9/05/01
We made it through another Shaw's AYCE breakfast this morning, then jumped into the back of Keith Jr.s pickup truck to head back to the trail. Greenlight and Redneck led the pack into the woods as we said goodbye to civilization until we summit Katahdin. Priceless didn't make the first pickup truck load as he wasn't feeling too well. The rest of the Fab 5 stayed together all the way to Little Wilson Falls where we stopped to eat lunch and enjoy the falls. A large group of Nobos filed in right behind us as we sat and enjoyed the scenery. Phantom and Priceless were both feeling puny (stomach aches) and were still at the falls when Finn and I left. Redneck and Greenlight had jumped way ahead and we were unsure whether or not we would see them by day's end. The hiking was easy and the trail beautiful as the hours passed. Finn and I stopped at the Wilson Valley lean-to and waited for the fellas to show up. Finally a sick Priceless showed up and told us that he couldn't go any farther today. Phantom was behind him, so we weren't sure if we would continue the original plan to hike 15 miles out of Monson. Finn and I continued down the trail, knowing that Priceless and Phantom would catch us tomorrow if they stayed one shelter back. We arrived at the Long Pond Stream lean-to around 5 p.m. Cy and Smitty were already in camp setting up tents, so I found a suitable tent site and set up camp. Meanwhile, Finn set up in the shelter. After eating and filtering water and taking care of other camp chores, it was nearly dark (now around 7:15 to 7:30). No one else showed up at the campsite, so I packed up my tent and joined Finn in the shelter for the chilly night. Today's stats: low 49, high 65. Sunny and breezy. Today's mileage: 15.1; cumulative mileage: 2068.7 (only 100 miles to go, yeah!)
