Date: 2015-09-02
From: Gentian Pond Shelter/Campsite

To: Full Goose Shelter & Campsite 
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up at 4:30 and ready to go before 6 a.m. It still amazes me how long it takes to pack up in the morning, even when everything is dry.I did not want to get water at the shelter. The water source was the pond. I faithfully filter my water, but I do not want to use any pond water if I can help it, especially when I know the pond has beavers and moose (swimming and pooping in or near it). Even if the pond did not have beaver and moose, it most likely has bug larvae and other things which could clog my filter.A little ways up the trail I came upon a guy coming south who was having a very loud and weird conversation. As he got closer I realized he was alone, and he was not on his phone. He had been talking to himself the whole time. Not a good sign, but he appeared to be harmless. We chatted for a few minutes, then he continued south, again loudly talking to himself.I found a good water source, filled my bottles, and had a little breakfast. Then I headed up and over Mt. Success, which was not an easy task. The climb was rocky and steep, with a few spots that were more than a bit treacherous - as if NH was giving me one last kick in the pants.I was happy to reach the Maine border and stopped to take a few pictures. But the exhilaration did not last long. I soon faced a vertical rock wall with a rebar "ladder." At the top of the ladder I literally had to make a leap of faith horizontally to continue up the rocks. The treacherous climb continued - welcoming me to Maine. By the time the day was over I lost a few layers of skin from several fingers as I clawed my way up and down the rocks.At one point I was trying to lower myself down over a rock face (with a full pack) when my left foot slipped. My hands were tightly gripping a rock ledge, and my right foot held in a rock crevass. But my left leg and body slid down the rock face. When I finally found footing for my left foot I realized that my right foot was now about at shoulder level. I stretched muscles I did not even know I had. OUCH!!I eventually managed to get my right foot freed, worked my way down the rock face, and then had no choice but to keep going. My goal was to reach the Full Goose shelter, which would put me just 1.5 miles from the dreaded Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow. The terrain was tough all the way to Goose Eye Mountain west peak. The treacherous climbs aggravated my back sprain, and the spasms started. To make matters worse, I found myself above treeline. Ever since I got caught in that terrible storm on Mt. Madison, being above treeline makes me very nervous.The rocky climbs and descents had taken more time than I realized. I had also taken a few pack off breaks to help my back. Now, unfortunately, I was running out of daylight. The sun would soon be setting. I considered stealth camping (the setting sun was beautiful), but camping above treeline is prohibited. The wind was also picking up. I did not want to stay above treeline if a storm, especially a thunderstorm, was coming. So I kept going.Finally I was back below treeline, but it was almost dark and extremely steep. Stealth camping was not an option. I put on my headlamp and navigated rebar, ladders, and steps along with steep slick rock in the dark. I went VERY slowly, and spent a great deal of time just crabbing my way down the rocks on my butt. This was a situation I never wanted to be in, yet here I was.I knew my husband was probably wondering why I had not yet sent him my GPS coordinates for my stopping point for the night via SPOT, and he was probably getting worried. Frankly I was getting worried too. I am very nearsighted and have a problem with depth perception, which is much worse in the dark.I knew I could not go back, and I knew I could not stop. But I was also not sure I could continue much further in the dark. I was physically and mentally exhausted. Up ahead I saw a wooden ladder. I pulled myself and the Blue Beast up the ladder, and was greatly relieved to see the shelter.I knew the 3 hikers in the shelter, and they graciously offered to make room for me so I did not have to set up my tent. But one of them has repeatedly claimed to be sick, so I passed. I was not willing to take the risk of catching whatever she may or may not have, so I trudged on in the dark in search of a tent platform near the shelter.I threw my tent up in a hurry, skipping dinner, sent my GPS coordinates via SPOT to my husband, and went to bed completely exhausted. I did not put my food bag in the bear box, but I did drape my stinky clothes over my food bag in an effort to mask any food odors. Just as I was about to fall asleep I thought I heard a low growling sound. Then I heard it again - the noise had my full attention. Great, a bear or some other animal! Just what I needed after a long, treacherous, exhausting day. There was another growl, louder this time.After a moment I started to laugh. The growling was my stomach. I was hungry. Too bad. I was already snuggled in my sleeping bag. It was time to sleep.The AT is calling. So far I HATE Maine. I wish I could convince myself that tomorrow will be a better day, but I know for certain that is not true. Tomorrow I face the dreaded Mahoosuc Notch.