2017 Appalachian Hike

9.5 miles today. It took me 11 hours. That’s pretty slow. 

The trail was challenging all day today, but there was one section in particular that was over the top. 

Mahoosuc Notch is famous for being the hardest mile on the AT. It’s very hard to describe. It’s basically making your way through this massive boulder jumble. The boulders vary in size between the size of your couch to the size of a small house or big garage. 

I slid down boulders on my butt at least a dozen times. I had to step or jump from one boulder to the next and keep my balance with my 45 pound pack on. I had to take my back pack off three times in order to squeeze through tight places. At one spot I had to crawl for about twenty feet under a jumble of boulders and drag my backpack behind me. 

Most people do it faster than what I did. I took Amy’s advice and went slow and safe. I was so thankful for dry rocks. I can’t imagine doing that in the rain when the rocks are wet and slippery. 

The air temperature in the Notch was 10-20 degrees cooler. There is still snow and ice in some places. M

The climb after the Notch was very difficult. 1700 feet in elevation gain in 1.1 miles. 

The shelter is full of mostly southbound hikers. I decided to pitch my tent. I barely got my camp set up and it started raining so I have spent my evening in my tent. I’ll have to be careful on the rocks tomorrow. The shelter is on Speck Pond. 

It’s getting harder to resupply. Access to towns or services is scarce here. I just resupplied but I only carry five days food. So now I have to plan for four days from now.