Date: 2016-08-02
From: Mahoosuc Notch North Campsite - Mile 1,914.9

To: Frye Notch Lean-To
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

There should be a warning label in the AWOL Guide many AT hikers use - Do Not Hike This Section Of The Trail If The Trail Is Wet! It stopped raining around midnight and that was enough time for most of the trail to be dry. Today's trail was so steep and potentially unforgiving to make me shudder to think if I'd have survived if it had been wet. As it was, today's trail was again a lot tougher than I am and it had me wincing a good number of times.Today began with Mahoosuc Arm, a climb of 1,700 feet that many consider the hardest climb on the AT. My notes from past hikers indicated "granite straight up", "trust shoes or grab", and that one of these hikers fell backwards. I can understand these comments real well now and I felt good having access at the top of the Arm so that I could send Beth a message indicating we'd gotten through it and that we were all safe. Too dramatic, probably - but Mahoosuc Arm has a reputation and that's what I knew before today. Having hiked it now, I'd agree that it is exhausting. There are many long granite slabs so I can understand how easily a fall could easily happen here. Call me a coward - I opted for the "grab" method and used every tree branch or root available in lieu of hiking up the center of the granite slabs. It was a mental relief to reach the top and it was a relief physically too to realize that the toughest part of today was over. Wish that had been true.Old Speck is a climb I don't remember reading about. I suspect I glossed over what was written about this climb because it is only approximately 300 feet. Some in the shelter tonight were saying that the next enhancement to the AWOL Guide is to provide some sort of difficulty grading system. Old Speck was a tough one. Much of it was sheer stone that was fully exposed to that day's weather. Some felt it was dangerous. This climb came right after we descended to beautiful Speck Pond and ate some food as we felt good about completing Mahoosuc Arm. Neither Subman, Suds, nor I saw this one coming and it seems that made it all the more difficult to be confronting another mental and physical challenge so quickly.We then got a break as we descended to Grafton Notch. The trail was a throw-back to descents in other states. Trail that enabled taking full strides and enjoying the green woods around us. It was delightful. There are two Baldpate peaks, an east and a west. The good news was the Maine blueberries that were plentiful. The reality was that this was another physical and mental challenge as we climbed 2,300 feet and descended 1,600 feet. Our look at the AWOL Guide made us seriously consider ending our hiking day at 2:00 and tackling this in the morning. We were pretty beat at that point. It was a split decision to continue hiking. Hikers at the shelter before this climb spoke of the challenging parts but highlighted the great rock steps enabling Baldpate West Peak. Those rock steps were killers. Think of that innocent looking white bunny rabbit near the end of Monty Python & The Holy Grail. Yes, they were skillfully presented rock steps - but they just wouldn't end. I soon was regretting my vote to continue today's hike. This was tougher than I expected and this was touted as the good part of the Baldpate peaks. We'd been warned about the transition between the peaks. Exposed steep slabs with no trees to grab. This was a considerable challenge for someone like me who is afraid of ledges and exposed terrain. Fortunately, the rock is very grippy and our shoes didn't slide as was feared. And then came the views - incredible views. Views I want to remember forever. This reminded me of Franconia Notch and it's breathtaking scenery. Baldpate had 7 ridge lines in one direction and views of expansive valleys reminiscent of McAfee Knob. As we confronted our fears on this climb, I kind of forced Suds to stop as we clung to the exposed stone. I felt we needed to take all this in because we earned these views today and they shouldn't be taken for granted. The ascent was on the scary side. The descent was too. But those views were in incredible. I was so glad to be sharing this peak with Subman and Suds, it reminded me of incredible views shared almost 6 months ago. Fun today? Lots of it. I hope I'll remember that playful chipmunk at Grafton Notch that came so close to us scavenging food. It's probably still there now. Or how about those birds that seemed to be so close to me that I jokingly said that the animals didn't fear me and approached me like they did Snow White. Earlier was the harmless snake that was vaulting itself down rock steps as I began the Old Speck climb. Then there was the rabbit on the trail on our way up Baldpate West Peak. The animals are coming out. Two days ago we saw a moose as it went bounding away from us. Is this really just my 3rd day being back with Subman and Suds? A lot of great memories are being made. Including tonight's bear hang toss. I was awful. I'm sticking with my claim that this was "the worst tree on the AT". After finally tossing my rope line successfully over the desired branch (Subman tossed it), I let go of the end of the line so the toss was for naught. It was entertaining. You had to be there for that one. Suds may still be laughing and Subman said I was hopeless.I'm having fun - again with my trail family. I'm routinely exhausted. I'm admittedly afraid at times by the challenges this trail presents. Easier would be a welcome change, but we can't choose what's ahead - we just have to hike it as it comes.We're heading into East Andover tomorrow morning to resupply our food and get clean. I again don't have access tonight to get this posted but should have access tomorrow so pictures and the journal should be able to be caught up then. Thanks for sharing this journey with me and thanks to Beth and many of you who are encouraging me to find a way to keep going.