Date: 2004-09-02
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

I survived Mahoosuc Notch!!The days started with a chill in the air, such that you could see your breath. Great for sleeping, but tough to get out of sleeping bag.Nevertheless, I wouldn't get anywhere laying in he shelter.After bulking up on breakfast, it was time to hike the trail. Most of he hikers at the shelter had already left for their trip through the notch. It was an easy 1.5 mile hike to get to the start of the notch.The famous Mahoosuc Notch is a narrow valley a mile long between two shear rock cliffs. Laying on the valley floor are boulders anywhere from the size of basketballs up to house size. The AT runs down through this notch, up, over, under and around these rocks.I've heard about it for years, and was looking forward to hiking through it myself. So Bear and I entered the notch at 9:45AM. No more than 100 yards in my foot slipped off a tiny 2" foot hold as I climbed up over a rock.Unfortunately with a 30+ pound pack on my back, there was no recovery.Backwards I fell off the rock. The pack actually broke my fall, but I did get pretty banged up and a twisted ankle.From that point on I managed to keep my feet under me. Bear and I pulled ourselves up over and around the rocks. There were even spots we had to take our packs off, stuff them through a small hole or cavern, then we would pass through. Definitely not your normally everyday hiking, but nonetheless rather exciting.At 11AM, we exited the north side of the notch. I felt very pleased that we got through in 1 hour 15 minutes. AND I was only bleeding from 4 locations.Respectable, I do believe.Next was the climb out of he notch. I think the climb out was rougher than the notch itself. The climb was very steep and long. I'm doing much better with the moderate climbs, but the vertical ascents are still eating me up.After I reached the top, where Bear was, it was lunch time. The top offered a spectacular view. There was hardly a cloud in the sky. It was also possible to see Mt. Washington in the distance. It was rather unmistakable with the flumes of black smoke bellowing from the trains.After lunch, we pushed on to Speck Pond. It was so peaceful and quiet. I wanted to stay there the rest of the day. The plan, however, was not to stay the night there but push on to Grafton Notch.The hike up to Speck Mountain from the pond and shelter was pretty rough as it was exposed and pretty steep. But I managed OK, and soon found myself on top.The hike down to Grafton Notch was grueling. 3000 feet in three miles. I normally don't mind downhill, but that's way too much. By the time I reached the bottom my toes were screaming. When hiking downhill, my toe is the first thing that contacts the ground and bears all my weight. Which by the way, I'm still losing weight as my pants do not fit the same as a week ago.Anyway, the toes were in pain with each step down the mountain.Bear and I relaxed for a few minutes before making our way to the road in an attempt to hitch to Andover Maine.Luckily we got a ride with a nice younger couple who was out day hiking.They dropped us in the town of Bethel, ME some 20 miles away.Once in Bethel, we had dinner at a Subway in a gas station conveince store.Suprisingly, Bear then scored us a ride up route US2 about 10-12 miles to the intersection which heads to Andover.So there Bear and I are standing at the road side, having traveled 30 miles, but still having 10 more to go. Just then a nice lady who was returning home to Andover from work picked us up. She actually just moved to this area from CA, only to find the town over run by hikers. She said that she's used to picking up hikers now.When I was at Trail Daze, Timmy Tuckered out highly recommended "The Cabin"Another hiker named Loon is great friends with the folks from "The Cabin"and recommended it too. Bear hiked with Loon for a few days and heard all kinds of great stories. So we both knew where we wanted to stay.Our ride; however, didn't know where "The Cabin" is located and we had some difficultly finding the place. In an effort to find our destination, We called and got directions. Soon we found ourselves at "The Cabin".What a fantastic little place, and run by some really great people! It's going to hard to leave this place!