Date: 2012-09-01
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Trident Col Tentsite
Miles today: 10.1

Another hard day! I had really hoped to reach Gorham today, but there was no way. As I made my way up the .3 Carlo Col trail back to the AT this morning, I wondered how in the world I made it down this row of boulders to the shelter last night in the almost darkness & storm. It was a good night in the shelter. Rocket made for a fine shelter companion--along with lots of mice that I could hear running around, but who didn't bother me, or do any damage. Today is beautiful, but no sooner do I reach the AT than I am faced with a climb that includes huge boulders that I can barely get up onto. At one point, I managed to heave my chest up onto a rock, but could get no further. There was nothing to hold onto to pull myself up with. Somehow--now picture this--I manage to roll over onto my back so that my backpack wedges between 2 rocks. I then undo my backpack & get up, then pick up my pack, put it back on, & continue! Not sure quite how I did this, but it definitely required gymnastic skill that I didn't know I had, & an awful lot of energy. The rest of the day included lots of ups & downs, but the ups seem to be getting shorter, & I am using my hands & knees less. The exception was Mt. Success at 3565 feet. Maybe it's called Success since it is the last NH mountain for northbounders. Of course, it is my first NH mountain. Yes, I am finally finished with Maine, which I have been working on in bits & pieces since 2005! Extreme caution is the order of the day since the rocks are still slick from last night's rain & descents always involve slippery, steep rock faces. I slide on my rear end quite a bit! I fell twice, both times the result of stepping onto slick mud. The landings were messy, but not hard!   About mid-day, I met 2 ladies who looked to be a little younger than I, & very thin & fit. They were struggling, said they were only able to make 1 mile per hour, & were hoping I could tell them of a place before Carlo Col where they could stealth camp. I had to tell them that I thought they would have to go all the way because the terrain between where we were & there is just all rocks with no place for a tent. I felt bad for them, but it made me feel a little better that I wasn't the only one out here suffering with this tough terrain. I passed a couple of pretty ponds, took a short break at one & wished I could stay longer. The last little pond was Page Pond & only a mile before my destination. There was a nice spot for a tent right at the edge of the pond. In retrospect, I wish I had stopped there. Instead, I pushed on up one more big rocky mountain & took the .2 side trail to the Trident Col tent site. There is a privy here & a nice spring, but the spring was way down another side trail, & no tent pads. I was just finishing up my supper when Rocket arrived & set up his tent right next to mine. I teased him that he is not exactly living up to his trail name! We talked about the fact that we both spent time today talking to other hikers on the trail. We both agreed that there were just a lot of really nice folks hiking. I've noticed an unusual number of couples hiking this trip. I always like to see that.