Date: 2018-09-01
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up for moonrise at 10:30 last night (quite the big orange slice) and caught sunrise too. Humidity is gone and the air is crisp in the big woods, so long pants and sleeves were today¢s dress code. Would have been regardless given today¢s destination: The Mahoosuc Notch. Lying but 1.5 miles downhill from the Full Goose Shelter, ¢the Notch¢ is considered the hardest mile on the AT. Typically hikers will spend several hours working thru this mile of granite boulders. The AT runs over, around, and under the jumble of large rocks that filled this small valley when one side of the mountain collapsed therein. This section is unlike anything else encountered in the AT¢s 2,189 other miles and, to say I ¢highly anticipated it¢, would be an understatement. Breaking camp and heading toward the Notch list in thought, I passed a group of college kids hiking north as well. One of them called out, recognizing me, and stopped my tracks. It was Robin, one of the Crew from the Madison Hut, where I did ¢work for stay¢ in while hiking the Whites in July. (We took a few moments to catch up and I wish her all the best as she begins college. Chase your dreams!) Funny what a small world it is sometimes.Treehugger, a retired Army Ranger medic, and I stopped at the head of the Mahoosuc to tighten up our gear before entering the Notch. (Anything simply hooked on won¢t likely survive the obstacle course) Was happy to have a second set of eyes along for this section. We scouted our routes and worked together. At times passing packs thru the holes we squeezed through. It was slow going and took us an 90 minutes to complete. It wasn¢t ¢hard¢ but it was fun and challenging. The next step, climbing up Mahoosuc Arm out of theNotch, was however VERY hard. Yowza, what a climb. We were dripping sweat upon arriving at Speck Pond. Took a lunch break before pushing on up Old Speck Mtn. (Another tough climb in its own right)There were many day hikers on Old Speck enjoying the clear weather and holiday weekend. Tremendous views were afforded from the fire tower on top, as well as cell service. We called for a shuttle to meet us in Grafton Notch and then rolled down the long ¢accessible side¢ of Old Speck doing the last 3.8 miles in about 90 minutes. Yes, that pace was a little quicker than our recent work, but we were hurried by news of trail magic below. We arrived in time to catch RatBucket (2012 thru-hiker) and Marisa before they packed up. Had a couple of big cheeseburgers and a cookies. Wow, what a treat!! Big thumbs up to y¢all for the holiday treats. Our shuttle hauled us across rural Maine to the small town of Andover, home of the Pine Ellis lodge. We checked in, grabbed bunks, took showers, and did laundry before walking a block into town for AYCE Italian dinner at the Red Hen. There were about 20 hikers gorging themselves when we arrived. Hikers get happy when the buffet is laid out, and icy beers are available, so laughter & trail tales flowed. This continued as we made our way back to the front porch at Pine Ellis in the dark and stayed up well past hiker midnight. Tomorrow we¢ll slack pack over Baldplate Mtn and return to the lodge. What a marvelous day. The miles were difficult but the day brought endless smiles. A great piece of the long journey and one I won¢t soon forget. Life is Amazing...Keep Walking.