Sep 13 - Maine

DAY #154
START LOCATION: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
FINISH LOCATION: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 21.5
TRIP MILEAGE: 2,140.9
MILES TO GO: 38.2

I heard an alarm go off around 5AM. It was Uncle Don and Nate Taat... The 4 month thru-hikers. Once again, another stealth mode departure. Casper, NLC and I were up soon after. Unbelievably, Casper found another mouse attack in their foodbags. The amazing thing was that they'd bear bagged in a tree as opposed to hanging them on the mouse hangers in the shelter! We were just bewildered. My bag once again was unharmed. We think the bag was attacked before they'd hung it. But, it was a bummer nevertheless. We took our time breaking camp and were out by 7:20.

Today's weather was calling for a 60% chance of rain showers. Whenever I see rain showers in the forecast I assume I'm getting soaked. It's the only way to be because if it does soak you, you get what you're expecting and deal with it. If you don't get soaked, it's a bonus. NLC felt drops even before we left Cooper. But, we were fortunate. The rain held off as we made our way out. We had some great conversations as we rolled fast over smooth trail, and passed many quaint ponds and their beaches.

We made great time and cruised the 11 1/2 miles into Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to for lunch. This lean-to was a palace by Hundred Mile Wilderness standards. It was new construction, had moonroof panels and slept 8. We almost wished we had the opportunity to stay there. Within minutes of pulling in, the rain came. It rained steadily for almost the entire 1 hour lunch break. I ventured out to find my midday water supply. I found Potaywadjo Spring and wow... It was unlike any spring I'd seen before. It was a 15' diameter circular pool of crystal clear frigid cold water that was absolutely gushing. With all the nearly dry springs we'd been seeing, this was a godsend. It was so unlike any spring I had seen on the AT, I snapped a picture of it.

By the time we headed back out from lunch, the rain had subsided. Our hike the rest of the afternoon was a bit more rooty, rocky and slick from the noontime rain. In spite of this, we still made some great time. Casper and I took guesses a our arrival time at Wadleigh Stream. I guessed 5:15PM and he guessed 5:30. We split the difference. We arrived at 5:22.

Within minutes of arriving an amazing thing happened... It started raining. It was the perfect hiking day... Rain only at the shelters. So, on a day I thought would be a washout, my gear was essentially dry. Two more days of rainy weather, but the beauty is... Only 38 miles to go and I'll never have to worry about rain again! It getting really exciting now. Only 4 days til the Dogfather and I summit the Big K!

-natedog