Miles: 6.9
Today started late, with the knowledge that we only had to go 6.9 miles. We woke up, lounged around, read a little and then figured we should do some hiking. So we did.
The first 2 miles were great and then we went up and up and up and it didn't really stop. We passed the border of the MATC-maintained portion of the Trail. Gone are my beloved little brown signs and free shelters. We're now in the AMC money pit (Appalachian Mountain Club, better known as the Appalachian Money Collectors). We just paid $16 for a stay in a crowded lean-to... this sucks! We are also running into larger crowds of dayhikers, weekenders and NOBO's, making the Trail seem crowded. Of course, it's probably nothing compared to what NOBO's experienced at Springer Mountain (the southern terminus of the AT in Georgia). We talked with one hiker who told us she started with 150 people on the same day!! We started with 2 others, and haven't seen more than 10 SOBO's. I think it makes for a more pleasant hike.
We only had one mountain to do, but it was one of those never ending ascents. They just just keep going and going and going... unfortunately, my little battery got worn down about half-way up. It started sprinkling as we started the descent off the summit of Speck Pond Mountain down to the lean-to. The views would have been spectacular, if we could have seen past 5 feet. The clouds surrounded us, robbing me of my pay for the hard climb up and making the path down a dangerous slip-and-slide. Fun stuff, right?
Tomorrow we get to do what is commonly referred to as the hardest mile on the Trail - through Mahoosuc Notch. And it's wet. Oh, boy. It'll be a long day.
- Sopping Wet Bobo