After 1,917 miles of hiking, we have never found a steep climb where we said to each other, “we wish we were southbounders so we could be going down this hill instead of up.” However, today we added two spots to our top ten list of places we’re glad we didn’t have to descend: the Mahoosuc Arm is a 1,600′ climb in 1.4 miles that in some ways is a vertical version of the Notch, with big steps required over and around good size rocks; and the 600′ climb up Old Spec Mountain, which few people had talked about, but which has much slanting bedrock as the trail surface, much of it out in the open near the summit. We were very fortunate to be able to do these two today in mostly dry conditions (except for a few runoff spots, and some mist and fog).

Our day began as early as possible, with us once again bemoaning the loss of the early sunrises from way back in June. It seems like in September, 7:00 a.m. is the new 6:15! Castaway and Kleenex make breaking camp look so effortless, but at least today we weren’t holding them up. Although we couldn’t get a weather update down within the narrow walls at the edge of the Notch, this was the day the long-range forecast had said the hurricane rain would arrive, and we really wanted to beat it to town. The clouds and fog were increasing as we finally stood on top of Mahoosuc Arm.

We came back down to skirt the lovely Old Speck Pond and take a food break at the shelter. Near the summit of Old Speck (a 3/10 mile side trail that this morning would have had no view) we were able to send Suuz a text with our possible ETA. However, the AT finally turned gentle again on the way down to ME 26 (why it reminded us of the trail back in VT where you could actually hike rather than scramble!), and we sent Suuz a revised earlier arrival time, with a note to look out for a trail magic opportunity with Purple Rain and 30-Pack who had breezed by at our last break. The weather update from passing SOBO’ers sounded dire (rain, rain, and more rain!), and we were glad to reach the parking lot dry, where Susan greeted us with sodas, chocolate milk, and freshly-picked, locally grown Macintosh apples all around!

After showers at the hostel, we drove to Bethel for a meal at the Crossroads Diner. We started with a full loaf of homemade bread, ended with clean plates, and homemade blueberry pie. Our only disappointment was the rain which we now wanted to start quickly, to speed its overnight passage, refused to begin until after dark. How fast the storm moves through will determine our plans in the morning. Apparently, no pain, no hurricane, no Baxter State Park…

We are so thankful for Susan’s support making it possible for us to be in a dry bed tonight. Her timing to come be our local road/trail angel has been immaculate…