Date: 2017-09-11
From: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite

To: Speck Pond Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

9/11Full Goose Shelter and Campsite to Speck Pond Shelter and Campsite 5.1 miles Total miles:  1918.0Today was the day I was to hike through the much anticipated Mahoosuc Notch, famed as the AT's most difficult mile. Tengo Hombre, Gravity, and I hiked out together at 7:30 to finally experience the Notch.  My hope was to hike through the Notch and then climb Mahoosuc Arm, the very steep mountain just past the Notch. The approach to the Notch was far from easy, as we first hiked over Fulling Mill Mountain and then headed down to the Notch.  The descent was pretty steep and included another set of rebar ladders down a steep rock face. Climbing up such a ladder is straightforward, but climbing down one is a bit unnerving. There is really no way to turn around, so you descend the ladder by placing the ball of your foot on the rebar and wedging your heel against the rock as you walk down the rock face.  It's something I doubt I will ever get used to. To add to the excitement, one of the rungs on today's ladder was bent in at the middle.  I have no idea what force hit that step to bend it inward, but it added an extra few difficulty points. We arrived at the Notch and proceeded into its boulder field, from which we would not depart for 1.1 miles. For fun, I started the timer on my watch. I don't know what the record for completing the Notch is, but I had the same attitude I take toward running marathons. Completion is the goal. As Becky likes to say, "We're completers not competers." There was no worry that I would break any speed record, because it took me three hours and twenty-one minutes to make my way through that 1.1 miles. The trail led through a jumbled maze of huge boulders that had to be climbed over, squeezed through, and crawled under. White blazes and helpful white arrows led you on, but there were many places where you needed to puzzle out which way to go. Many places had multiple routes that could work. Several times I started one way, only to double back when I reached a point I couldn't figure out how to continue past. The route includes numerous tunnels, which require you to remove your pack and either push it ahead of you or pull it behind you. Many hikers stow their trekking poles, but since my balance isn't always the best, I kept mine with me. There were many places where a dropped pole would be gone forever as it fell between huge boulders, but I managed to hang on to both of mine. Numerous times I carefully tossed them in front of me, crawled, climbed, and pulled myself past the present obstacle, and then retrieved my poles. It was extremely strenuous, focused work, and I can't say I was sad to see it end with my only casualties being a torn off rear pocket from my pants and bloody knees. The scrapes on my knees are all superficial, so no harm done. Also, I had the forethought to take my wallet out of that very pocket this morning and stow it in my pack.  I did have one scary moment when I was working my way along what I thought was a solid ridge between two boulders. There was a spot that had a growth of roots and leaves over it, and when I stepped there, my left leg fell down into a hole over ten feet deep. Fortunately, I grabbed the side of a boulder and was eventually able to get my leg back out of the hole, again with no harm done.  I can't exactly say that making my way through the Notch was fun, but I enjoyed the challenge and remembered to be grateful that I had beautiful weather. Hiking the Notch in the rain would add another layer of excitement. I plan on posting several photos I took in the Notch. There is a campground immediately past the Notch, and I arrived there about 1:30. My initial thought was to decide I'd had enough excitement for one day, but after eating lunch and resting, I felt ready to go on. Tengo Hambre and Gravity were also in agreement, so we hiked up the very steep and challenging mountain named Mahoosuc Arm to close out our day. The 1.5 mile ascent was perhaps the steepest I have encountered yet, with all of the attributes of using roots and trees, scrambling over boulders, and climbing on hands and feet (and sometimes hands and knees). I told Tengo that I felt like I was reverting to an earlier life form, because I would sometimes continue my hands and feet crawling past the point I needed to. The ascent took a bit over two hours, and I was rewarded with some beautiful views near the summit. Also, the boggy, muddy slog that often accompanies ridge walks was much less pronounced today, and for the first time in several days I arrived at camp without my shoes, socks, and feet being soaked with muddy water.  The mile long descent into Speck Pond Shelter and Campground was also much less steep and difficult than usual, and I made it into camp at 6:15. I practiced my new skill of pitching my tent on a wooden platform, as there was no flat, rock-free ground to be found. Gravity arrived soon after I did. The three of us were quite pleased to have Mahoosuc Arm behind us. I only covered 5.1 miles today, but considering that I successfully navigated two of southern Maine's leading attractions, I feel very pleased with my progress today. There are still several more very challenging mountains to climb in the next week or so, and like Tengo and I discussed while in the Notch today, the best approach is simply to take things one step at a time. The white blazes frequently are painted high atop boulders, or point into seemingly impossible situations or tiny holes, but they do ultimately wind up on the summit of Mount Katahdin if you keep following them.