Why We Hike: The Mahoosucs

The Mahoosuc Mountains are hard. They’re intimidating. I was afraid of them. But after crossing the range I have a much better answer to the question “why are you doing this?”

A guidebook description: “Five very long miles South of Speck Pond, you reach Full Goose Campsite.”

My journal entry from the same day:
Thursday 9/19 9:00-4:00 (7h)
Speck Pond – Full Goose
5.1mi… inc. 1.1 of Mahoosuc!
We made it through the hardest mile -“The Notch”- in 2 hours. Pretty great sea of humanity all day. Nobos* are becoming caricatures at this point. Mother-son combo was having a hard time of it…met a nice man who had fallen – felt bad for him. Bittersweet about leaving Maine tomorrow. Hard to believe. Plotting our return to civilization in Gorham – talk of Wal-Mart and Pizza Hut has begun in earnest. VERY hungary(sic) today despite low mileage…Hiker hunger? Very loud at the campsite – Nobos & Teenagers…

*Northbound thru-hikers

But without further ado, why we hike:

Waterfalls