Date: 2010-07-04
From: Mt Carlo

To: Speck Pond 
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

1. CPR   The link in my watchband failed and my watch took a hard fall. All the settings have been reset to who knows what. However, I am now able to adjust hte minute display, which I haven't been able to do since I replaced the battery before this trip.   Also, I left my gloves at the Rattle River trailhead after leaving Gorham. I didn't realize this until I had hiked about 2.5 miles. Since I really hadn't used t hem all that much, I just decided to hike on without them2. Report. I was very tired last night. After the long hike, I was looking forward to settling in at the Carlo Col Shelter. However, it was 0.3 mi off the trasil and I had passed an AMC youth group who were plannin g to stop there as well. I just went down to fill up water and hiked on to cowboy camp on the summit. I found a nice place on the rocks and sorta out of the wind. It was probably blowing around 20-25 kts. I love my alky stove; but admit it doesn't like to operate in the wind. I finaly got dinner fixed and ready for bed, It was totally dark. I was in my sleeping bag to get out of the wind, but my feet were really cold. I was too tired to write my journal. I did have cell coveorage and called to report in to Libra Lady. I don't remember turning my cell phone off before falling asleep. I was cold most of the night and didn't sleep too well. When I got up the this morning, I discoveored that the teeth on my lower zipper pull had separated and opened up the bottom half of my bag.I usually check my daily plan before going to bed and review it again in the morning. However, since I was so tired last night, I skipped my night planning session.   I really like the Maine AT maps. i was looking to hike 15-18 miles today, when i read in the small print that the Mahoosuc Notch was in play today. This is generally reagrded as the toughest mile in the AT. I started out for the 1st shelter which was barely 5 miles out. It was a major challenge for me today, absolutely no energy. I saw Cool Tool and another NOBO, as well as a couple of SOBO. I proceed to the Notch and really got whipped there. It was pretty difficult section nd hard for me to find which line to take. It seems that I'd be going 20-30 feet and then run out of any hikeable terrain. The floor of notch was covered in an ice patch and probooably around 60 deg with a nice wind. Hiking 20 feet above the floor was rocks and sun and probably 80 deg. There were 3 plpaces where I had to take my pack off and climb thru these mini-tunnels But, taking my time and being careful, I finally completed this mile. Fortunately, the wx conditions were clear and sunny, althoug h a little warm. I'll take this section over the hot PA rocks or the windy, rainy Whites any day.I finally got to the Speck Pond Shelter just before dark, totally whipped. There was someone in the corner sawing logs hard already. I fixed dinner and got my gear ready for the night. I was told by the caretaker there was cell coverage here - not for my Iphone, but for my backup phone. I called a hostel in Andover to make reservations for a stay and arrange shuttle pickup. The owner offered to pick me up at the next notch and I agreed immediately. At this stage I would have probably agreed to almost anything. I then tried to call LL but no more cell coverage. I then checked my hiking planner and discovered that I really wanted to be picked up at another notch; however, being whippe and no cell coverage i decided not to try to change things I chcked my zipper pulls and went to bed. I did notice that the chain saw snorer left his headlamp on. So i did my good deed for the day and turned it off.Life is Great!