Day 25 - 7/3 - Chairback Gap Challenges with Dad

Branch Lean-to (67.8) to Chairback Gap Lean-to (88.5)

Views from White Cap Mountain

This morning was a little cooler than the past few days, in the low 50s. So, it took me a few minutes to get out of the warmth of my sleeping bag and into my cold hiking clothes. Consequently, I didn’t get on the trail until 8, after my very sugary breakfast of two honey buns and two Hershey’s chocolate bars. I spent most of the morning hiking to the top of White Cap Mountain, which was my first time back above the tree line since leaving Katahdin. I was rewarded with some great views and stopped for a snack at the top. 

The Pleasant River where I forded it

Then I did another 5-mile stint to a lean-to where I had lunch before continuing to the Pleasant River. The river is quite wide, although not too deep, so I forded it barefoot, carrying my shoes and socks. My dad was waiting on the other side, as he hiked in from a road to camp with me tonight. I gave him my food back, and he gave me his tent, so I could go on ahead and make camp.

Sunset from Chairback Mountain

It was ‘only’ four miles from the river to Chairback Gap lean-to, but unfortunately for my dad and for me, they were the hardest four miles of trail since Katahdin. It was a tough 3 hours uphill for me, and then I set up the tents at camp. Once camp was made, I hiked back down half an hour to carry my dad’s pack into camp. Together, we made it to camp around 8:30, with just enough time to eat and hang our food before nightfall. It was definitely a tougher day in the second half, but it’s really nice to be camping with my dad.