Date: 2017-08-16
From: Speck Pond Lean-to

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

8/16/17 Day 80 - 14.7 milesSpeck Pond Shelter to Gentian Pond ShelterSlept very well last night and was a little disappointed to see everything outside was still wet. I was a little worried about the conditions going down the Mahoosuc Arm. It's about an 1800' descent in a little over a mile down a steep slab of rock and the wet conditions did not help. I can honestly say I was a little worried. Who knows how long I would slide if I lost my footing. There were a couple close calls where I slid and lost my balance. It's funny how the one leg goes flying up in the air but somehow I managed to stay on my feet. I couldn't imagine doing this in the rain. Also, on trail this steep, I would have preferred going up instead of down. Made it to the bottom and didn't see the tentsite that's listed on my app. Thought I might pass Destiny if he stayed there but no sign of him. Up next is the Mahoosuc Notch - "the hardest mile" on the AT. I didn't realize I was in it until I climbed over a few boulders - I thought it would have been marked or something. The boulders were still wet from the rain yesterday and the fact that not much sun gets in here. Some people laugh and enjoy this stuff but after the dangerous descent down the Arm and now climbing over these huge boulders, I was pretty pissed. It just feels like the trail organizers are trying to get you hurt. Some of these boulders are 15-20' tall! All I could think of was how many NOBOs make it to this point only to take a spill and injure off the trail. Going under the boulders is just a pain in the ass as you have to take your pack off and drag it over wet dirty rocks and put it back on.  I also got stuck behind a group of younger kids just taking their time and messing around on the path. There is only 1 way to get through this as it is sheer rock walls on both sides. I kept checking my app to see how much longer this nonsense was going to last. I was so relieved to have made it through unhurt. I then crossed the 1300 mile mark which was good for a quick pick-me-up!! Came around the corner and there was the ME/NH border sign!!! Had a snack and talked with some NOBOs who were taking pics and having a good time. They're crossing into their last state and you can see the excitement and relief on their faces. I was happy to have another state checked off this list too! The trail changed quickly and it seemed like I was out of the Mahoosuc range altogether. Hiked up to some ledges and had great views. Also crossed some alpine bogs. Some of the bog boards would sink right in as soon as you put some weight on them so you had to kind of run across a few of them. Who knows how deep some of them are. I kept wondering if there were any bodies in there.  Got to Gentian Pond shelter and set up my gear inside. It's a nice 2 level shelter and I had plenty of space. The only water source was Gentian Pond so I went down to fill my water bottles. I happened to look across the lake and there it was!! The Gentian Pond moose!! I had heard about it from NOBOs I had passed days ago but there it was! He was slowly making his way around the edge of the pond in the water up to his shoulders at times. I really wished I had my good camera but the phone was gonna have to do. Snapped some pics and watched him for a while. I let the others at the shelter know he was down there so they went to get a look. It was getting a little cool and I had enough for one day. So glad to finally be in NH!