Day 5 - Friday, June 17

Linda

Got a little later start this morning. There was a fine mist falling when we first woke up, and it looked like it might rain. What an understatement! It started raining steadily around 10:00, and didn't quit for the rest of the day. I was soaked up to the thighs by the time we got to Cooper Brook Lean-to for lunch. We sat there for a while trying to dry out a little before going on. While we were there, we met a guy named Steven Carter Jackson, who said he was out to beat Warren Doyle's 66 day record for speed hiking. Only he intended to do it on his own without a support team supplying him all the way. He was well equipped, and didn't seem like a crackpot, so maybe he's really up to it.

We went on the last 6 miles in the downpour to East Branch Tote Road Lean-to, through some of the soggiest areas so far. Got there at 3:45 and decided to call it a day after 14.5 miles. Fixed dinner and built a fire in a vain attempt to dry out all our wet socks and clothes. Around 6:00 Steve Jackson came in. We thought he would've long since passed by if he was really trying to get to Monson by tomorrow night. The more we talked, the stranger he seemed. I couldn't decide if I believed some of the things he said he's done or hopes to do. He said he just finished a novel, and that the AT was a training run for a solo North Pole Expedition. Who knows - maybe he is a crackpot. Then again, maybe not. Makes for interesting conversation, anyway. We went to bed around 9:30, and the rain had finally slowed down some. We were hopeful we might see the sun again tomorrow.

Ron

Today the hiking went well and the miles went by quickly. We complete our hiking from 7:30 to 3:45. It was drizzling in the morning when we started and later around 11:00 it started to pour. By the time we reached Cooper Brook Falls lean-to we were quite wet. My rain suit seems to be functioning well. I made the mistake of starting out hiking in long pants with no chaps. Within an hour they were soaking wet. I changed to shorts and chaps, but unfortunately it was too late. Around noon we met a hiker named Steven Jackson who was out to beat the current record of hiking the trail from end to end. The current record is 66 days and set by Warren Doyle. Good luck.

Rain continued all afternoon growing gradually stronger as the day wore on. We reached the lean-to and I built a fire in a bucket to dry our pants and a few pairs of socks. With the heavy rain we decided to stay in the lean-to. The was no sense getting the tent wet and carrying the extra weight. The lean-to was dry but the log floors were decidedly uncomfortable. Despite soaked boots and wet feet, we are holding up well. At least the rain has kept the bugs down.

(14.5 Miles - 63.9 Total)