Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

Mt. Washington, NH to Mt. Katahdin, Maine

Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail

(Part 8)

Dates ........ Monday, September 9, 2002
Miles ........ 11.7 miles
From ........ Logan Brook lean-to
To ............. Cooper brook Falls lean-to (CAUGHT UP - back on original schedule.)
Weather ... HOT - Upper 60's AM, less humid but hotter - 87degF in shade of woods mid-afternoon.

Monday, September 9, 2002

East branch Pleasant River, Mountain View Pond, Little Boardman Mt., Crawford Pond, and Cooper Brook Falls.

Since I did not sleep that well and I knew it was going to be hot today, just like yesterday or worse, I got an extra early start, hitting the trail just before 6 AM, about sunrise. At least I could have the cool of morning to hike in. It was 77 degF at 10 AM. My butt was a little stiff but the vitamin I (ibuprofen) I had taken was making it manageable. Having a sore butt (Gluteus Maximus) made me aware of how important those muscles are in walking. I had a mostly downhill day ahead of me with a short, steep climb up from the East branch of the Pleasant River to the shoulder of Little Boardman Mountain , then a couple of level miles to the foothills of the mountain. The mountain itself was about a 500-foot climb, then it was downhill from there to Cooper Brook Falls and the lean-to. That was my original destination on my hike plan.

It felt good to be back on schedule. The fact that it took this long (24 days) to catch up attested to the rugged and unforgiving terrain of northern New Hampshire and Maine. I have not had a zero day yet, and would use that (not hiking at all on a given day) only as a last resort if the weather prohibited my Mount Katahdin climb. Every step of this hike today found sweat pouring off me. My pack was soaked through as were my shorts. I was so sweaty it was running down my back and down my legs into my boots. My glasses barely stayed on my face and the sweat running into my eyes stung them. But, I made myself keep going. Fortunately, there was plenty of water available along the trail. I was drinking almost constantly.

After I crossed the East Branch of the Pleasant River, the trail got very steep, gaining 500 feet in about ¼ of a mile. Then it leveled off. I came to Mountain View Pond and wanted very badly to take a swim, but thought I'd better see how the day progressed before taking that kind of time on a "side" activity. Except for the exertion in the extreme heat, Little Boardman Mt. was not much of a challenge.

Crawford Pond was just begging me to take a swim and I could no longer resist. I hung my sopping wet shorts in a bush, grabbed a bar of soap and headed into the cool, refreshing water. Ahhhhhh. It felt so good - and such a nice, soft sandy bottom. I really needed that swim. I soaked in the cool water for about half an hour, and then I dried off and resumed my hike. Before I even got my backpack on again, I was sweating profusely. The heat seemed to just suck every bit of energy from my body. My chocolate bars melted - I had to lick them from their wrapper. There was no winning today - just a forward struggle born of pure determination. It was no fun.

The irresistible beach at Crawford Pond.

My left boot is now flopping about on my foot. My toes have lots of wobble room, even though they are laced as tight as they can get - with the eyelets touching each other. I am not too worried since the mountains are behind me. But, I can't allow the boot to get much worse before I resort to some kind of repair. My little toe is almost poking out the side of the boot at the seam. Only the Gore-Tex liner is keeping it in, I think. Smooth soles are a liability I will have to live with.

Cooper Brook pool and cascade in front of shelter

I came into the shelter shortly after 5 P.M. , still 86 degF. No one else was there so I just stripped and went swimming again, rinsing my clothes in the process. Then I treated my drinking water and set up my tent streamside, about 200 feet from the shelter. After eating supper, I took a brief nap in the shelter, awakening when someone else came in. Three others occupied the shelter that night - after they took a swim. I heard someone splashing around at 1 in the morning.

Daily Journal Entries

~ Journal Part 8 ~

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Tue
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08/21/02 08/23/02 08/24/02
09/01/02 09/02/02 09/03/02 09/04/02 09/05/02 09/06/02 09/07/02
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Spring/Fall hikes - 15 miles/day - Contact Al. aljohn@jmclum.com.
Last Updated 12/26/02