Snowman Says: On the AT - Caratunk to Monson

July 20, 2008 | Miles: 14.4
Start: Route 201, Caratunk
End: Bald Mountain Brook Campsite

After a great shuttle ride from Dana at Shaw's Lodging, we hit the trail at about 10:30 in Caratunk. At this point, I feel compelled to announce that I was not grouchy. Nor was I grouchy when we left the house at 6:15...well, maybe just a little. It was an uneventful morning, but it was muggy. The sun was out sporadically, which kept the temperatures down, but we were still soggy. Really soggy. We cruised through the first 6 miles, and stopped for lunch at Pleasant Pond Lean-To. I'm sure D will account the "hilarious" story of my inability to find the privy.

After lunch we had the climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain. It wasn't that pleasant. It was steep. Now I was grouchy. Normally, I'm all for a good climb, but I just didn't have it today. The worst part was the descent...or the lack there of. We had entered Time Warp Ridge. We just kept going along this ridge forever. We'd descend at bit, but just keep going. It was really annoying. It felt like we were moving but not getting any closer to our destination. Plus, I was feeling really sluggish. Not sure what was going on. Oh, and I was grouchy.

About 6 weeks later we finally hit the actual descent and navigated the almost ford-worthy crossing of Baker Stream. We set up camp at the Bald Mountain Brook Campsite and waited for the rain.

July 21, 2008 | Miles: 13.1
Start: Bald Mountain Brook Campsite
End: Stealth site near Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To

It poured last night. Once again our tent proved up to the task as we stayed nice and dry. However, nothing was really dry. Boots, clothes, everything. It was so humid yesterday and overnight nothing dried even a little bit. Here's a fun way to wake up in morning: put on a pair of wet underwear. Good times. (No, I don't bring extra underwear...too heavy.) Another fun way to wake up is to cross a stream to get to the privy. Expedition Poo was underway. Lucky, we didn't fall in...the stream or the privy. I saw a Magnolia Warbler near the privy. That was cool.

The day started with a climb up Moxie Bald Mountain. Nice climb: not too long, not too steep. Amazing views. I'd do this one again.

Today was a day of hanging out. We hung on the summit of Moxie Bald. We hung out at Moxie Bald Lean-To eating lunch on the shore of Bald Mountain Pond, which was also beautiful. We chatted with a lot of Southbounders. Lots of hanging out. All of this made for a slow day. We also had to river fords: Bald Mountain Stream and the West Branch Piscataquis River. The former was easy; not even knee deep. The latter was a little tricky. It was mid thigh deep on me. As many of you know, my hiking partner is...well, kinda short. She crossed in her underwear, since it was pretty high on her. She wouldn't let me take a picture.

After the second ford, we only had 3 miles to the shelter, but they seemed longer. Eventually, we just put up the tent at a great spot along the banks of the West Branch, which we followed ever since the ford. A long day, but a good one.

July 22, 2008 | Miles: 9.2
Start: Stealth site near Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To
End: Route 15, Monson

As it turns out we were only about .2 miles south of Horseshoe Canyon Lean-To last night, so that meant a shorter day today than we had expected. That's always a good thing.

What wasn't so good was our feet. Hamburger time. Putting your feet into wet boots for the third day in a row is not pleasant. D's heels. My little toes. Lots of redness, blisters, and general yuk. It lead to this exchange:

Me: "With every step I hear a faint, muffled f&*k you coming from my boots."
D: [singing] "F&*k you. F&*k you. La La La La La F&*k you."

Needless to say, nothing even remotely that hysterical happened for the rest of the day. In fact, this may be the funniest song she's ever sung while hiking. It's close to her epic "My Bum is Wet" song, which is too amazing to put into words.

Bolstered by that, we cruised today. It helped that the terrain was mellow, but we were moving pretty well. Even though we did have a ford of the East Branch Piscataquis River, we were at the car before 1:00. But, we were muddy. Mud was the overwhelming theme of these three days. 75% of the trail was mud. And 25% of the mud was boot sucking and soaking mud. It was messy. Really messy. The fords were great because they actually gave us a chance to clean off. Our feet are going to need a day or two to recover. That being said, it was a good trip. Mostly uneventful, but good.