The morning sun revealed great weather for hiking. Mostly blue sky dotted with clouds. A bit warm but that made getting started easy.
Checkbook, named after her preferred payment method, started out when I did. She's pretty fast so I doubt I'll see her again.
First climb up Fulling Mill Mountain had great views.
From there it was down into Mahoosuc Notch described in the AWOL guide as:
Most difficult or fun mile of the AT. Make way through jumbled pit of boulders.
It definitely delivered on the fun. I climbed over and under rocks for more than an hour. There was even a little tunnel where you had to shove your pack through ahead of you.
After finishing the bouldering I headed up Mahoosuc Arm on a, now familiar, steep and rocky climb. Passed Speck Pond and then climbed Old Speck.
A long downhill delivered me to Grafton Notch, a popular trail head it seems. There a minister was doing trail magic! She fed me snacks and took my trash, both top priorities for hikers.
Yet another climb followed to the peaks of Baldpate West and East. They were both a little bald enabling more expansive views.
Today I crossed multiple ladders built for rock faces without much for footholds. Never seen a metal ladder of this style on trail before but climbed down two today.
Another steep descent to Fry Notch Shelter. I considered staying but it wasn't quite late enough to stop. Added a few more miles walking down to Dunn Falls and finding a flat spot for my tent.
Unfortunately the mosquitoes were out in droves (had been all day) so I made camp and dinner with a bug net on.
Overall a very challenging day with a lot scramble and a lot of vertical. Things should start easing up after the next group of mountains (famous last words).