Legs and Borders

Finally a regular day of hiking! Pastor Candice promised that she will pick us up at 6 AM, I've woke up before five, packed and ate the rest of roast chicken from last night. Motel owner prepared me a coffee which was much appreciated. Pastor came on time and she took myself, Trademark and Rainbow back to trail, road was long and empty, we saw a moose standing right in the middle of it at one point, we had to stop the car and wait for the confused giant to find it's way back to the forest. Trail was more reminiscent of what we used to hike back in the south, gradual climbs, few rocks and boulders, not much climbing just hiking which after a wild ride in New Hampshire was a welcome change. Only the first mountain of the day Baldpate had a White Mountain's vibe, it was an exposed climb on top of the massive granite slab and it was quite fun, I can imagine it wouldn't be so in a bad weather. Stream of Southbounders continued, they've...

One of the days I couldn't plan for so I just rolled with the punches. Early start with the "hardest and most fun mile on Appalachian Trail" just behind the corner. Mahoosuc Notch is a one mile long boulder field that requires you to put away your trekking poles and use your hands and legs extensively to weave your way through it in a problem solving fashion. "The exact origins of the word Mahoosuc are unknown. One possibility is that it comes from the Abenaki phrase meaning “abode of hungry animals”. It is also plausible that the name corresponds to the Massachusett for “mountain peak”. It took me just over an hour to solve the puzzle and it was indeed fun despite the wet conditions. Shortly after it started to rain again. I've climbed over the Mahoosuc Arm and carried on along, weather was getting worse by the minute, temperature was low and it made my muscles stiff. Trail was exposed, rugged and steep...