Date: 2010-08-15
From: full goose shelter

To: grafton notch
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

At 8am this morning I entered the mighty Mahoosuc Notch...supposedly the toughest mile of the entire AT as thought by most folks. Exactly one hour and twenty three minutes later I emerged safely on the other side. Whoo-hoo!So why is it so hard? The notch is filled with truck sized boulders and the trail makes it way over, under, around these giant obstacles. Carrying the fat pack and being alone make this section even more challenging. Thankfully the rocks were dry today. I've been through here before so I knew what I was getting in to.Yes its very scary in some spots...I had to lurch, crawl, scooch, slither and slide my way around and over several of these big rocks. I had to take the pack off a total of five times as I squeezed my way through some of the tunnels. At times I had terrifying thoughts of falling into the bowels of these rocks never to be found....but than I had an even more terrifying thought....what if I tore the hiney side of my shorts as I slid my way down one of these beasty rocks!! Thankfully none of my fears came true.After leaving the jumble of boulders the trail than makes a steep climb up Mahoosuc Arm. I thought it was going to kick my ass but instead I found it to be easier than I had expected. In many places I had to scramble up steep ledges but there were always plenty of good hand holds. It went up and up and up!! I have done this section of trail in the past but have always traveled south....I can say with out a doubt heading north on this part is much more enjoyable. At the top of the arm I took a nice long break and enjoyed the endless views all around me. Another banner day! The trail than drops down to Speck Pond where there is a shelter and tent sites. Truly another absolutely beautiful place. The Mahoosucs have been delightful yet very challenging and I was once again very pleased with doing the short miles.Leaving the pond the trail than begins the final climb up to Old Speck. On one of the ledges near the top I stopped to take another rest break. Far in the distance I could see the Presidentials and Carter-Moriah range and not too far ahead I could see Goose Eye, Mahoosuc Arm and off to where the notch was. It was so peaceful sitting on this rock and it was so cool to be able to see where I have been traveling over the past week. I am not sure how long I sat on that ledge for but I'd say about a half hour later I heard foot steps coming up behind me....and turning around I saw mtnpa emerge from the woods! We sat on the ledge for a while longer and he shared some homemade brownies...oh so delicious! After having our fill of views we than made our way to the top of Old Speck. When we got to the summit I was greeted by MJ and mtnma was there too! MJ shared some homemade cookies and he also had a nice cold beer...yum yum..thank you! We all hung out for a long time and than headed down to Grafton Notch.By the time we reached the lot I was starving so we all went to Bethel and ate at Bob's BBQ...oh my goodness...it was to die for! MJ had bought a strawberry rhubarb pie from the pie lady for desert which was delicious! What a day! Thank you MJ, Mike and Ginny for coming out to hike with me.Jibitz