Maine

Today I got blown over by the wind for the first time on trail, probably in life. I was above tree line on Mount Success and it was foggy and windy, making it difficult to see the cairns I had to follow especially when beads of moisture accumulated on my glasses. A gust pushed me and my pack sideways and on the slippery stone my feet slid out from under me. Today was also the second time I got blown over by wind, this time on Mount Carlo. While I went with it the first time and fell well, if not gracefully, the second time I was on much more of a slope and fought it, managing to scrape my elbow and forearm. Rough day. There was no rain but all the precipitation from yesterday and last night turned the trail into a series of streams, pond sized puddles, and deep mud. With lots of rock scrambles and crevices to navigate it was maybe the most challenging day I’ve had so far. But about half way through it I crossed the border and I’m officially in Maine.

It feels pretty good to be in Maine, but it was another ten mile day that kicked my butt. Not too long ago I was doing ten before noon, lately it’s my daily average. I’m at Full Goose shelter (-276.9) and the sun finally came out. I’d say tomorrow is going to be better, but I’m facing the hardest mile on the AT (or the most fun, depending who you ask) Mahoosuc Notch. The word from the Sobos is it takes some people three hours. I think I’m going to wake up early and push for a 12 mile day. It feels like starting over again, that’s a Georgia worthy sentence. Well, if it was easy, everybody would do it. Plus, everyone from the shelter last night is here, or didn’t even get this far, and most everyone fell, one guy face first eight feet, so it’s not just me struggling. The first state is the hardest, except for the last state, the last state is the hardest.