11 Hours to Hike 9 Miles | Mahoosuc Notch: The Hardest, Slowest Mile of the Appalachian Trail

The Mahoosuc Notch is Maine is known to be the hardest, slowest (and sometimes most fun) mile of the whole Appalachian Trail!
Follow along as I hike all 2,198 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine starting March 9, 2023. This is my second thru-hike attempt and I am excited to document and share my journey with you as I post daily vlogs from the trail!
⬇️ GEAR FOR THE THRU-HIKE ⬇️
BIG THREE + extras
Backpack -
Fanny Pack - bit.ly/3w2i16c
Water Bottle Pocket - bit.ly/3fnRcF2
Phone Pocket -
Tent - bit.ly/3MWwnhP
Tent Stakes - bit.ly/41qLJjQ
Sleeping Bag - bit.ly/3Sz52Dm
Sleeping Pad - bit.ly/43ROQm7
Pillow - bit.ly/3Df44Fr
CLOTHING
Rain Jacket - bit.ly/3Cr4oB3
Rain Pants - bit.ly/3L2VSd7
Sun Hoodie - bit.ly/43gX6f0
Hoodie -
Puffy Jacket - bit.ly/3U0q1hz
Hiking Shorts - bit.ly/3KKUHTj
Hiking Pants - amzn.to/3EBUk9K
Socks -
Sock Liners - bit.ly/3dy1eCx
Trail Runners - bit.ly/3il0jI2
Gaiters - bit.ly/3WQl7WF
Sleep Shirt - bit.ly/3Z4UH4O
Sleep Pants - bit.ly/3m80xDZ
Down Booties - bit.ly/36jXMF3
Camp Socks - amzn.to/3SwPK22
Rain Mitts - bit.ly/3XYy5CJ
Gloves - bit.ly/3gk0dPK
Sunglasses - bit.ly/3Lohq7z
FOOD & WATER
Water Bottle w/ Straw - amzn.to/3Qxw6SR
Food Bag - bit.ly/3wbmWPS
Stove - bit.ly/3cSZUJw
Mini Bic Lighter - amzn.to/3Y4RbGh
Kitchen Rag - amzn.to/3w9CIuv
Rock Sack - bit.ly/2Z0EakX
Water Filter - bit.ly/3cTh7T7
ELECTRONICS & MISCELLANEOUS
Garmin inReach - bit.ly/3P2Cdxz
Headphones - bit.ly/3UnvXTM
Bluetooth Thermometer - amzn.to/41ocghS
Tripod - amzn.to/3lXzBGH
Trekking Poles -
Dry Bag - bit.ly/3wbmWPS
Knife - amzn.to/364TKQb
Battery Pack - amzn.to/3IBWzuE
Charging Block - amzn.to/3Z5TiuP
Watch - bit.ly/3CLj3r7
Compression Sack - amzn.to/3ZmwbM3
Headlamp - amzn.to/41sVn5u
Phone/ camera - amzn.to/3p43PcJ
TIKTOK: / nahamsha.hiker
INSTA: nahamsha.hiker
WATCH NEXT:
2023 Appalachian Trail Daily Vlog Playlist - • 2023 Appalachian Trail...
My 2021 AT thru-hike daily vlogs - • 2021 Appalachian Trail
2021 Appalachian Trail Documentary - • Thru Hiking Entire App...
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting my channel!
#appalachiantrail #thruhike #nahamsha

[@frolege1]

We deeply value your dedication in venturing through the caves twice-first to position the camera ahead, and then retracing your steps-to offer us a genuine glimpse into the toughness of the journey.

[@leedanielson7452]

Yes! Well said George!!!Taylor works her butt off to to give us such high quality videos day in and day out it really is amazing!

[@frolege1]

@@leedanielson7452 She's my #1 HIKER to follow this year ..Stella a close #2

[@leedanielson7452]

George I’m the same! I guess we both have good taste!!! Both of the young ladies are amazing!😊👍

[@justkeephiking6525]

I got anxiety watching this.! I'm slightly claustrophobic. 😊. Great video as always!!

