Date: 2018-08-11
From: Gentian pond shelter

To: Full Goose shelter
Miles today: 9.6

I heard the alarm and River turned it off. O chose to ignore it for about 15 minutes before taking in some yoga stretching. Which Way was already up and sitting at the shelter opening enjoying the morning view and coffee. The rest of the shelter was still and quiet. As stealthily as I could I dressed and packed up my bedding then headed down so I could retrieve our bear bags from the box and get my breakfast going. River boiled water and I had oatmeal before packing up by backpack. At 6:25 I headed out. Which Way had left a few minutes before me. Without even a warm-up the climb came for Mt Success. Ironically it's the last mountain in NH. When I finally caught up with Which Way, which I thought would never happen, I commented on how she must have had her Wheaties today. She's such an incredible hiker that it makes me feel much older than I am! I don't think I'll be hiking the AT at 71 but it would be nice to know I could! When I reached the Maine border I sent a Marco Polo video to Brian but there wasn't enough service so it will be delivered when I have better service or WiFi. River arrived while I was there and let me know she saw Which Way stopped at Carlo Cool shelter for water. River filtered water for me up trail a bit and I hiked on. I hadn't seen Bagels and Sarah all day but Gray, Wallaby and a couple of other hikers did pass me. Though today was still a tough hike it was less technical and my mind was therefore free to wander and it wandered all over my family and friends and how blessed I am to have Brian and his love and support. I haven't taken the time from the strenuous hiking these past days to enjoy anything other than the views. But today I stopped at the blueberries, eating and savoring all I could find and letting the flavor linger on my tongue while thinking about Brian. Blueberries are his favorite. I thought about all we've experienced together and the future experiences I'm looking forward to. Like being a "Funma" to Jeff and Victoria's first child expected in February. I'm excited about that for them and for us and I wish they didn't live so far away. It made climbing up the 3 Goose Eye peaks more bearable because they just didn't seem to want to end. When I arrived at the shelter at 3:15 Gray was napping in it. I sat quietly in the long structure and ate voraciously from my snack bag which I had neglected in lieu of the blueberries. About an hour later River arrived and behind her Which Way. Sarah and Bagels flowed in sometime after as did some section hikers out trying to do 26 miles in 2 days. Gray's tramily caught up and they left at 4:30-5pm to do the Mahoosuc Notch and camp on the other side of it. The group of young section hikers were going to try to get to Carlo Col shelter another 4.4 miles away but after talking with us and understanding they would not make it before dark they decided to stay the night here. They were not going to be able to make the 26 miles in 2 days. The terrain is too difficult. Which Way was able to help them with her map and gave them an alternate route for tomorrow where they could get to a trail head parking lot and hitchhike to where they left the car they thought they'd hike out to. During dinner we all agreed on a 4:30 wake up. River, Which Way, Bagels, Sarah and I will do the Mahoosuc Notch together making it fun and helping each other. The section hikers would head south on their alternate route. The German hiker is here tonight also as well as some tenters and a hamoker. Because of the bold and brazen deer mice inhabitants of this shelter Which Way has decided to tent. She couldn't stand the thought of a repeat experience of a mouse in her hair. She didn't bring her rainfly but found a tarp she could fashion up and made herself a fine tentsite where she'll sleep in peace. Me on the other hand I'm not sure. While the rest of the group cooked on the rocks across from the shelter the German hiker cooked in the shelter and the brazen beady eyed mice seem fond of his end of it. I'm far away and thankful for the unusual length of this shelter. But as I lay here watching the sun tint the sky I'm also watching to see if those little buggers come my way. I'm not above using my hiking poles as skewers. I'm sleeping better in shelters these days and I hope tonight is just as good because 4:30 will still be dark. Tomorrow in new light and hopefully dry weather we'll be 5 women strong conquering the most difficult section of the Appalachian Trail together. Team Mahoosuc!