Day 154: Five Months

I woke up a few times before the sun came up, but I managed to sleep in until about 6:30 or so. We all thought there'd be breakfast served downstairs at 8am, but it was not the case. There were no river tours scheduled today, so no breakfast. But! One of the nice ladies said we could have coffee for $2 and unlimited muffins and fruit for $2. What a deal!

Prophet, Boss, Stryder, Uncas and I feasted on all that while we waited for the 9am shuttle to arrive and take us back to the trail. Red Hat had left early, and we didn't know where Trooper was. The shuttle came right at 9, and it drove us back to the trail head after a brief pit stop at the post office to pick up my resupply box. After a little reorganization, I was back on the trail.




The weather seemed to be holding with complete cloud cover and bits of sun poking through at times. No rain. It was a pleasant hiking temperature, and we made it the five miles to the first shelter without any problems. About ten minutes after we arrived (and right as I was writing in the register "I hope it doesn't rain, but I'm sure that it will... and that will be ok too"), it began to sprinkle. Then it rained. Then it poured! Boss, Stryder and I were thrilled to be under the protection of the shelter. What great timing! We ate an early lunch and waited out the rain clouds. Within 30 minutes, the whole thing was gone and the sun was out. Poor Uncas rolled in a bit wet, but in fine spirits.




We left the shelter just after noon and hiked up to Pleasant Pond Mountain (shout out to Kyle in Mount Pleasant!), and got sprinkled on again up top, but it was only for a few minutes. Then the sun broke through again! From then on, it was a wonderful afternoon.

The terrain was pretty flat after the mountain, but slippery from the rain. I slipped all over the place, and Boss fell FOUR times! Luckily, no injuries (and Boss doesn't read my blog - hello to his family in Atlanta though!). It's so scary to slip so much when there's so little trail left! I feel slower and slower everyday, and I hope my left ankle makes it. Our bodies only have to make it eight more days or so!




Seven or so miles later, we walked over a beaver dam, then got to the shelter. We were glad to end the day. Prophet was there taking a break before moving on, and Stryder and Uncas showed up within the hour. 412 and her son, Scooter, showed up last (he's only ten!), and we all made dinner by the fire that Boss made. It was nice and relaxed, and we went to bed early.

Hoping to catch up with Tripper and Wizard in Monson. And maybe Xan and Neutron will catch up soon...? How great would that be to summit with them?! To begin and end on the same days would be pretty amazing... Happy five month anniversary!
(14.7mi 10st)


-- Posted from the trail...

Location:Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to