Date: 2004-08-29
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: East B Hill Rd (Pine Ellis B&B,Andover, ME)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Through with the MahoosucsMileage Countdown: -256.5Today I planned a long day. I had arranged to meet a friend at East B Hill Road tomorrow night, but that would have meant two more short days of 10.4 and 4.5 miles. I don' have the patience for such short days if they are not forced by the terrain, and the caretaker at Speck Pond had told me that the Trail got easier ahead, so I decided to push for EBH Rd, stay in town, and walk back to EBH from South Arm Road tomorrow.But after the difficult trail I have been walking since entering the Whites, a 15 mi day seemed no mean feat. So I was up even before the crack of dawn, to the tune of raindrops on the shelter roof, in order to get a 6 AM start. First, Old Speck, over 4000'. The climb started right from the shelter and was pretty steep. But there were no difficult scrambles, and the last few hundred feet were over rock faces parallel to the mountain slope, with good traction for my boots even in the spitting rain, my favorite kind of climb. So I was up on top in very good time, and was encouraged that my plan was working.The walk down into Grafton Notch was again steep but with no tough sections. So when I got to the first shelter past the Notch I was still making good time so felt I was on a roll. The rain had stopped by then, and the remaining fog seemed to be lifting, so after a quick lunch I pushed on to Baldpate Mtn.That was a really steep and long climb, and with the high humidity I was completely soaked by the time I reached the top, even though there was no rain. I was impressed by the organization maintaining the Trail from Grafton Notch to Katahdin, The Maine Appalachian Trail Club, with the fact that they either built stone stairways or log ladders wherever there was a long, dangerous, boulder scramble that I encountered so much in the maintenance territory of the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club). MATC, I love you!I got to the West Peak of Baldpate Mtn again in good time again, so decided to see if I could arrange for a stay in town. I was in luck. My cell phone got reception (sorry, you purists out there) and within minutes I had reserved a room in this B&B and arranged for a ride into town from the trailhead.The problem was that, as usual, I was a bit optimistic about time. Even though I had padded my estimate with an extra 30 minutes, by the time I came down off the East Peak I knew it would be tight making my stated 4:30 meeting time. East Peak is well above treeline, and is mostly a steep but easy climb over bare rocks. But the fog had thickened and with a visibility of around 100' and a strong wind, it was tough at times to find the combination of cairns and white blazes that led over the summit. The views from there must be awesome, but there were none to be had today, and I still had many miles to go.Again the climb off Baldpate was steep but had many steps and ladders, so when I got to the bottom with 5 mi to go I was right on schedule. But time pressure has a way of working on your head. I still rushed in order to be on time, much to the detriment of the balls of my feet, which have begun to ache again since I increased the weight of my pack again before going into the Whites.As you might guess, I got to the trailhead almost 15 min early. Paul, from the B&B, was already there waiting, with a pitcher of lemonade just for me. Two glassfuls disappeared almost immediately, and an hour later, after a shower and with my clothes in the laundry, I felt I was living in the lap of luxury.