[@robinfinehout1160]

She does a fantastic job videoing. This one was particularly good with her camera placement and editing. Loved the rain at the end.

[@wendygrw]

Video of bouldering and caving in the notch was amazing. Thanks for taking the extra time to set up some of those shots of you moving through the caves. And you made it in less than two hours! Congrats on making it though a tough set of climbs.

[@KathyColorado1]

This video was really an amazing gift! Hiking places twice just so viewers can really see the effort it takes. Thank you! Super Thanks for that effort!

[@brookecampilongo3962]

Wow! The video you got for the caves was amazing knowing how you had to film it. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@ALORDW]

So glad the day was a little sunny for you. Big T, OG and the boys went through in rain and it looked absolutely miserable. You may not prefer the short hard miles but you make it look way easier than I know it is. Like George said we all notice those extra miles twice for the camera and appreciate you for it.

[@Feribrat99]

After all the rain that has been happening in Maine, the tannin from the trees is gonna stain the water really dark no matter how clean a stream may be.

[@Thunder49071]

Awesome vlogging today. You really gave us “your fans” a good picture of going thru around under over rocks. A tough section. Great job!

[@rrittenhouse]

I'll never be able to hike the AT myself but I highly respect those who can or do. Keep it up, you've got this! I haven't looked forward to a daily upload in so long 🤣

[@leedanielson7452]

Kid I know you don’t think so but you are a beast!!!😊👍🙏🏻⛺️🏔️🐻🦨🦥🐿️🦦 The effort you put in to filming this video was amazing!!!!

[@robinfinehout1160]

Lee. I guess you got your question answered about Leffe last night at the end

[@leedanielson7452]

@@robinfinehout1160 I’m not exactly sure what you are referring to because she ignored all questions but I think there is more to the story..😝🥰🥰

[@robinfinehout1160]

@@leedanielson7452 she said he was in Colorado with her right now. I figured he must be bc of his Insta.

[@lorik7591]

Wow! Sharing the hike with us by hiking certain spots twice was epic! This might be my favorite video of the trail so far this thru hike. Thanks for all the effort you put in to it!!

[@indtexcol]

That looks like it would be a lot of fun without a backpack.

[@Bananahiker]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video😊 I so appreciate you doing the sections of the notch twice (once to set up your phone, twice to record your hike). You are a rock star! 💯 Hubby & I love hiking "with" you❤

[@jennygoss-ps6oi]

Great video! Thanks for showing us the cave crawls. It looks a little claustrophobic so I certainly appreciate all the effort to give us this footage.

[@debsmith7050]

Kudos! You seem superhuman but I can only imagine how difficult your hike really is... The video you gave us is unbelievable; thank you ❤ Hope you have new shoes by now. Stay safe

[@frolege1]

7:42 Best line of video 'I'm using muscles I haven't used in a very long time"

[@leedanielson7452]

George I thought the best part was at around the 13 minute mark when she said “dam it” 🤣

[@frolege1]

@@leedanielson7452 yes, we used a bad word (lol)

[@leedanielson7452]

🤣👍

[@deborahchadwick210]

I fear I would have used several bad words!! Taylor amazes me with her hiking and videoing skills..." This is a full body workout!"

[@deborahchadwick210]

Is the water yellow from tannic acid from the bog areas?

[@blueridernot]

I agree I was just thinking about your great camera craft, it's like doing the hard part of the AT twice

[@LionessHiker]

Thank you for the great filming of your journey through the notch! That is a tough climb and most people video a limited amount due to the tough workout. So we really appreciate and applaud your efforts.

[@colleen2503]

You are amazing. For me, this would be classified as the world’s worst vacation. 😁🤣🤣

[@sharrison3974]

Amazing work filming that section of the trail - thank you so much - really enjoying watching your vlogs every day 🙂

[@chriswhittington294]

Wow Taylor! Great job filming your day. You should win a "Best Videographer of the AT" award for this one. Stay safe, you are in the home stretch!

