MAHOOSUC NOTCH
Gentain Pond Shelter to Speck Pond Shelter
Today physically was the toughest day for me so far. Mentally I’m fine but boy oh boy.. 5am wake and hiking by 5:55am. Started off heading South, but not for long.
Passed Speedy González when I turned around to hike North, told him I was just checking to see if the Southern part of the Appalachian trail is still there.
I hiked all the way up till 11am then took an early lunch. Tuna and beans on a tortilla. Much nicer than eating surgery snacks all day.
I passed the West Hampshire/Maine boarder, an erect sign notified me. Felt pretty good to cross into a new state. I was reminded when a I passed a Sobo couple in 2019, the girl said “You gotta love Maine”. I though this was so funny.
Listening to podcasts helped keep me occupied today. I listened to Ian Corless interview Beth Pascal about her 2020 Western States win this year. I also listened to half a trail runner nation podcast with Sally Mcray about her Badwater win. Finally I listened to two other podcasts about cycle touring.
I entered Mahoosuc Notch today. The most difficult mile on the AT. So so so difficult. Boulders the size of caravans to navigate. I climbed over the boulders and underneath them. I put my poles away as so I had my hands free. A hiker I passed later named the Dude had bloody knees, he told me he had fallen.
After a slow navigation of Mahoosuc Notch I then encountered the Mahoosuc arm, the AT’s most elevation gained in the least distance. This did not prove difficult and I passed 2 other hikers.
Finally I arrived at Speck Pond, a large alpine lake, the shelter I was aiming for was just the other side of the lake. Once at Speck Pond Shelter I collapsed.
Turns out not too long after I arrived The Dude (short for the surfer dude as he surfs) turned up. I past earlier on the trail.
We had pleasant conversation around the cooking area as we ate our meals. The dude hails from Florida and told me how if he had thought about this hike before he started and realised it would’ve taken six months he may not of wanted to start in the beginning. He told me he missed his wife dearly.
