Andrew's Journal: Day 5!

   Hiked 12 miles today! Started without big gains or losses in elevation, but the relatively 'flat' terrain was really Maine's definition of flat: R&R (rooty and rocky) We started off hiking with Jon, but were quickly left in his dust as he joked that he let the beagle set the pace (though before he headed off, he was sure to double check where we'd be staying that  night :)). The boy scouts hiked north and asked us to tell their second group, who had fallen behind, where they were going tonight. Just after we delivered that message, we crossed a small-but-swift river on a foot-bridge no wider than my foot and found another group of boy scouts... this time in matching t-shirts :) One of them actually held out his hand to help Lyss down from the far end of the bridge! But did anyone help down ole Andrew? Nope! ~sigh~ Gender Discrimination: ... just when I thought I had gone far enough to escape the ills of society, one rears its ugly head :(
   After that blow to my ego, we started the long and arduous climb up Nesuntabunt Mtn. It was challenging, no doubt. I mean, I was worn out when we neared the top. At one point the pain in Lysandra's feet brought her to tears. We still can't figure out what's behind the pain, but it's a regular struggle on hikes. Near the top we met a couple of northbounders (NOBOS) coming back from the lookout to retrieve their packs from where they had left them by the trail. Though I'm normally interested in the trail names of the hikers we meet, my exhaustion sufficiently squelched conversational curiosity, so we politely exchanged pleasantries as Lyss and set down our packs and headed to the lookout. The view from the top was fantastic. Words don't do it justice, but suffice it to say that the struggle it took to get us there made it a lot better. AND, while we were there, I discovered the panoramic setting on my new digital camera! Bonus!
   In the evening, as we rounded the corner at Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, Jon let out a sigh of relief. He had obviously been eager for company, and said as much. Lyss and I tried our first Lipton Knorr Side for dinner (hands down, the most popular food of choice for an overwhelming majority of distance hikers on the A.T.). It was salty, nutritionally bereft, and kind of gross, but it was easy, and quick to cook, which is what counts when you're exhausted. There were clouds in the sky, so we set up our tent inside the shelter, and it fit (barely)! I felt kind of silly, but having a bug net without the stuffiness the rain fly brings is SWEET! and besides, Jon was the only other hiker there, and he... doesn't seem like the critical type.