Date: 2018-07-29
From: Gentian Shelter 

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

There were two more mountains to climb in New Hampshire¢Carlo and Success. It is appropriate that the final New Hampshire peak on the AT is named Mount Success. A northwest breeze ushered in cooler and drier weather as air I started the final ascent. No gnats either. Perfect hiking conditions! About a half mile out of camp a hiker came up from behind moving fast. When I stepped aside to let him pass I recognized him from the shelter as a member of the SOBO Breakfast Club. The pungent smell of marijuana wafted down to the the shelter from a tent site and he popped down a few minutes later wearing the stoners cologne. As he passed I ask him if he came from Georgia (I already knew the answer). He gleefully responded, ¢no, I came from Mount Katahdin, but I¢m headed to Georgia.¢ I said, ¢well, I came from Georgia and I¢m headed to Maine, so one of us is going in the wrong direction.¢ I pulled up Guthook and showed him the blue dot indicating where we were standing. We were between the icon for the shelter and the one indicating Maine. ¢Yeah, Maine. That¢s where I came from.¢ About that time the fog lifted (figuratively) and he realized he was heading in the wrong direction. Buzz kill!It was a short steep climb over Carlo Mountain. There was a partial view of Mount Success from the summit. The dark gray clouds whipping around the top made it look chilly. I descended from Carlo into a a deep col and then began the steep climb up Mount Success. There were a few short scrambles thrown in for good measure. It was in fact quite chilly at the summit. However, through the sporadic clouds were wonderful views in all directions. I took a moment to reflect on what I had accomplished in getting through the Whites in tough conditions. I also contemplated what was ahead as I looked Northeast at the rugged mountainous landscape of Maine. I sure hope the weather is good up there. Wishful thinking, I¢m sure.The descent down Mount Success was marked by several deep ravines. The terrain was extremely steep, rocky, mostly wet, and overall tricky in these ravines. New Hampshire got the final day! But, at 1100 sharp I came to the sign indicating that I had reached the NH/ME state line. Hallelujah! I had finally reached the final state in an amazing 14-State journey. I celebrated a little and thought about Which Way a lot. I wish she were here. Boy, she would have hated these ravines though. But, we¢d get through it together like we do everything else.Just a little past the state line I came to the blue blaze trail leading to Carlos Col Shelter. I dropped my pack and walked about 150 yards down the trail to get some water. Back at the intersection, I decided it was time for lunch. I have had a hard time pouring enough calories in my body to fuel me through the difficult terrain of the past week. It sure hasn¢t been for a lack of trying.Goose Eye Mountain was the first big climb in Maine. It had a West Peak and East Peak. Both ascents/descents where characterized by deep ravines, short rock scrambles, muddy bogs, and open rocky ridges. Scrubby pines and blueberry bushes lined the trail along the ridges. The sweet blueberries are coming into season and I stopped periodically to eat a few right off of the bush. Goose Eye West Peak presented some tricky obstacles and magnificent views. Perseverance and reward! In fact, there were plenty of each today. I thought of WW for each. She would hate this! She would LOVE that! Every mile was earned today with some type of obstacle to negotiate at least every five minutes. I even had to climb another ladder to get to the shelter. What a day! Maine! Big picture wise I am so close to the finish. But there are still many tough days of hiking ahead. With some good weather there will also be some remarkable views. Of course, there will be the kind and interesting strangers. I¢m so ready!Big day tomorrow as I take on the Mahoosuc Notch. It is considered by most to be the hardest mile on the AT. It should also be one of the most fun miles. Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 3,830Descent - 3,020Grade - 13.5Weather:Day - 67 / Partly SunnyNight - 54 / ClearOver The Horizon: Mahoosuc Notch, ME¢Carlo and Success. It is appropriate that the final New Hampshire peak on the AT is named Mount Success. A northwest breeze ushered in cooler and drier weather as I started the final ascent. No gnats either. Perfect hiking conditions! About a half mile out of camp a hiker came up from behind moving fast. When I stepped aside to let him pass I recognized him from the shelter as a member of the SOBO Breakfast Club. The pungent smell of marijuana wafted down to the the shelter from a tent site and he popped down a few minutes later wearing the stoners cologne. As he passed, I asked him if he came from Georgia (I already knew the answer). He gleefully responded, ¢No, I came from Mount Katahdin, but I¢m headed to Georgia.¢ I said, ¢Well, I came from Georgia and I¢m headed to Maine, so one of us is going in the wrong direction.¢ I pulled up Guthook and showed him the blue dot indicating where we were standing. We were between the icon for the shelter and the one indicating Maine. ¢Yeah, Maine. That¢s where I came from.¢ About that time the fog lifted (figuratively) and he realized he was heading in the wrong direction. Buzz kill!It was a short steep climb over Carlo Mountain. There was a partial view of Mount Success from the summit. The dark gray clouds whipping around the top made it look chilly. I descended from Carlo into a a deep ravine and then began the steep climb up Mount Success. There were a few short scrambles thrown in for good measure. It was ,in fact, quite chilly at the summit. However, through the sporadic clouds were wonderful views in all directions. I took a moment to reflect on what I had accomplished in getting through the Whites in tough conditions. I also contemplated what was ahead as I looked Northeast at the rugged mountainous landscape of Maine. I sure hope the weather is good up there. Wishful thinking, I¢m sure.The descent down Mount Success was marked by several deep ravines. The terrain was extremely steep, rocky, mostly wet, and overall tricky in these ravines. New Hampshire got the final day! But, at 1100 sharp I came to the sign indicating that I had reached the NH/ME state line. Hallelujah! I had finally reached the final state in an amazing 14-State journey. I celebrated a little and thought about Which Way a lot. I wish she was here. Boy, she would have hated these ravines though. But, we¢d get through it together like we do everything else.Just a little past the State line I came to the blue blaze trail leading to Carlos Col Shelter. I dropped my pack and walked about 150 yards down the trail to get some water. Back at the intersection, I decided it was time for lunch. I have had a hard time pouring enough calories in my body to fuel me through the difficult terrain of the past week. It sure hasn¢t been for a lack of trying.Goose Eye Mountain was the first big climb in Maine. It had a West Peak and East Peak. Both ascents/descents were characterized by deep ravines, short rock scrambles, muddy bogs, and open rocky ridges. Scrubby pines and blueberry bushes lined the trail along the ridges. The sweet blueberries are coming into season and I stopped periodically to eat a few right off of the bush. Goose Eye West Peak presented some tricky obstacles and magnificent views. Perseverance and reward! In fact, there were plenty of each today. I thought of WW for each. She would hate this! She would LOVE that! Every mile was earned today with some type of obstacle to negotiate at least every five minutes. I even had to climb another ladder to get to the shelter. What a day! Maine! Big picture wise I am so close to the finish. But there are still many tough days of hiking ahead. With some good weather there will also be some remarkable views. Of course, there will be kind and interesting strangers. I¢m so ready!Big day tomorrow as I take on the Mahoosuc Notch. It is considered by most to be the hardest mile on the AT. It should also be one of the most fun miles. Peace & Blessings - NSElevation Data:Ascent - 3,830Descent - 3,020Grade - 13.5Weather:Day - 67 / Partly SunnyNight - 54 / ClearOver The Horizon: Mahoosuc Notch, ME