Date: 2006-09-09
From: The Mahoosuc Notch 

To: Baldpate Lean-to
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

A lot has changed during my month long hiatus. My return allowed me to bring fresh eyes, ears as well as the other senses. The forest floor, which includes the trail, is covered in Yellow, gold and brown birch leaves. Many still cling to their stems trying to hold onto their green, but the clock is ticking. At the many grand vistas today¢s hike passed, a subtle copper hue is creeping into the vast sea of greens. Even a few dazzling scarlet maples were taking the lead for their brethren.When Golden Waldo picked me up this morning in Gorham, another change was apparent¢¦ The air had crispness¢¦ A sharp-edge bite that is a prelude to fall. We arrived at the logging road trailhead at 7 a.m. Without any pomp-and-circumstance, I lifted my pack with my left arm (the good one) and slipped my right arm (the bum one) through the shoulder strap and buckled and tightened all the necessary straps. The pack felt good being on my back again. Isn¢t it odd how 30 pounds can grow on you?I had 2.5 miles up this side trail before I¢d reach the junction of The AT at the west end of the trails ¢hardest mile¢ ¢ The Mahoosuc Notch.It didn¢t take long for me to be experiencing again that most wonderful of aromas. The scent of evergreen was everywhere ¢ Oh how I love that scent and how joyful it made me feel. To be back out, was a reward all it¢s own. In less than 3 weeks if all goes well, another completed thru-hike.I go back and forth on that subject in my mind ¢ the completion of another big hike or just that I¢m out to enjoy the land and the sights and scents. What a time to cherish and be Thankful!I¢m carrying three splints, two of which I wore today as protection (one over the other). Two are light and a bit flexible with only one metal stay, the other is a stronger, three stay splint that I slip over one of the others. Together they hold my still healing break firm. The extra lightweight one gives me something to slip on in camp as the others dry out.At the trail junction I met a new face ¢ Junco. He¢s been hiking north since North Carolina. We met and decided to do The Notch together. So, who knew that only 30 minutes later I¢d be standing down deep in the boulders after moving through a rock hole, then Junco¢s other route had him slipping off a ledge several feet above my head to tumble head over heels and crash on the rocks at my feet. Somehow, after the eight foot half-pike he got up¢¦unbroken! It was a miracle. It was also pretty damn ironic that I watched it all unfold. He was lucky.We both moved through the remainder of The Notch without our hiking poles. My bum arm made the passage all the more difficult ¢ I was so focused on footing, not speed.Without any other drama, we emerged out the other end after one hour and forty-five minutes. The photo was taken at The Summit of The Mahoosuc Arm ¢ a victorious pose with my bum arm held upright.On top of everything was the fact I was in Maine. Maine is tough or at least the southern end. The terrain is not switch-backed, it simply goes UP then DOWN over roots and rocks and moss¢¦ wetness abounds!The month long break was making my leg muscles scream ¢ bringing them close to cramping. Grey clouds and sprinkles found me by mid-day, fortunately no thunderstorms as predicted. Regardless, I moved with purpose throughout the hike. By 4 p.m. I reached this shelter, got water and watched a big cloudburst roll in at five (it always pays to not lollygag. The rain and wind are bringing with it frigid air. The forecast is calling for temps to plummet into the high twenties! Great gogglymoggly. So glad I brought my 15-degree mummy ¢ it¢s going to be cold tonight.So, I¢ve begun again and the right wrist had no issues. My goal other than Summating Mt. Katahdin is to do away with any further drama and have no more falls ¢ cross your fingers! Goodnight from Maine, the way life should be.