I’m currently sleeping at the shelter my group intends to walk to tonight, so I’m in no hurry. I slept in until 7:45, which I think is the latest for me on trail. Minisaurous has decided to hike out today as well. I left the shelter around 9 a.m., and it was already over 90 degrees. The temps today are expected to easily push over 100. I walked slower in an attempt to stay cooler and not sweat, but the battle was lost before it even began.
I never seem to be able to sleep in past 6 a.m., which can be frustrating on a zero day. I’d like to catch up on any lost sleep, but my body always has other plans. For breakfast I took advantage of the kitchen and cooked two loaves of bread worth of French toast and 1.5 pounds of bacon for the group. Mini, being the next one awake, cut up fruit for us as well.
I left the shelter last this morning, causing me to walk alone for the duration. The good news is we have a civilized place to stay at the end of our day! The rain let up as I set off down the trail, which made things more comfortable but left the rocks slippery and mosquitoes hungry. It’s a quick downhill descent into Palmerton, PA. The climb out of town, however, is not so quick. This climb marks the beginning of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site on Blue Mountain. The climb is a steep rocky scramble and is listed as #6 on the top 10 hardest parts of the AT. Below is the view looking northbound on the trail, and yes it’s straight up.
Continue reading Week 11: Days 75-77; Rocksylvania to Bear Country
I slept well for it being a night in the bunkhouse. Craig & Jody served breakfast on the front porch at 7 a.m. It was a spread of French toast casserole, fruit, and sausage and egg bagel sandwiches. Shortly following breakfast, we packed up and got our ride back to the trail. I found my spork sitting on a rock right where I’d left it! I’m thankful to have it back.
Continue reading Week 11: Days 72-74; Rocksylvania to Bear Country
It rained another inch or so last night, which makes it about 3″ this week. We are attempting to push 26 miles from Boiling Springs to Duncannon today. Our first 13 miles were pretty flat and mild roaming through forest and fields. I took my third trail fall in the morning in slow motion after slipping in some mud. I went into the fetal position and rolled into the grass and laid there for awhile. It in no way hurt; it was just a ridiculous affair. Halfway through our day, we passed yet another ATC building but didn’t go inside. We took advantage of the picnic table and the water spigot for a break.
Continue reading Week 10: Days 67-71; Harper’s Ferry to Rocksylvania
My body now runs on trail time, so I’m up and ready around 6 when breakfast first starts. I eat my fill, shower, repack, and wait for the others to get ready. They eat around 8 when I’m hungry again, so I joined for second breakfast. We jump back on trail at the park. We’ve been lucky to dodge most of the rain, but today we are expected to get 1/2-1″ this afternoon. A few hundred feet into our hike we crossed the Mason Dixon Line and entered into the Union.
Continue reading Week 10: Days 64-66; Harper’s Ferry to Rocksylvania
I’m going to keep my day counter in sync with days hiked rather than the actual date. I left my hike on May 17 when Achilles picked me up and returned home on the 18th. I spent the next week icing my legs and resting. My pain subsided, and the bruise finally started to disappear. I tried a smaller hike in Sioux Falls and felt great, so I booked my flight back.
Continue reading Week 9: Days 61-63; Harper’s Ferry to Rocksylvania