[@susanboatman7913]

Congratulations on doing the notch and arm.

[@sulj3373]

Thank you for the extra effort filming. That’s dedication. It maybe me claustrophobic! Take care of your eye.❤

[@david.conley]

Thank you Taylor for the time and energy you are putting I to your videos. I appreciated that knowing you are tired and drained and ready to be done. ONWARD!!!!

[@royconnell2506]

You did awesome today . 👍👍👍 That mile always amazes me 👍👍👍. Get those 🦶🏻🦶🏻feet dry , you rock young lady 😎😎😎

[@martinawismer8235]

Holy hen, Taylor, what a day!! And what an awesome video! Thank you for sharing this difficult day. I admire your strength. 🌞

[@user-xh1kz7rm4j]

Your videos were part of what got me through the pandemic. I also bought some gear and have done a couple of overnights based upon your (and a couple of other KZbinrs) videos. Thank you - really fun and nicely done.

[@tranquility9325]

Absolutely gorgeous but treacherous at the same time. Wow.

[@chrishaley877]

Thanks for taking the time to film all those shots of you climbing through Mahoosuc Notch. Requires a lot of extra effort and patience.

[@ritamae2474]

I’ve been watching your whole hike and I really appreciate that you show the trail and how hard it can be! Your amazing! Thank you for bringing us along!

[@maureenmukhlis2934]

Taylor!! YOU ROCK🙌🙌🙌 THAT WAS THE BEST VIDEO OF THAT NOTCH!!! I can’t even begin to imagine how hard you worked for it!!! If I were a millionaire instead of a poor RN I would pay you some incredible money to guide me on that trail!!! I would have the time of my life💕🥰💕🥰 You really are COOL🫶🫶🫶

[@jgbarre]

I very much remember climbing up through Mahoosuc notch…45 years ago! Awesome!

[@ffstopP]

Spectacular video. Expertly edited to tell a story. You're hiking smart & steady. Thanks for taking us along. Walk on.

[@stevematosky1086]

The Notch is amazing! Thank you for the “extra work” to show us the footage!

[@RickINFJ]

💪 Great job on the Notch! You made excellent time. The Arm is a rugged ascent, I woulda layed down at the top too. 🙂 Speck Pond shelter is awesome. Solid day Taylor! Rest well ✌️

[@DanJackson-nl5om]

Shock and awe!😮 thank you so much!

[@dannythecamper4186]

One bad rocky up and down climbs 😮, good video with some good views, so let's keep on hiking 😊

[@carolleslie9312]

Great Video!! Especially the caves. Twelve hours… amazing endurance Taylor.

[@josephyourk3584]

Taylor, doing great...keep it up!!!

[@cynthiaamoruso8968]

That was quite a section of trail. Great job powering through. Loving every step of your hike. Keep on truckin'.

[@beck57]

Amazing videography once again!!!! You do it all so well! Thank you and congratulations on a day well done!!! ❤

[@debbymost8548]

Hello Taylor! I'm enjoying your AT hike journey videos. I live near the trail in Blanchard and often see thru hikers during the summer. Many cut off the trail at the Shirley Rd. and hike the road 7 mi. into Monson. It's been so rainy and wet, you are doing well to keep your spirits up. Take care, I'll be traveling along with you for the rest of the Maine trail to Katahdin!

[@rockannand]

Oh Jesus!! Be careful and come home safely!!!!

[@melonydodson8725]

Thank you for taking the time and energy to video the notch! I know that required a lot more time and energy of you! It is absolutely fascinating and helpful (as an AT section hiker) to see these sections! This is definitely the best footage of the notch that I've seen. You're doing amazing!

[@noniemcd]

I can’t believe you did that. Wow!

