932.2The wind was blowing in the trees when I woke up this morning but subsided soon after.  Tengo Hambre, Gravity, and I left camp at 7:30 with the need to cross both the west and east peaks of Baldpate Mountain and make it to East B Hill Road in time to make it to Andover for resupply. It took us an extra day to get past Mahoosuc Notch and Arm, and we were all critically low on food.  I arrived at the road today with two mayonnaise packers and three Werther candies in my food bag.  I enjoyed the hike up Baldpate. It was relatively steep but there were few major obstacles to our progress.  We arrived on the west peak sooner than I expected, and I was blown away by the views (which is far better than literally being blown away by the wind). Of all the views I have enjoyed along the trail, I'm not sure if any are as amazing as what I am seeing in Maine. The trail between the peaks began with a short descent of west peak and then a slog through an alpine bog. There were boardwalks over most of it, but a few places were unattended.  One place required stepping on a series of rocks and then balancing along a mostly submerged log to a drier section of trail. I tested the bog with one of my trekking poles, and it sank down for nearly three feet without finding bottom. I heard that a hiker fell into the bog and sank up to her waist. Fortunately, I avoided any such mishap.  The trek up the east peak could only be accomplished by quickly walking directly up the rock faces aiming for the next cairn that marked the trail. It became obvious why hiking Baldpate in the rain is discouraged. The views, again, were incredible. I was able to see the range of mountains we had just crossed, and I could even make out the observation tower on Old Speck.  Things got interesting on the descent. The rock faces were extremely steep and very slick, particularly near the beginning of the descent.  I attempted to walk along the edge but started to slip. I ended up sitting down and sliding about forty feet, controlling my descent with my poles and by grabbing onto roots along the way. The descent was one of the most challenging I have experienced, but I eventually arrived at Frye Notch Lean-to at 11:20.  It was fortunate we hadn't tried this last night, as we would have ended up hiking in the dark. I ate a quick lunch before heading back on the trail.  The shuttle to the Human Nature Hostel in Andover was scheduled at 3:00, and there was 4.5 miles to cover. I had been told that the trail was reasonable over this stretch. This turned out to be true, and I hiked through beautiful forest scenery along what would be considered actual trail.  There were difficult sections, but overall the trail went well.  I arrived at the road by 2:40.  The shuttle bus was right on time. We first went to a general store in Andover that was also a cafe. I ate a hiker burger with homemade chips. We then came to the hostel, which is shaped like a geodesic dome. It is owned by Yukon, who thru-hiked in 2014. He is a certified survival instructor and has appeared twice on the show, Naked and Afraid.  The hostel is in the process of being completed, and is a unique, fascinating structure. After showering and getting my laundry prepared, I took the shuttle to Wal-Mart for resupply.  The shuttle was late, which allowed me to see an incredible sunset.  I returned to the hostel and sorted my food.  I then completed my journal and went to bed. There is a pancake breakfast at 7:00 and then I'm back on the trail. My pack will be much heavier as I now head for Rangely, but at least I'll have more food options than mayonnaise.