Date: 2007-09-16
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mtn Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

I didn't sleep that well last night. The band played right below our room until 1.00 AM then loud neighbors kept me up another hour or more. But, on the bright side, the room was warmer and drier than the last shelter I had stayed in and most of my gear dried overnight. JB and I ate breakfast at the buffet downstairs then finished packing up for the 9.00 AM shuttle. There had been a frost last night, our first of the fall, and all the shingles on the roof of the building were white when we left.We both needed about 2 days of food to get to Monson and had planned on resupplying at Rivers and Trails Hostel. The owner, Steve, had told us yesterday that he'd be open at 9.00 AM, but when we got there no one was around. So we left our packs on Steve's porch and got a ride 7 miles to the nearest general store for supplies. After getting most of what we needed we hitched back to Steve's to repack our food bags. It was another 1.5 miles from Steve's back to the trailhead but we eventually got a ride. It was about 10.30 when we finally hit the trail.It was about 6 miles of forest walking to the Pleasant Pond Lean-to. The temp was 46, perfect for hiking under a mostly sunny sky with light winds. I made good time on gentle trail with decent surface, arriving about 1.00 PM. JB had been there for only a few minutes and we both ate a quick lunch before hitting the trail again by 1.30.Immediately after leaving the shelter the trail began a short (1 mile) but steep and rocky climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain. There were great views to the west, north and east from open ledges on the summit. Shadow, Numbtoes and Rhode Island Red were sitting there taking in the view when I arrived, and JB arrived a few minutes later. Skies were very clear and visibility was very good. We guessed we might be able to see 100 miles. Shadow was convinced that one of the peaks on the horizon was Katahdin, but couldn't quite decide which one peak it was. It was a fine view regardless of whether we actually saw Katahdin or not.The descent to the crossing of the inlet of Moxie Pond was long, steep and very rocky in places. It took me nearly 3 hours to finish this section because I had to take it slow on the rocky and often wet sloping slabs of slick rocks.It was about 5.30 PM when I crossed the inlet stream for Moxie Pond. With 3 miles left to hike and only 1.5 hours of daylight left I had to walk fast to get to the next lean-to before dark. Fortunately it was mostly a gradual uphill climb the entire way. I can climb pretty well and kept up a good pace, making the shelter in about 1 hour. JB, Popeye and Lightweight, Iceman, Shadow and Numbtoes, and R.I. Red had all arrived before me, but at least I made the shelter before dark.It seems that I can go uphill without bothering my ankle. My uphill pace now is pretty much the same as it always was. Downhill however is still very much a problem, as is walking on the flats. Going downhill it is hard to control my body weight plus pack weight plus forward momentum. My ankle just doesn't have the strength yet to be able to handle it all so I rely heavily on my poles on downhill sections. On wet slick surfaces and over rock steps I have to be careful not to put my foot in a position that my ankle can't handle yet so my pace tends to be pretty slow on the downhills. On the flats I still walk with a pronounced gimp. My ankle does not have the strength to push off on my toes yet so my pace on a flat trail with good surface is still less than half what it should be. This injury has slowed me down substantially but I am thankful to still be walking and making progress northward. In spite of being slowed, it appears that I should be able to make it to Katahdin and finish my hike. I have been very lucky indeed!