August 9 – 200

Post date: Aug 11, 2012 10:10:54 PM

The morning arrives and an early exit for the last one into camp the night before, "Keeper" and "Duke". "Five Pair" being surprised that the last one into camp would be on the way so early the next morning inquired into the motivation for such the early start to which the human hiker responded "I want to go into town… I am sick of these woods." However, before the two moved on, "Keeper" described the meeting between "Duke" and a porcupine where the porcupine, apparently unimpressed with meeting the canine trail legend, hissed at Duke. The hissing is produced by the porcupine by vibrating the hollow quills on their tail when frightened. "Duke" being the smart hiker he is, moved on rather than test further what irritated porcupines do beyond hissing. So off the two went.

At camp, "Progress" and "Joiner", husband and wife hikers from West Virginia, discussed with "Five Pair" their summiting plans and agreed to summit Katahdin with her along with "Keeper". Update: our favorite canine hiker "Duke" will sit out Katahdin as like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Bear Mountain State Park, dogs are not allowed in Baxter State Park.

The first segment today was a 700 foot ascent in less than one mile to the crest of the northwest shoulder of Spaulding Mountain at 3900 feet in elevation. As the trail turned slightly downward, the first of two items of note occurred when "Five Pair" came to a bronze plaque identifying and commemorating the location where the Appalachian Trail was completed in 1937. After the obvious photo opportunity, the hike continued. A quarter of a mile later, "Five Pair" took a step and walked inside the 200 miles to go mark.

Continuing on, the trail led to Sugarloaf Mountain which hosts a ski resort in the winter. Down the slopes of Sugarloaf the hike continued and as all who have followed along know, upon completing the 1500 descent to the valley floor, the trail turned steeply upward. However, before the 2 mile 1900 foot ascent would occur, "Five Pair" had the pleasure of fording the South Branch Carrabassett River. Once over the river, the trail went straight up to the top of South Crocker Mountain and after a quick descent of 300 feet and then back up to the 4228 foot summit of North Crocker Mountain. The lack of switchbacks took a toll on the legs and knees so a quick break at the summit and a call to "Ground Control".

After a quick break and a bit of food, "Five Pair" made her way down the slope of North Crocker Mountain over the next 5.2 miles to Maine 27 highway. Onto the town of Stratton, Maine, she traveled where clean laundry and food waited. The northbound hikers in town assembled at a local pizza place and finished the day with a big meal.

1996.0 miles complete/188.4 miles to go