Toughest Mile On The Trail - Or Funnest

Day 190

Friday September 29,2017

Miles: 1912.9 - 1922.6 Completed: 9.7

Time: 6:11am - 7pm

Weather: Below freezing start

Tented at Grafton State Park

You should always be careful what you wish for. Two days ago we were dying in the heat and were begging for cooler temps. We got them. I forgot to specify my temperature preference with my request.

In life we are often wanting this, or that and when we receive it, or achieve it we wonder why we ever wanted it in the first place. Grass is seldom greener on the other side, it only looks that way. Once you step over the fence to grab the lushness of what you think is better you realize it was just the light tricky you. it's not long before you come to your senses and then appreciate what you had. In my case warm weather.

The temps were only cold over night and for the first hour or two in the morning. We only need to change our routine slightly to compensate for the fall temps we were asking for on the 90 degree day.

Before I go any further, don't panic, I know "funnest" isn't a accurate, it is "funner" to use than the grammatically correct phrase and I like to have fun. And fun is what I had on mile 1914.5 to 1915.5 - Mahoosuc Notch. It is deemed the most difficult or fun mile on the Appalachian Trail.

In the Notch hikers must navigate over, under, and or around huge boulders that have fallen or were carved out when the ravine was formed. It took us 2 hours and 58 minutes to traverse this one mile, pure hiker misery or heaven. I loved it. It was a giant jungle gym for this little monkey.

Mahoosuc Notch

Black Bear in Mahoosuc Notch

Batman in Mahoosuc Notch

After we made it through safely Batman hiked out ahead of us. He is much stronger and faster than we are. Hiking wasn't the only chore for him today. He needed to hitch a ride from Grafton State Park, back to Gorham, NH to retrieve our car. Then return to Grafton where Shortcake and I would be.

Shortcake and I arrived at the trail head just as the sun set. We set up our tents and had supper. It was well after dark before batman arrived with the car and our resupply for the next stretch. Once we gathered from the bat mobile what we needed we all retired for the evening. Another day done.

Happy Hiking.