9/07/01
Eleven thru-hikers left this morning from our nice little campsite area by the stream within an hour of each other. We had to ford the stream which had a few places to hopscotch over rocks. Some of the hikers crossed in sandals. I chose to cross in my boots and somehow managed to keep from getting my feet wet. From the river crossing to the summit of Whitecap Mtn. was 11.25 miles, virtually all up with three peaks to cross prior to Whitecap. The first 4.5 miles to the Carl Newhall lean-to were gradual and followed a stream. The shelter area became the mid-morning social gathering point as we refilled our water and prepared for the next climb up Gulf Hagas Mtn. The climb up Gulf Hagas was steep and my body wasn't adjusting well. My stomach ached and I felt nausea come and go. My guess is that my body needed more calories for the climb. I slowed down for the rest of the climb and soon I was up and over. There was a short descent, then another steep climb up West Peak. After the climb, there was a steep but short descent, then another, more gradual climb up Hay Mtn. By now all I could think about was food and lunch. I kept searching for a decent place to stop and eat, but couldn't find one until I reached the top of Hay. There, Leslie, Bad Moon and Finn were chowing down on lunch and all three commented that they were starving, too, coming up the mountain. After lunch we descended Hay, then ascended White Cap. At the summit the entire group from our overnight camp last night was assembled. All eleven of us and in addition, Babbalouie and Shiloh were up top for an hour or two. I dried out my gear, took some photos of Katahdin (yes, I said Katahdin!). Finally we had our fill of the afternoon leisure, so it was time to descend. Our final mountain of any size was done (except Katahdin itself). We stopped at the Logan Brook lean-to on the way down the 2,500' descent for water and a shelter register entry to Priceless to let him know we were heading for the river. We reached the East Branch lean-to around 6:00 p.m., along with the rest of the crowd. Everyone spread out to set up tents, while a few folks grabbed spots in the shelter. I was beat from two rugged long hiking days in a row, yet excited to know that the next 60 miles will be relatively flat level ground. Around dark Priceless pulled in to the campsite, tired from a long 22 mile day. The Fab 5, minus Redneck, was finally back together and we agreed to stay together for the rest of the hike. After another great group campfire I went to my tent, too tired to journal. Today's stats: low 55, high 80. Partly cloudy. Today's mileage: 16.3; cumulative mileage: 2,100.3.
