Gosh darn shame
This is the trail that never ends, it just goes on and on my friend. It's long for contemplation, and narrow for chosen company. This trail is as daunting as it is exciting. The Appalachian Trail is a life changing experience of epic proportions.
I was up and moving at 5:20AM this morning. I purposefully made a lot of noise to ensure all the people in the shelter were awake. I hate shelter hoppers, especially ones going SOBO. I could tell they were bitter that I woke then up so early. Gosh darn shame.
The first task of the day was to complete the rolling ascent to the summit of White Cap. Please note that all the climbs today were steep and slick due to a combination of rocks, roots, and rain. The three "R's" of evil.
Gulf Hagus, West Peak, and Hay Mountain all had no potential for any sort of view. I would not have had any view anyway due to the cloub I was walking in with Cookie.
The summit of White Cap, on a clear day, would be absolutely amazing. There's normally a breath taking view of Katahdin, second only to the one seen from Abol Bridge. Not today. I was in a cloud, I did not know I was on the summit until I was five feet from the summit sign. It was a fitting final summit before Katahdin. I've spent a lot of time in a cloud on this hike, and today would not be any different.
A little later we rolled into Logan Brook Lean-To, where we proceeded to have a snack break. Time Traveler was already there when we arrived, and a SOBO rolled in part way through as well. It's nice to talk with SOBO's, they are fresh with hope and are excited about the journey ahead.
That's how I was in GA. I was giddy with joy, excited about every aspect of my hike, ready for tomorrow. I remember GA, it was all just starting. Katahdin was months, not days, away.
A little later in the day we rolled into East Branch Lean-To, where we had lunch. I stayed at this shelter last night, and this is where I met Robo, whom i ended up hiking with all the way to Katahdin.
After the long and tedious climb up Boardman, it was smooth sailing to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, where I shall stay tonight. Also here are several flip floppers who know me from my Trail Journals. I completely forget their names(sorry), but one in the group is younger than me.
Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To is easily the nicest shelter on the AT in Maine, there's a great stream in front for swimming, and the area is just nice in general.
I should mention that Warpaint is now ahead of me, and most likely for good. He has to pull a couple 30 mile days to meet his family at Abol Bridge. I first met him in Fontana Dam at the Hilton, and I've been bumping into him ever since. I was with him in Damascus, I was with him in Catawba, I was with him in Harper's Ferry, and I was with him in part of Vermont. In other words, Cookie and I have been seeing him for a long time. It's almost certain I won't see him again, seeing as this adventure ends soon. Everyone has planned based on summit dates, so everyone is moving at a certain pace.
59.7 to Katahdin.
And that's the way it was.
Kirby
Ga>ME 2008.
