Gorilla Tape FTW

July 8, 2024

mile 394.5-420.5

(Halfway Hilton Lean-To) (2 miles of portaging)

When we woke up this morning the lake was covered in a dense layer of fog but right as we were ready to get on the water around 8:30 it began to lift. We were both pretty nervous about our patches holding up but believe it or not, not a drop of water leaked through. We had 25 miles today to make it to Rangeley where we'd planned on getting some Flex Tape and resupplying. We started the morning paddling across the Richardson Lakes, the water was like glass and it was one of the most beautiful mornings of the trip so far.

Next was a short portage to get to Mooselookmeguntic. We passed Carrie Gertrude Stevens' home and filled up our water bag at her old well. The water was ice cold and delicious and we were glad we brought a 5 gallon collapsible jug with us for this last section of trail. We spoke to a woman who owned the camp next door and told her about the holes in the canoe and she told us to come over to her house where her husband could give us some more tape just in case we needed it. Ten minutes later we were resupplied on tape and given a whole bag of mini KitKats! The tape alleviated a lot of our stress, we were worried that part way through the day it might start to peel off and we'd be shit out of luck.

We had a beautiful paddle across Mooselook, it was hot, hot, hot out so we took a break partway across on a small island to swim.

Next up was a portage through the town of Oquassoc where we stopped and got pizza and juice from the general store. Then stopped at the outfitter just down the road where I found the cutest little canoe earrings which of course I bought.

We took our time at the put in at Rangeley Lake, I swam around in the ice cold water while Henry rigged up his fishing line with a new lure. Then we were off and paddling across our final lake of the day. The clouds came out and a breeze picked up and the break from the sun was much needed. The looming Saddlebacks got closer and closer, memories of the AT and looking down at this lake from the top of those mountains flooded through me and made me feel nostalgic. What a beautiful sight.

We paddled up to the take out in Rangeley and looked at the map trying to figure out our next move. We'd planned on resupplying here but the grocery store was the other direction than the shelter just outside of town and we really didn't feel like walking there. Now that we had extra tape and planned on being at Maine Roadhouse tomorrow we decided to just head straight to the shelter for the night. We headed to the put in on Haley Pond and I stayed with the canoe and gear while Henry walked to a sports bar and picked up two bacon cheeseburgers for us.

We ate them at the small park while watching a beautiful sunset, had a quick paddle across the pond with a beautiful pink sky behind us, and ended up at our final portage for the day.

Looking at it on the map you would think it would be simple but we should've known it would be hard as fuck. We unloaded the canoe knowing we'd have to make two trips. Henry carried the canoe on his shoulders while I carried as much gear as I could and we struggled down the path.

The sun was fully set and the woods were dark but we'd left our headlamps back at the pond. A flood had come through and destroyed the bog boards leaving them strewn across the path, more tripping hazards than anything. The final trail to the shelter was uphill of course and I literally felt like we were hiking the AT with an 18 foot canoe. After returning for our second trip of gear including the 5 gallon bag of water (which itself weighs 40 pounds), Henry collapsed in the shelter with his pack on and said that might have been the hardest part of the trip so far.

I set the tent up in the shelter while he recovered and then talked to Dad on the phone for awhile. Thank God we didn't have to make supper tonight.

What a fucking day. I'm just glad our canoe held up and we actually made it here to Rangeley.