[@leeleach6005]

Taylor, Great Thanks. Two comments, I remember when I went thru the notch after huge rains, that I could hear the noisy water rushing under the rocks all the way, and the trail actually descends more than 300 feet elevation through the notch but with all the rock climbing a hiker doesn't notice it. I thought the Mahoosuc Arm more difficult.

[@familywithmelody]

Wow, that looks like an intense and challenging hike! The Mahoosuc Notch section of the Appalachian Trail is no joke. Impressive job completing 9 miles in 11 hours. The rugged terrain must have made it quite the adventure! 💪🏔

[@denisewells6856]

Taylor, You are a ROCKSTAR! You make me proud to be a "girl".

[@TryingTheHardHikeATAdrieWashne]

What an awesome section. Can’t help but remember my day there last year! It was fun and slippery! I had two hiking buddies with me to help.

[@rvrswmr1953]

Oh man, after that trek I would have been in that pond chilling out...regardless of all the leeches I would probably be covered with! I have been following your hike since early days and have especially enjoyed NH & now Maine. NH is my adopted home state and I sure miss it. Take care Taylor, you are remarkable!

[@denisedoering2265]

Love your videos. That was a long day. Happy hiking...sweet dreams.

[@michaelmisiaszek2514]

I double filtered the tea colored water in parts of southern Maine and noticed better clarity but the taste was always fine either way. Good luck and Keep Hiking!

[@llw8089]

You are tenacious and tough! Your cave climb was amazing , especially since you did it twice ! Hike on Taylor!

[@db.mc2]

Hi Taylor 👋 definitely a rough day, hope you're doing ok, stay safe and take care my friend 🙏 Appreciate you 🙂

[@theresalibby3787]

Wow that was some tough terrain! You are amazing!

[@davecunningham579]

This looks like such a fun section!

[@johnsandell4501]

Definitely a unique hiking day. Chet powered ya via cell. Continued successes!!!👍👍👍

[@leabuttrick9055]

Been following both of your AT hikes and REALLY appreciate all the extra time and effort you put in each day to give us a better perspective and understanding of the difficulty of this trail. Thank you. You are the BEST😗

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

You're doing fantastic Taylor and it hasnt been easy with the weather and the eye infection. But you're amazing and so appreciate all the videos. Thank you 😊

[@denisebrown2940]

Amazing. It is a wonderful yet challenging part of the trail. Thank you for all you put into the videos.

[@lyndajefferson5929]

At least you got to hike with no rain through all those caves. And got into your tent before the rain hit. Such beautiful views and crazy boulders

[@PamHallthetravelingnurse]

What a hard day or so it looks like. You are so brave! I hike around TN and am alone a lot but I still have fear of bears etc in the woods. You seem to have no fear! Enjoyed the sites you showed us. Get some shoes soon!

[@jenniferjohnson995]

What an incredible trail! You are doing amazing! For your trekking poles, you may be able to fix them. If you look at the flick lock mechanism, there should be a little screw there that you can tighten. Don’t over tighten it, or the lock won’t close. But a little bit should help keep those sections together.

[@diurnalreign]

Wow Taylor, this was impressive. What a climb!

[@operageek]

Wow , thank you so much for the unique perspective as you navigate inside the caves and over the rocks . Amazing skills !

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Grim. Reminds me of parts of the LT. Good luck!

[@johnp8625]

Really enjoy following you on your adventure. I live in Milan NH, close to Maine and the Mahoosac Mountain range, Goose Eye and Old speck are alway a nice view when driving in that area. Almost there.👍

[@joemalecki6780]

I'm used to the deep woods, but I've never seen a trail like that ! It would have to be very well marked for me to even know I was on the trail. That must have been a brutally hard day !

[@brendanatale7504]

Praying 🙏 for your safety 🙏 ❤

[@banjolady]

You are so awesome. When you say 4 mi and 4 hours that's sort of my normal pace but probably where you are it would take me 10 hours to do 4 mi if even I could do it so I'm very inspired by you...

