Wednesday 29th Aug

I was awake by 5 but dozed to half past. then got up and went to find the loo I should of asked last night as I wandered aimlessly around for 10 minutes. I eventually found it and wow what a loo it’s new and large quite grand in fact .
once back at my tent ( no food bag to collect as i slept with it .) It’s not the bears it’s the rodents!!!!!!!!

I put my stove on for a brew and breckie as I stripped down. At the back of the camp i watched this lady hiker who got up and in seconds was packed and walking in minutes Wow that’s impressive i said to myself sadly I’m not that fast .
I scoffed my instant oats, slurped my tea and then I was away . Today’s target was 17 miles can I do it ?Well I was going to try .

I walked back to the trail and was away ..small climbs at first then I was up on the rock. I’m sure this trail was drawn as a doodle as I seemed to be going round in circles. But then wow what a views.
The lakes below looked amazing , I stood for a few minutes before pushing on . It was going to be a lot of climbs this morning then a straight down to Rangeley . But my map often lies .
The climbs were more up, up down up ,up down up ,up, up up down a bit then flattish .

The trouble with these is they kill me .. but I pushed on .I have to say that the trail was bloody good . Well maintained a kind a few weaves and a lot of bog crossings which is FUN and challenging. ha ha.
In the distance I began to hear the sound of cars must be nearing civilisation .I crossed over a road then straight up another incline . WOW , Wow..Bloody wow . what an amazing views of Rangeley lakes.

Rangeley is famous for its ski resorts. It’s where the young Olympic hopefuls come to train and in summer it’s also fisherman’s paradise, so a busy tourist place.

There was a bench that I collapsed into . and as I was eating few snacks a German hiker calledcame by.

We studied the maps together . cool 4.5 miles to the power lines then down into Rangely. but sometimes my maps lie

I headed off first, knowing he would soon whizz by me, Which he did .

My next target was the hut (lean to) by the lake that would be my almost halfway point of 8.5 miles. . I shortly came to the lake which looked so idyllic, the trail followed it around and there was the shelter whoop and it was only 12 pm. Snail you have got this i said to myself .( But I haven’t a clue what is ahead)

I got water from the lake, then walked up the side trail towards the shelter. There were several tent platforms here. I dumped my stuff then walked up to the shelter, signed the register before walking back to my gear.

I put on a brew and ate snacks , a fellow hiker came and went as i relaxed in the sun.

It was whilst I was here that I noticed that my phone was low on charge odd I thought and plugged in the battery . The battery said ” I am Dead” Bollocks . not now I need you … Oh well It is what it is

Okay snail we need another 8 miles

I pushed on and was so pleased when I passed the power lines but then my GPS wouldn’t fix and kept telling me I had 12 miles to go . No no that can’t be right so I ignored it and just hiked on.

I spent the next hour crossing bog after bog until at 3 pm I took a much needed a break .It was at this time my phone died Great!!!!!

I sat and ate the rest of my snacks .I was Hoping to meet up with a friend but with no phone I’m blind !!
I pushed on until I came to some BlackBerry bushes here my speed dropped. As I gorged on these little gems ..

Come on Snail ……

I pushed on as my watch pinged 5pm oh god how much further Then i passed a sign 1 mile. thanks Maine guys I like that. several bogs later and a few scary slab manoeuvres and I am at the road, but with no phone do I go right or left .

As I sat pondering a guy got dropped off .

Which way to Rangeley I asked.
“it’s left, but walk on the left hand side until your past the barrier, The “Hiker hut is there . why don’t you stay there?
I thanked him and set off up the road, eventually coming to a sign for the Hiker Hut. I stood there for 10 minutes with my thumb out before deciding to go check out the place.

I walked down and into a beautiful garden . Sat at the table were the German duo of Father and daughter, then the man in charge appeared .
“Any room ” I asked
“I have only the tent.
I went and looked yes that will be perfect .Yes that will do me .I was given supper for $7 and I washed that down with two beers.
He was heading into town, so if i came I could grab a shower at the sports ground and then grab a six pack . COOL I said jumping in his car.
The sports centre was a trendy Gym . I signed in and enjoyed a long shower., Put on clean clothes before being dropped off at the store.
“I’ll be back shortly ,there are 2 other hikers in there.
I grabbed a basket got some more cash then began to shop.

I only came in for beer but while I’m here i might as well grab a few things. As im going around the isles i bump into Kaleidoscope and Ahem.
“Hey your clean was the conversation” lolol
I continued my shop, whizzing around grabbing bits and beer. I grabbed s six pack of Shipyard 5.5% yummy. As I got back into the car there was an amazing sun set over the lakes but sadly no camera
Once back I chilled with other hikers then off to my tent which I really like .

Night all

Start. 1953
Finish. 1970.5
Miles. 17.5
Miles left 220