6/23/2022 –
West Carry Pond Lean-to (165.2)
My yellow air mattress is blood speckled from mosquito bites and minor scrapes.
We camped beside the highway through Caratunk, a thoroughfare for 18 wheelers racing past all the night. Not our typical Wilderness ambiance, but convenient for getting to the ferry 0.3 miles away. Hikers are not permitted to camp near the river.
OB and I arrived at the ferry site very early. I cooked breakfast there. We expect a long SOBO queue waiting for a ride across today, 12 or more, and those are only the ones I know of. 2 hikers are ferried per crossing. Ferry hours are restricted to 9-11am.
Some impatient hikers have attempted to wade or swim the Kennebec. This usually proves extremely strenuous or disastrous. Dam releases unexpectedly which accelerates the current and make already cold water frigid.
OB and I were first across. The shuttle took 5 to 10 minutes. I was assigned the job of paddling in front. We waited for others in our tramily.
We agreed to stick together in pairs or groups in goshawk territory. Subsonic took point. He waited for nearly everyone to catch up, then our group of 8 to 10 marched through the goshawks nesting area. Subsonic thought he saw the hawk glide through the woods shortly after a an unmarked Brook Crossing near the nearest lean-to. Shortly after that we saw a sign facing toward NOBO hikers warning of an attacking bird in the area. Thankfully the goshawk left our large group alone.
We heard later that Huggy, hiking alone, was attacked by the goshawk. So far as we know he is OK.
Some sad news this morning. Real Bill is getting off the trail. He overextended his knee, and is going home to try to rehabilitate. Said he may meet us after the Whites.
Fairly easy 14 mile day to West Carry Pond Lean-to.