Date: 2009-08-29
From: Full Goose Shelter and Campsite

To: Speck Pond Shelter and Campsite
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

August 29 --The forecast for rain was verified by 2am and never stopped. The noisy 10-12 college aged kids sharing, rather hogging the next 2 tent platforms had packed up early, in the dark, I followed after breakfast, not rushing after being alerted by Sunday yesterday of what was to come. The trail was steep and rocky enough before the notch and, with the intersection of a side trail, there was no doubt where the Mahoosuc Notch began. Because of the blowing rain the camera had been packed dryly away, a pity, since the notch is nearly indescribable. The Companion states, "...this scramble under, around, over and between the boulders..." which is a good start, but I think the editor was pressed for space. He could have gone with words like, "dangerous, warning, do not go it alone, say your prayers, you could die here", but that still would not prepare you for the obstacles and pit falls that lie ahead. "Scamble under", I found it necessary to remove my pack twice, the first I was able to push my big, heavy pack half way under the boulders, belly crawl over it and pull it in to the "cave" formed by the boulders overhead, at least it was dry and out of the rain, the second time I had to push the pack all the way through the small opening, across uncooperative, uneven rocks, before crawling in, it was nuts! "Around" at times challenged my 6' 6" reach and leg span, I cannot imagine smaller people getting by, it was like climbing around Volkswagen Beetles. "Over" was scary, mounting the slippery boulders, knowing that once on top I must go down the other side, I looked for a way around. "Between" the rocks was tight at times to where I had to climb vertically before moving on, very exhausting. Locating, then believing the sometimes blazes, sometimes arrows, trail markings was oftentimes tricky. Sunday and John had passed me as I slowly made my way through in the blowing rain of Tropical Storm Danny and I was nearly out of the notch when I lost concentration enough to damn near die. Standing on a steeply downward slanted slab, I went to plant my left foot on a tee root, about 3" diameter, but the outside boot edge slid on by, causing me to fall quickly and hard on my left side, my left leg from shin to the upper thigh raking across the root as I slid, stopping only when I was able to grab the root, now on my belly, my feet dangling off the edge. I was stunned, after a short rest, I pulled myself to my feet, light headed, I evaluated the damage. Bending my left knee beond 90 degrees was very painful and I was spooked by the whole thing. "That's it!" I declared, I was getting off the trail, besides, I hadn't had a zer0 day since Glencliff. Soni was in NH this weekend, I would get to a phone and have her once again pick me up, but first I had to get out of this mess. I located my poles and slowly continued, fortunately I was nearly through the notch, and the Speck Pond Shelter was ~2.5m up the Mahoosuc Arm just past Speck Pond. Along the shore of the pond I met Car Hop, wrapped tight in rain gear, but still his usual black socks and sandals, his usual cheerful smile as he began his usual night hike south. My first human contact since my fall, I must have complained bitterly about the notch for Car Hop's face turned to concern as we chatted briefly before moving on. I reached the shelter where Alabama Grits, Rock Lobster and Walkabout were settled in, but all I longed for was the tent, my dry clothes and down bag, no care for food or even hot drink. I made my way to the caretaker's tent and inquired as to the terrain off the mountain down to ME26, thinking that I might make a run for it tonight, but with conflicting impressions I got from her and her guest I decided to stay, and shortly I found a large tent platform, "GROUPS ONLY", screw that, go ahead and fine me, it's mine! I assembled the Big Agnes as quickly as I could with my now unnimble, cold fingers, and I was reminded of months ago in NC and TN of how difficult the plastic clips on the tent fly can be to attach to the tent loops with limited dexterity. I finished up by tapping the tent stakes between the cracks in the deck and crawled inside, temperature now at 51F, when the caretaker called from outside, there was an $8 charge for the night, crooks! "I can't pay right now, I'll come over in the morning", I stuttered back. She offered to get me a hot drink, I declined kindly, and said she would be back later anyway to check on me, which she did. It seemed that as the darkness came that the rain was less, the wind increased to a steady flapping on the tent fly and the temperature was dropping, all as my left knee was stiffening with increasing pain.