Date: 2008-08-28
From: Carlo Col 

To: Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 10.7

The 5:00 sun slanted through the hemlocks and maples as we strode down the Mahoosuc Notch access trail to Karen's car, which we had stationed at the   trailhead this morning.    Rushing water from Shelter Brook grew louder, then fainter, as the trail criss crossed its rocky banks. I was so happy to have a break in the ups and downs on the last leg of today's hike. 2.3 miles in 47 minutes, I think was the tally from Certain when we got to the car.   This morning we began at the Carlo Col access trail, and made quick work of it going uphill. Once on the AT we moved over Mt Carlo, then East Peak of Goose Eye, North Peak of same, then Fulling Mill Mtn.    Coming down from Mt Carlo we encountered a capable and experienced couple who graciously took time to talk with us about their hikes. "Just a Few Steps" and "Tortoise" were doing a section SOBO over to Gorham, and had done the Notch last year. I asked them how long it took them to do it, and Tortoise spoke right up and said, "Two hours and 37 minutes!" They both said that it was not that bad, and that they felt a lot of fear mongering was done about that and other sections. I so appreciated their calming comments, and felt considerably more settled after our encounter. I wished we could have chatted more, but we all had to be off on our respective ways.    When I stood on Carlo and looked across to Goose Eye, I saw what I thought were a couple of downed tree trunks lying high against the unusually steep cliff side. Certain pointed out to me that they were really log ladders, and that yes, the trail went right through the woods, up that flank and over those ladders to the cliffs. A somber moment of personal reflection followed, and then we were off and running. No sense putting off the inevitable.Ambient weather really put a lovely spin on this challenging hike, I can only imagine what it would be like in wind and rain. We clambered up to the cliffs and ladders, and one by one hoisted ourselves over the rock faces. This was the kind of formation where to look down at any point would have caused me to glue myself to the precipice for the rest of time, so I resolved to look straight ahead and visualize being on a training wall in some gymnasium. It worked. I avoided a fear induced paralysis, and soon was over the top and on to the next peak.Somewhere on the North Peak Certain and I stopped for a lunch break, high up on an open area in the sparkling sun. Mica flecks are embedded in the rock there, short bushes like juniper and blueberry and cranberry fit themselves in between the rock expanses. I ate my second sandwich and then just stretched out in the sun to bake for a few minutes. It felt just like charging up my batteries, and I had pretty decent energy after that, to my happy surprise.Certain said that she was feeling better today, with more energy and less trouble digesting her food. Together we made a positive experience out of a challenging set of conditions, and I have a strong sense of satisfaction about that as a result. I am finding it hard to get my things ready for tomorrow's early start, so must go take care of that and get to bed. Friday is Notch day, in which we hope to videotape a few escapades from deep in the bowels of Mahoosuc Notch. Stay tuned... Auntie Mame------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.