(Daily Mi: 13.3) Humped over White Cap (3644 ft), last serious bump on the way to Katahdin. Met 3 would be Southbounders stopping for water in a col on the south face of the mountain. Say they are splitting up because a friend is having trouble with his brand new boots and walking slow and still a few miles back. Say the climb to the col is by far the worst thing they have seen since Katahdin, and they are nervous for him.

They were a little more than 70 miles into their hike at this point (and only 55 miles from Abol), and when we found their friend on the trail he wearing a giant pair of mountaineering boots and taking tiny little steps like he was walking on broken glass. Was a nervous for him as well. Gets a lot worse before Monson.

The very last bit of our hike flat enough, but the trailbed was from hell.

Found Chile setting up near the shelter. Found a pair of section hiking couples from NC setting up inside. We are glad for their company as they have a pair of PUR filters and the water source is a green pond. On the upside we cadged the better part of 4 quarts off them. On the downside, both filters promptly failed after dinner. We offer to give the water back, but they decline and we don't offer twice.