Date: 2022-07-25
From: Tent Site

To: Grafton Notch 
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

More demon conquering today - Mahoosuc Arm. A vertical, rock intense stretch called the hardest of the AT. Overnight I heard some latecomers into the site. They apparently love fires so I caught whiffs of a campfire. Actually quite pleasant. I didn¢t bring a sleeping bag, again to save weight. It worked out just fine with a silk sleep sack. I did add a fleece to my upper body as the night got cooler but the temps were very moderate. A good night¢s sleep with the help of earplugs to mask the regular wind gusts. Turns out those were signals that the rain was coming. Sure enough, right when I was going to emerge from the tent and start prep for the day we were hit with a downpour. Imagine the dilemma of feeling quite cozy and comfortable right where I was in the tent yet knowing I needed to get started on a long day of hiking. I did get out of the tent during lulls on the rain to take down my bear bag (hung in tree to keep food from critters) and put on boots, etc. Ate in the tent, including caffeinated Crystal Light (boy that helped with my attitude when I was climbing throughout the morning!) and did other pack up inside and so when a rain lull came at 7:45 I jumped out, took down the tent, final packed and was on the trail at 8am. It started to rain again but I hiked on. It actually kept me cool. So instead of sweaty and hot and wet I was sweaty and cool and wet! :-) I was up Mahoosuc Arm in a couple of hours. The views as shown in the photo were awesome! Then the part up to Old Speck Mountain, the part they don¢t talk about, came next. Hand over hand exposed rock face climbing in gusty winds. Not for the feint of heart! Reached a trail juncture that was the last cell signal before descending so checked in with the shuttler to estimate the time to hike the last 3.5 miles. Ziggy said it would take 3 hours. It ended up taking me 5 hours. Lots of downhill, wet rocks. Had to go slow to avoid slips and falls. My energy level also lowers as the day wears on. But I dug into that reserve they say you always have deep within. Was later met on the way down by Bubble Gum and Day 1 , two young section hikers from CT. They had arranged for a shuttle from Ziggy as well. Day 1, a young black man who was very talkative, hung with me and talked and walked me down. Very, very considerate young man. On the way he did discover wild blueberries for the first time in his life. He asked if those were OK to eat. I said go for it! The joy he got from that first experience was a wonder to behold. I finally made it to the Grafton Notch trailhead parking lot at 8pm. 12 hour hiking day. Felt every bit of it. Whew! Ziggy got me to my Bethel, ME B&B and then took the two hikers to Gorham, NH which is also his home. I was back in town too late for restaurants so I walked down to the 24 hour convenience store / gas station to pick up some beer and snacks. Drank a full Gatorade on the way back as I staggered up the hill to the B&B. Just sat there grubby, boots still on and savored the food and drink. Some flow of life returning to my body. Things never taste better than a reward like that after a major endeavor. Finally after that I did jump into the shower, then ibuprofen, then bed. Tired, achy, stiff. What a day! What a long day!  What a proud day to have conquered the demons that had been plaguing me for a year. Not sure about the remaining 266 miles of the AT. But,  for now, feeling damn good! Good on ya, Bionic Man! You slayed those dragons.