Date: 2007-08-21
From: Full Goose Shelter / Campsite

To: Stealth Site / Grafton Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today I wake and prepare to hike with Wingheart, Castanets and Aussie. I am getting an 8am start and begin by warming up to the south peak of Fulling Mtn. The Mahoosuc Notch is on the down side and I begin down the steep descent reaching the beginning of the Notch. The Notch is supposed to be the most difficult mile on the AT. It is a deep ravine filled with huge boulders and rocks. The trail goes over, around and under the boulders. I have to take off my pack and hand it up to make it through some sections. Other parts require me to climb and jump over deep holes. It's a challenge, especially with a fear of heights. The much-talked-about dead moose is right on the trail and takes my breath away when I get to it, but it is not much worse than some privies. The flies are working hard to consume it but it is a huge undertaking. Someone has hung flags near the moose and it looks like tibetan flags on Mt Everest. I hold my breath and go on. The trail is a challenge but it is fun. I remember doing this section a while ago when I was in my 30's and looking for a tough section to hike. There's a campground at the northern end of the notch and I take my lunch there. Then the long steep uphill begins again up the Mahoosuc Arm. The views are spectacular, the area is wild, rugged, awesome. There's some beautiful trail, open vistas, then I reach the Speck Pond Shelter and campsite. I get some water and climb up Speck Mtn to a great view. After the summit the trail descends to Grafton Notch and ME 26. The day could not have been nicer. The temperature was cool, there was a nice breeze, and the air was clear and clean. I could see forever and the scenery was perfect. I feel like I am in the most beautiful part of the trail so far. The trail is very rugged and challenging, but the rewards are huge. I have run out of day and need to find a stealth site so I walk up the other side of the notch finding a suitable site at a trail intersection. I hang my bearbag, set up my tent, eat dinner and get into my home in the forest. I wanted to hike up to the Baldpate Leanto but ran out of daylight. The trail goes up steep again so I will be better off tackling it tomorrow morning. I am close to the road so I can hear cars going by occasionally. It's cold tonight and I am already in my nice warm bag writing my journal. The others got a ride from the road to a hostel. I decided to hike on and will go to town tomorrow maybe. I'll see. Today I reached the 1900 mile mark and completed the Mahoosuc Notch section so I am feeling pretty good. I ran into Denali who hiked with Bonesaw and Tricycle last year. I haven't been able to get cell phone coverage and need to call home since my last call was disconnected. I have only 266 miles to go, that's only a little more than 10 marathons. Marathons up steep rocky mountains, I can do that, at least I hope I can. I am living on the edge pushing myself to new levels. All the skills I have acquired are now needed and I am learnng some new ones too. I have been walking up steep rock faces and getting used to the technique of jumping and keeping my momentum going up the steep faces. It's hard but it's the only way I can keep going on. I have no other choice but to face my fears and go for it. My hunger lately is amazing. I cannot satisfy it and have to be careful to ration my food so it will last until my next resupply. My pack repair seems to be holding but now my boots seem to be falling apart. I hope I can finish before everything self destructs.