Date: 2014-09-04
From: Carlo Col Campsite

To: Bull Branch Campsite
Miles today: 7.1

I slept well last night. Alarm went off at 5, and I managed to start packing up, trying not to make too much noise and disturb Movin' On on the next tent platform. I had mixed my oatmeal concoction, as well as an instant breakfast concoction, last night, so all I had to do was add water and stir them up. I climbed the .3 up to the trail and was on my way by 7:30. The day was magnificent -- cool, sunny, very clear, and a light breeze. I got to the top of Mt. Carlo reasonably quickly and headed for the west Peak of Goose Eye Mountain. Goose Eye has three peaks, all bare, with both rocky and boggy areas. Movin' On had caught up to me between the first and second, and we stopped on its summit for a snack. Walkabout joined us, and we all commented on how wonderful it was to have the privilege of being there to experience such beauty. I can see why a young shelter caretaker some years ago had said Goose Eye was one of his favorite hikes. Morgan and Misty Pony came by, and we all began a tricky descent, climb to the north peak, and then a long, steep, and, for me, slow descent to the Full Goose Shelter. Some of the bog bridges had sunk, and I think all of us at one point or another went up to our ankles in muck. Wet shoes again! Naturally, I was the last to arrive, though Bliss, a 35 year-old woman who had arrived late at Carlo Col last night, came in shortly afterward.We ate our lunches, and Walkabout, Movin' On, then I, left for the 1.5 mile hike to the beginning of Mahoosuc Notch. The half mile up Fulling Mill Mountain was not bad, but the mile downhill was tough. It took me almost an hour and a half to reach the Notch, which I entered at 2:18. I soon came upon Movin' On, Morgan, and Misty Pony, who had waited for me. They said Walkabout had waited until they arrived. More amazing trail community. The two guys went on ahead, and we began navigating what was a jumble of huge rocks that had fallen into the mile-long narrow notch between two nearly sheer, high cliffs. Which path to take, where to put one's feet, whether to use poles or hand them to the other person in tricky spots, when to just sit and slide, when to risk a jump, all were part of what is known as the hardest mile on the AT. It was a constant challenge -- and actually fun. Misty Pony waited for us at three especially difficult spots to help out -- usually by taking our poles and packs so we could go through small spaces under the rocks. He did the same for Bliss, who passed us about half way through. It took us three hours, which was about what we expected. Movin' On usually went ahead, and she was wonderful about checking to see if I was doing okay. Having company made the adventure less scary than it might have been had I been alone. Many thanks to her and the guys. We came out of the notch and soon reached the informal (i.e. not official) Bull Branch Campsite noted by both AWOL and my stealth site list. Bliss was there, so we were three women together. She said it was the first time she had camped with just women over 30. We talked about the trail, the value of being in charge of one's own time, and the sometimes difficult times being with numbers of guys who are not sensitive to those around them. So, I wanted to get through Mahoosuc Notch with all my body parts still attached and in reasonably good working order, and I did. Pants are dirty, shoes are muddy, and I have a little hole in one of the belt pockets of my pack. Not bad, and I am happy with the day. Tomorrow, I hope to get to the shelter past Grafton Notch. It will be another hard day, climbing steeply up Mahoosuc Arm, down and then up Old Speck (not quite to the summit), followed by a long, steep descent into the notch, and another climb to the shelter, which is partway up Baldpate.