Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Up at 6:50. Clear and humid going up to upper 80s.
Slept well once I got to sleep. Muscle cramps in my legs kept me up a bit. We got out of camp (mile 1988.6) at 8:00.
We stopped at Oberon Stream for a break and water at 9:45 and 2.5 miles. This is the first good water we have seen in a day.
Ed is struggling a bit. Yesterday wiped us both out. Going to be a short day today. Just 8 miles with 5.2 left. We might expand that by making a side trip to Mount Abraham, the second highest alpine zone in Maine. That will be a game time decision around late afternoon.
Back on trail at 10:40 after a long break.
Stopped for water and food at 4.7 by a fast moving stream at noon. We have a nasty 1.2 mile climb up Lone Mountain, then some decisions to make on a potential side trip.
Back on trail at 12:30. This ascent may only be 1.2 miles, but it’s a killer. 1000 feet in that 1.2 miles. We are still feeling yesterday’s massive climbs. We are stopping for a short break every .075 miles. Needless to say, we are moving SLOWLY.
Summited Lone Mountain at 1:45. We have 2.2 miles to camp. That was a hard climb. Last one for today unless we make a side trip to Mt Abraham. I’m not interested but Ed wants to. We will see in about a mile. I don’t think I have enough water for multi-mile side trip.
Surprisingly had 2 bars cell on Lone Mountain so I had a nice call with Pitcrew. Also gave Hostel of Maine a heads up.
Last 2 miles weren’t bad relatively. Arrived at Spaulding Mountain lean-to (mile 1996.6) at 3:30. There are a pair of retired brothers from west Tennessee here. They are slowly section hiking the entire AT. They are SOBO at present. Chatted with them quite a bit.
There are 2 bars of cell service surprisingly. Texted with Hostel of Maine and booked 2 bunks in bunk room. Since we are adding a day to this part of the hike, we arrive on a Friday and they are nearly full. Glad I reached out today!
Rained at 5:20. Gonna rain on and off this evening. Five other hikers showed up over the course of the evening. All tenters. Had some good conversations.
Overall about a dozen people here tonight. Far cry from the 1 or 2 that I would see last year. In bed at 7:30 and read for an hour.
Technical Notes:
- Mini chocolate donuts x 6 560
- Fig bar 200
- Zero sugar sausage 80
- Fatty sausage 300
- Peak Refuel Beef Stroganoff 810
- Fritos 240
- Geese crackers 190
- Water liters 6
- Miles 8
- Time 7:40
- Elevation gain 2329 feet
- Calories consumed 3100
- Calories burned 2380
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