Date: 2013-09-08
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

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

Day One Hundred and Eighty Four - (9.6)Gentian Pond Shelter to Full Goose Shelter1900 miles and I made it to the fourteenth and last state! I'm in Maine... but it was a hard day. Yesterday the trail had been better than we had seen in days so we were disappointed with how difficult it was today. First there was a crazy steep hill (there were stunning views of the Whites from the top tricking us into thinking the day would get better), then a rocky, muddy trail filled with tree roots. The half mile before the Maine border had an unbelievable rock scramble that was just a huge drop with slanting slabs of rock below to try to land on. I couldn't believe this was the trail but soon forgot about it when I heard cheering ahead and knew that the Maine border was nearby. At the border sign there were at least ten other thru hikers sitting around eating, I was soon one of them. After lunch and pictures we decided to check out the trail in Maine. It did not look promising. There were a lot of rocks, a lot of mud bogs (the kind that are at least as deep as a hiking pole) and even though there was a definite trail we had to watch where we placed each step. It really slowed us down. When you are on ridiculous trail silly things go through your mind. I never thought that pole dancing could be a prerequisite for hiking but today I swung around so many tree trunks hanging on for life as I tried to maneuver down smooth slabs of rock that were far too steep I began to wonder if I should have taken a class. That was going down, going up in Maine is just terrifying! First there were rock walls that had rebar to help (of course the rebar was placed for giants and not for a short person like me), it was awkward but I managed. Then there was a rock wall that had no rebar but a tiny ledge maybe two inches wide with a few other possible footholds. I somehow managed to climb up on the ledge but there didn't seem anywhere to go and the top of the rock was still over my head so there was no way to pull myself up. After panicking for a few seconds I saw one foothold just a little too high for comfort and a possible hand hold (it was way over my head and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to grab onto it) above. With no other options I had to get my foot in position and just jump up hoping there would be enough momentum and time to grab the handhold and pull upward. I am not afraid of heights at all but this was beyond scary! Amazingly everything worked out as planned and soon I was up and over the rock wall. I wonder how many people have fallen there, my pack is pretty light most hikers would be carrying almost double the weight and still have to make that leap of faith. After that the rest of the hike seemed easy, I came to some large mud bogs where the duelling boards of death had sunk into the mud and it was a little tricky trying figure out the best way across but nothing like earlier. There were absolutely beautiful views today and if the trail had been a little kinder I would say that I am going to love Maine. I guess time will tell. We made it to the already full shelter and set up quickly knowing that it would be raining soon. Good night world!Trouble