George Steffanos1d ago

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September 13, 1983: The Appalachian Trail descended alongside Moss Pond's outlet brook to Gentian Pond. A trail shelter was perched atop a small ridge flanked by the pond on one side and another great view to the south on the other. I caught up to a couple of guys there — the first people I had encountered since leaving Gorham.

#backpacking #hiking #outdoors #landscapephotography #NewHampshire #nature #forest #mountains #AppalachianTrail

Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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Past the shelter, the Appalachian Trail assumed the level of difficulty which I had expected to find in the Mahoosucs. A near-vertical ascent of smooth rock ledges was followed by an abrupt plunge into a col.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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I struggled over a couple of rugged knobs and commenced a long, grueling climb up Mount Success. The air remained chilly, but I was sweating up a storm.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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The footway was a twisted mass of loose rocks and tree roots, topsoil eroded away down to the bedrock. Many stretches almost required a human fly. I rubbed my two front legs together, folded back my wings, and crawled to the top.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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Insect Boy was rewarded with about a quarter-mile of open ridge walk with constant 360-degree views, following which the Appalachian Trail dropped steeply into a deep col, climbed over the tip of a knob and descended into a shallower col.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos
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At the bottom of that short, steep descent, I was greeted by a trail sign marking the last state line to be crossed on this journey. I was beginning the final 279.5 miles — the Maine miles — to Katahdin.
Mar 28 at 1:05pmWeb
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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The Appalachian Trail climbed over a knob, descended steeply into a high pass called Carlo Col, and ascended just as steeply to the summit of Mount Carlo. There were great views from up there, but what else is new? I did not encounter a wooded major summit all day:
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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Even some of the knobs had open crowns. The trail down into the col between Mount Carlo and Goose Eye Mountain was tricky and steep — very hard on a played-out body. I was beginning to question my ability to make it over Goose Eye Mountain to the shelter which was tonight’s destination. My legs felt like warm Jell-O.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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I climbed steeply (of course) back out of the col to the ridge crest of Goose Eye, coming out near the westernmost of the mountain’s three summits. The sun was sinking and taking its warmth with it. The invigorating bite which had enlivened the air all day was degenerating into a numbing chill.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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On the other hand, the entire span of ridge crest between the west and east peaks was rocky and open, with continual panoramic views.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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I descended into a low sag and climbed over smooth, vertical rock ledges to the east peak. Goose Eye was the scenic highlight of a memorably scenic day of hiking. The ensuing mile-and-a-quarter to the north peak of the mountain were mostly above tree line along an open, boggy ridge so characteristic of the crest of the Mahoosucs.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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After another precipitous descent from East Peak, the Appalachian Trail traversed open rocks, scrubby peat moss bogs, and a couple of shallow, wooded canyons before making an easy, gradual ascent along the ridge to North Peak. Thanks, I needed that.
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago
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I did not need the final steep descent of the day, climbing down off that open, rocky summit into a wooded col,
Show threadGeorge Steffanos1d ago

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but on the floor of that col was Full Goose Shelter, my home for tonight.

From my book Then the Hail Came (A Humorous and Truthful Account of a 1983 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike). Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QFG4ZR6

You can read or listen to my book for free if you are a Kindle Unlimited eBook or an Audible Plus audiobook subscriber. Both options are available from Amazon, where the paperback, eBook or audiobook can also be purchased.

Then the Hail Came: A Humorous and Truthful Account of a 1983 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike: Steffanos, George: 9798792784185: Amazon.com: Books

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