Day 28 - Mahoosuc, you say? (29/7/2016)

It occurred to me this morning that Grafton Notch was only 2 miles away where I could probably get back to Andover and see about my documents. I reassembled my pack (which had exploded all over my tent in the frantic search) and then I felt it. In the bottom of my pack. My phone. And everything else. Hurrah!!!

B-Hiker was almost as happy as I was.

For weeks now I'd been hearing from NOBOs that the Mahoosuc area was tough. Especially the Mahoosuc Arm (a long steep section of bare rock) and the Mahoosuc Notch (a long, difficult rock scramble). Today I did them.

The Arm would have been deadly if I'd been climbing it, but on a dry day it was just a slow descent. It's not often I prefer going down to up, but this time I was glad to be a SOBO.

The Notch was just plain fun. Narrow passages. Caves, boulder climbs and scrambles! My rock climbing days were useful. This turned out to be a hard and short, but fun day.

Start:Bald Pate

End: South Mahoosuc Notch

Distance: 10.4 miles

Day 27 - Money, Tickets, Passport (28/7/2016)

I had a late start out of Andover this morning, so I pushed for 8 mile to get ove at least one ridge before the forecasted thunderstorms hit. Most of these ridges are long sheets of bare rock that are nice and grippy - when dry. When wet they become a hard, bumpy, painful slip 'n slide.

I managed to get to Bald Pate and settle in. Met a German woman living in New Jersey named B-Hiker and had a nice chat about the trail, but decided to turn in early. In my tent I went looking for my journal notebook whence I noticed a missing zip lock bag. A zip lock bag containing:

~$50 cash

1 mobile phone and battery 

1 credit card

1 debit card

1 driver's license

1 Canadian passport

And people thought bears would be the worst thing that could happen to me on the trail.

I begged kindness from B-Hiker who was heading into Andover and promised to call in at the hostel to see if it was there. She also gave me $20 to hold me over in Gorham. With any luck one of the PELT crew saw it and have packed it in for me.

Eep.

At least I still have my whiskey, because tonight I need a drink.

Start: Andover ME

End: Bald Pate

Distance: 8.0 miles