Day 7 - Sunday, June 19

Linda

It was cold and rainy again this morning. Got going around 7:40, way ahead of everyone else. Made good time up Gulf Hagas, and started the descent down to The Hermitage. Seemed like we walked forever, and a lot further than the guidebook said before coming to the West Branch of the Pleasant River which we had to ford. It was knee deep and cold, but not too swift or slippery. Never did see The Hermitage, whatever it was. Stopped a half mile up, after crossing a logging road. It was still cold and overcast, but not raining. The ascent up to the Chairback Gap Lean-to was really steep, over a lot of rocks, and through and up streams. We arrived at the lean-to at 2:30. A couple from Toronto who had been there all day, were just getting ready to start to the next lean-to 7 miles away. The sun had come out for a while, and I thought we might stay there and build a fire to dry out, but by then the sun was gone, and all the wood was wet anyway. We signed the trail register and left at after a few minutes of well deserved rest.

We passed the other couple in a few minutes. They weren't doing well on the climb. We kept going, but it was very steep, up over rocks and more rocks, which were very slippery. I fell a couple times - nothing serious - just enough to sap most of my strength. Stopped for a break at 5:00, and Ronald put the food in his pack and carried the stick to give me a little help. I did better over the next section, but was still tired. I could hear thunder in the distance. Then, after Ronald took a spill, we decided to stop. Lucky there was a good sheltered spot in a few minutes. We just set up the tent when Steve and John came muttering up the hill, and decided it was also a good place to stop. Later, Ray came by intending to go on, but when he saw all of us already camped, he decided it was too late. They had all passed the other couple while they were resting. We were beginning to wonder if they'd even make it this far. Fixed dinner which warmed us up considerably, then retired to the tent to inspect sore feet and write. No new blisters, amazingly enough, since my feet have been wet constantly for three days. They stay pruny all the time. The other couple just walked by the tent. It's 8:00, and 3 miles to the next shelter. Can't imagine they'd go on, but didn't hear them stop. We'll see in the morning. Covered 14 miles for the day.

Ron

Today was another long day. After a long hike down Gulf Hagas Mountain we forded Pleasant river. The river was wide about 75 to 100 feet, and around knee deep. We reached Chairback Gap Lean-to at 2:30 and debated hiking seven more miles to Cloud Pond Lean-to.

We decided to continue but the rugged climb was getting to Linda. I took the food bag from Linda to help her on the climb. After traveled about a four miles and came to a level tent site. Seventeen miles was a bit more than we could handle.

These mountains are hard to climb. The trails have become streams with all the rain, making for bad footing. They go straight up to the top of the ridge with no switch backs and no letup. It takes all of our energy to do from 12 to 14 miles a day. Plus our soaking wet feet the last few days hasn't helped any. My feet look like prunes and everything we have is dirty and wet. It will be a relief to get to Monson to dry out and wash for the first time in two weeks. Hopefully tomorrow we will be in striking range to enter Monson on Tuesday (June 21). The three guys we have been traveling (Steve, John and Ray) with are also looking forward to Monson.

(14 Miles - 89.9 Total)