[@lisapellitier2450]

Thankyou for sharing your video

[@nancyolesin9389]

Whoa, is that cave the only way through the trail? Kind of scary!

[@Elizabeth490]

I appreciate the effort you went through to get these shots. Well done!

[@davidthacker3213]

Great job. I love your videos keep up the great work. Can’t wait to see you at the finish line Take care

[@Barbara-pz8ky]

What-a-challenge..thanks Taylor for sharing…

[@AppalachianAdventures8556]

I've seen many AT videos and not very many have shown the caves. Thanks for showing the caves and the effort it takes. You are not that far from the summit and the end of this thru hike. Savor each day left on the AT. Best of luck : )

[@johnbarns548]

Amazing day. Thank you for taking time to share the challenging aspects of the notch. Have to be there and do it to believe it. That mile always made me very tense. And the arm is hard to relate to anyone who has never been there. Southern Maine too beautiful for words

[@alilritaleaneocortexz6409]

Love mahoosuc

[@wrldtrvlr72a1]

Thanks!

[@TaylortheNahamshaHiker]

Thank you!!

[@leaderspeakusa]

The notch was my favorite part of the whole trail! Spanky, SOBO 2002, 2012, 2013

[@misscandy84]

I saw my first black bear on sunday veey exciting

[@Julie-ii9px]

As well as all the effort filming the cave walk thrus the mud walk throughs I love seeing the wildlife. Amazing to see the woodpecker. (I'm on the other side of the world) Great stuff Taylor.

[@debbymarks9490]

Wow..that journey was incredible 😊

[@JBERRY603]

Nice job!

[@tacklebill4835]

Took me 3 and a half You are a awesome hiker!

[@anthonysmith7280]

Really nice job of filming this section. You have to place your camera, walk thru and then go back and retrieve your gear ........ the notch is super slow as it is ...... but your commitment and desire to film it makes it evern slower. Well done. When I went through there, I got off trail and ended up high up in some pine trees which chewed up my legs........ I luckily saw some younger (and smarter folks) that were on trail which allowed me to get back on track. Really great job, stay healthy and continue to cursh this hike. You're doing great!!

[@robinfinehout1160]

Thanks so much Taylor! Excellent video

[@Lovesracing19]

Safe travels.

[@meghanjones185]

Wow! That was intense. I was holding my breath a lot! I would LOVE to hike through those gnarly boulder fields but I'm too chubby, dang it. You navigated them with your usual aplomb, though. Bravo! 🥾🪨🥾🪨🥾🪨🥾🪨🥾🪨🤎

[@patrickhanly7458]

Nice birds in this vid. Nashville Warbler calling at the beginning of the vid and the woodpecker looked like a Black-backed, which is a specialty of the northern forest. You are at the very southern part of it's range.

[@user-David-Alan]

Awesome video considering what you were climbing through. Stay well and be safe.

[@deborahchadwick210]

Good Morning, Taylor. What a filming fete!! Thank you .

[@MrsJoyism]

I'm mad impressed at how much of the notch you managed to film.

[@pattypatten1626]

Excellent footage!!

[@richardouellette8785]

At least you seem to be enjoying yourself.

[@fitnessfreak498]

great adventure and footge your im sure the only thru hiker to do a full marathon

[@judithcoe7551]

Good morning!🎉

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

I can't imagine climbing rocks walls when it is wet. The water crossings are high. I hope it isn't to dangerous 🌻👣

[@jeffrothwell5899]

great video, keep on keeping on!

[@brendanatale7504]

Youth is amazing 👏.........I hope your shoes hold up ....

[@chrissaunders8284]

This was an amazing video. The other vloggers got some good footage but nobody set up a camera and went through twice. You are bold, courageous, and a bit crazy, especially for doing that slippery part twice. You felt shame for your time but you have to know that was still good time for that notorious section. Thank you for sharing. I hope you had a Happy 4th wherever you were. Edit: the thumbnail is hysterical. Kylehateshiking would be proud.