Date: 2014-09-04
From: baxter peak

To: Mahoosuc campsite
Miles today: 7.1

In which I enjoyed this beautiful, fine day by climbing over, under and around boulders. Today was the long awaited and anticipated day. It was Mahoosuc Notch day! The dreaded, infamous or fantastically fun notch which is considered the longest 1 mile of trail through boulders, not just little boulders but boulders the size of cars! This mile did not disappoint. It was a challenge and sometimes fun....and sometimes frustrating, puzzling and confusing but nevertheless an adventure. This was the shortest miles I've hiked in one day! It also took me 11 hours!I slept pretty well last night until the winds blew in and dropped the temperature down into the 40s. That made getting going easy since I had to keep moving to keep warm. I had three climbs up before the next shelter and that got me warmed up fast. The views were spectacular, climbs not too hard and high bogs abundant. Mud was everywhere! Naturally I stepped ankle deep into it several times soaking my feet.One descent in particular was very steep and terrifying. The guys ahead of us took our packs down while we turned backwards facing the rocks to shimmy down. There also were many wooden ladders to descend and a series of iron rungs. At one point my foot slipped off the rung and got wedged in between the rock and rung. I tried not to panic, to loosen my foot, get it back on the rung and not fall 30 ft. below. The end of my hike due to broken bones flashed in front of my eyes....NO! Well, all was good. Foot placement recovered and bones intact. I'm really not liking these steep descents.We all stopped for lunch at Full Goose Shelter before the Notch. Bliss, Walk About, Mason, Mystic Pony and Nubbins were here. The sun was so lovely and warm I didn't want to leave this respite. But onward! At 1330 it was back to business. Off to the Notch we went after one more climb of course.By 2pm the fun began. I waited for Nubbins and chatted a bit with the others. The Notch lived up to my expectations. There were huge boulders thrown around and scattered about, often slippery and wet and covered with beautiful, green moss. Trees arose on either side of the notch framed by the mountain walls on either side and blue sky above. It was noticeably cooler in the Notch, like stepping in to an air conditioned room on a hot day. It smelled musty and damp.We literally climbed up the rocks then down, over and under then, with packs on and off and butt scooted down more rock faces. We had to take many leaps of faith from one boulder to the next and climb down backwards searching blindly for the next foot placement and that was after wedging one's body between the rocks to grab the helping hand to pull us up. We also climbed into caves and slid through narrow openings just to pull ourselves out while hollering at the people ahead of us to see where we were to go next.It was rather exhausting and a little fun. I have a few more bruises and scratches to add to my collection on my legs. Even added a few to my hands and fingers from grasping the rocks so tightly. I'm very grateful to be done with that. Tomorrow the Arm awaits! Maine sure welcomes you with a bang!I'm ever so grateful to be in camp tonight with 2 other women after having a safe day of climbing. The water is babbling down the river through the notch. It's very soothing and otherwise very quiet, except for the symphonies from our squeaking air mattresses as we move.I'm fed, dehydrated and tired....and very happy to be going to bed. What a day!!!