Day 95: The beginning of Nobo de la Escalada

• Grafton Turnpike (1773.7) to Smarts Mountain (1779.5)
• 2890 feet rise, 564 feet decrease

In 1975, the historian joined me in Hanover to walk with me a couple of weeks. He and I went from Glencliff to Pinkham Notch while my hiking partner in New England, Rich went from Hanover to Pinkham Notch Solo. In Pinkham Notch, the historian became his car in Glencliff while Rich and I went to Maine.

I remembered the rich thought that Smarts and Cube Mountains were «a bit exaggerated.» I do not remember what words he used exactly, but I do remember the roll of eyes he used. It wasn’t fun. With that sonar in the ear of my mind, I planned the shortest days that could still take us to Katahdin.

Organization of this section

The hikers welcome the shelter in Glencliff was our final point for this segment. They kindly agreed to park the car of our friends in the shelter and transport ourselves to the south to Grafton Turnpike. We would take three days to walk Glencliff.

We wanted to have a vigorous beginning in what we expected to be a hard hiking, so we organized a transport service of 9:00 am the day at 7:30 driving north from the place of our friends to Glencliff. At 9:00 am, we started our transport to the south for the beginning of the 10 am pack rat and his wife together took us. The hour’s trip seemed that he had ended at an instant given the attractive discussions we had together.

Grafton Turnpike to Smarts Mountain

The first 2 miles of the path today joined two parking areas. It was not exciting since it was parallel to an ancient path. We expected to advance rapidly.

Of course, we would do it. No. The path parallel to the road, but bordered a wet field. The vegetation was profuse. While we were moving, I praised that I was going to tie this section if it did not improve soon.

The historian laughed at me. «Yes, of course. You are a yellow blazer.»

I responded timidly: «Just joke. Do you have a machete that could borrow?»

We up

Finally we leave the weeds to the Smarts Mountain parking. We buttoned for the climb.

The Smarts Mountain walk starts 1103 feet of elevation and ends in 3237. It is not long, only 3.8 miles. Transition from forests to the rock quite fast. Before we start, we enjoy a beautiful stream and lunch. We camege since there would be no more water until tomorrow.

Escalation

We have reached the beginning of the climb. For sobos, it is the end of the slabs. For nobos it is like a train that changes to another track. In question everything you thought you knew about the path of the Appalaches.

New techniques are required. The long days are driven both for hours and are for walked miles. It is humiliating to cut its miles by 1/3 and still being exhausted at the end of the day.

Here are three photos, taken on a period of time of about 30 minutes.

Still in the forest

After a few minutes, we went out to monolithic rocks with surrounding trees.

And, now, less than 30 minutes later, we are walking on slabs that have white flames. Trees and earth are for Wimps.

That is our destiny there

I thought I had made our day short enough to be exciting to be the climb instead of overwhelming. We were appreciating the massive slabs.

Then I saw our destination for the night: the Smarts Fire tower. My knees folded and my brain rejected the information provided. We were there. . .Cross to another mountain, and to the top. It is not bad in itself, but the figure on the walk was less than 2 miles, and the image changes. If you expand the photo, in the circle area you can distinguish the tower of fire.

It was 6:15 pm and we had to walk towards the red area with a circle. I didn’t want to I wanted to stop. More, I wanted to be there magically.

Breathing deeply, I lifted one foot and then the other. The only magic that knew would take us there was the sand.

And it was steep

My eyes did not deceive me. Obtaining that distance in 2 miles required something steep. We were at the height. Also, if we move on, we could go to bed before!

This must have been what Rico remembered. There were no stairs or iron refuge assistance at the time.

Today we were happy enough to have help. We did it through this section without a bobble.

Smart mountain cabin

Farout notes on the cabin were not encouraging. We needed a place to rest our heads, so we weld with the hope of the best. We were transporting water at night and tomorrow morning, so it was a true commitment to camp there.

When we arrived at the cabin, we were delighted to discover that I had windows with screens. Anything that gave humans an opportunity with bugs was a golden opportunity.

It was a little heat, but we closed the door, we ate our dinner and happily got into bed. Driving 3 hours and walking 8 hours, even for the miserable 6.7 miles we cover, made for a long day.

The room cooled as the night deepened. We were only at night. We fell asleep dreaming with the great lady of the slabs, Katahdin.

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