In previous blog post I had covered a trip to Race Brook Falls where I hiked up to Mount Race, lost and found my hat and wasn’t able to rappel down like I had hoped. With hopes that falls would be a little more tame I decided to try a round 2 attempt. Like before I woke around 330am partly due to not being able sleep after getting home from work around 12am. I took care of some things packed my bags and hit the road around 5am. The drive over was about an an hour to the trailhead. It was a very peaceful drive. When I had arrived at the trailhead I was happy to see I was the only one so far but I knew it would get busy. I donned my pack and my boots hit the ground.
I quickly scanned the trailhead register to see how many people had been here since my last trip, it was a decent amount. I worked my way up the beginning of the trail appreciating the sunny clear day that was starting to develop. Memories of past experiences on this trail began to fill my head as continued my trek. I could hear the roar of the first waterfall as I continued hiking. I didn’t stop to take a detour as I would be back to hopefully rappel down it.
When I had gotten to the primary falls that most hikers pass only because its on the main trail on the way to the AT Junction. The upper falls was roaring with water so I was still hopefully that I would be able to rappel on the return trip. I continued my on the trail until I reached the campsite where I would take a quick detour instead of following the trail. I hand railed the river and actually stumbled upon some abandoned gear that had been there for some time, but I cautiously approached before inspecting the gear. I would have to come back another time to pack out the gear. I continued on my way and found an old blue blazed trail that was not on the map. I’m always a fan of exploring old abandoned trails.( There’s a good story about one or two in Maine) I decided to check this path out and I did not disappoint. I found some areas that I can practice ice climbing techniques on the following year as there was still snow and ice in spots along this section of the trail.
After awhile I linked up with the Appalachian trail North bound leading to the summit for Mount Everett. They had put wooden steps in parts of the steep trail to help prevent erosion but most of the blocks were broken/loose. I worked my way up the rest of the trail until I hit semi-above treeline by the summit. I had gorgeous 360 degree views all around. It had been some time since I had last set foot here. I took a nice 15 minute break enjoying the silence before I headed back down.
After a short time there is a foot bridge that you pass to get to the left side of the waterfall which is the side of the main path. I stayed on the right working my way around to the top of the falls. It wasn’t too steep yet. I had to however maneuver across a couple of streams and extremely slippery rocks. It would have been easier to stay on the left side but hey. I found my self at the top of the water fall. I decided to set up a short tether and anchor myself to a tree so I could go in closer and hopefully find a route to go. Upon initial inspection I did not find any decent area to setup a rope and rappel down but still some of that was also due to the amount of water still coming down the falls. At this point I was hoping to have luck at the second falls.
Once again I worked my way towards the lower falls by doing a little bushwhacking. Now I cannot even make this but 2 winters ago I lost a glove while bushwhacking here( If you see my gear setups now I always have bright para cord attached). I pass a tree and look down on the ground. There was my bloody(not blood… just a phrase) glove chewed to pieces. In a state of astonishment I picked it up and decided to pack it out. I got closer to the main falls while trying not to fall in the brook or on the wet leaves.
I got a safe distance to the edge while anchoring my self to a nearby tree to get a better look at the drop. It was a lot different than in the winter when it was completely frozen. I scouted out the approach while getting soaked with water from the brook 5 feet from me. I must have stood there for about 5 minutes looking at the sketchy drop before I decided to step up an anchor and go for it. After setting up the anchor and donning my shells so I didn’t get drenched by water I coiled up the rope and threw it down. So still being relatively new with this being my 10th time on a rope, 5th time rappelling and 5th time making a top rope anchor I was still a little nervous. I triple checked my knots and gear and threw the rope down. This is where it gets a bit funny, my first throw was terrible and ended up directly in the falls which isn’t what I wanted. After 2 throws I decided to work my way down the left side and end up in the falls at the end.
After testing everything I linked in to the belay device and was on my way. I was not prepared for how slippery it was going to be. I swung around a couple of times, uncontrollably but semi controlled. If things got really bad I could work my way to the right side. I slowly worked my way down while stopping to take pictures and videos. The rest of the rappel went smoothly and I didn’t fall or get stuck/ injured so it was a good time. It was a nerve wracking due to how slippery it was. Next time I’ll bring better shoes. Once I got down I removed myself from the line and hiked back up to break down my line and haul my rope back up. I cannot wait to go back again.
Thanks for reading. Stay safe during these crazy times.
