I got up late (0630) and ate breakfast in the hotel. After discovering that rain was forecasted this afternoon (for the entire state of New Hampshire), I decided to return to Maine for another AT hike. On the way out of Gorham, I got gas at Cumberland Farms with my new rewards card (0815). Just after I crossed into Maine, the sprinkles started... Fortunately, I outran any major rain (via US-2, ME-5 and South Arm Road) - it was a long drive but I managed to get started into the woods (AT SOBO) by 0915. The temps were in the 40s again, with just a hint of sunshine. I was immediately faced with another Maine “bridge-less” river crossing but didn’t get wet. The section was short but the amount of work I needed to do to link up with my last AT turnaround was daunting. I had to climb 1000 feet, descend 1500 feet and then climb 2000 feet - and that was just during the outbound leg! From previous experience with Maine AT climbs, I expected lots of steep, rocks, roots but no switchbacks. So I wasn’t surprised by the conditions. I’d hoped to layer down on the way but the chilly breeze (and my increasing perspiration) prevented this plan - I was too wet to take a chance to drop my body temperature. I met three hikers during the first climb: a mom and son (backpacking) and a solo guy (I assume he was a Thru but I didn’t say much to him). Otherwise, I saw no people, heard no cars and just kept trekking. There was lots of evidence of moose but I never saw one. From the top of Moody Mountain, I got my first glimpse of the terrain (Hall Mountain) that awaited me - yikes! Both sides of Sawyer Notch were VERY steep and the ravine was quite deep - I had to take the descent almost as slow as the earlier climb. I used rebar handles, shimmied down wooden ladders, dodged blown-down trees and grasped threes for balance. Somehow, I didn’t fall. At the bottom, I had to cross another river with no bridge and then the climb started with a vengeance. I’m pretty sure I was traveling at about 0.5 miles an hour on this ascent - just putting one foot in front of the other and taking many breaks. My body was not feeling cooperative but my mind coaxed more steps (some were really big because of the rock scrambles). Finally, I arrived at the summit and located the lean-to where I’d last stopped in 2020. The view back across Sawyer Notch to Moody Mountain was even more daunting, especially after I’d spent so much energy already. It had already taken me almost as long as an entire four mile hike would but I was only half way done... The rest of the hike was a combination of determination, survival instinct and patience. Somehow, I made it down and again. There were many times I wanted to stop and rest (read “go to sleep”) - this section took a huge toll on me. Eventually, I found myself on the last downhill and, barring a misstep, I felt like I would make it to my car. As often happens on hikes like this, I’m sometimes surprised at the steepness of the initial climb - I end up thinking “how did I get up there?” and “WTF was I thinking?” Still, there is a huge amount of satisfaction when you get done with a section that was so tough - every mile gets me closer to finishing the AT! Reached my car at about 1545 (after 8.5-9 miles). Just then, it started sleeting (!) - hard. The weather cooperated long enough for me to hike (yaay!) and all that remained was for me to backtrack to Gorham for the night. I was in my room by 1730 and spent the rest of the evening eating dinner (snacks again), cleaning up and reading. Went to sleep at around 2200. Hoping to get some more outdoor time tomorrow - weather doesn’t look too promising but maybe I can find a Memorial Day event... AT Today = 4.1 miles / G.T. AT = 1813.3 miles
