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Day 90 Little Gap Rd to PA 33 (15.4 miles) 1278.1 miles total

Didn’t get hiking until about 10 as waited for restaurant where I tented to open for breakfast. Eggs Benedict. What a treat!

Early on I stubbed my toe. Lots of hopping, ows and other verbal expressions! Didn’t bother much after a bit.

About 2:30 I passed a young lady (Tattoo) who I had met at yesterday’s trail magic. We had the normal hiker conversation. What did you think about yesterday’s climb? How far are you planning to go today? She asked where I stayed last night. Had to think about that for a second. During that second of non-focus on trail and rocks, I crashed!

Next thing I knew, I was face down kissing a rock. It was a pretty bad fall on the rocks. As I laid on ground trying to assess and regroup, I saw drops of blood. Figured I had smashed my face on rock.

After a minute or 2 I was able to get up. Tattoo, who was extremely concerned, told me my head and face were blood-free. Not so for my left elbow and forearm. Bloody mess.

I assumed nothing was broken as I could move my arm and make a fist. Wind Gap, PA and a hotel where 4.5 miles ahead. No choice but to hike on.

Adrenaline is a powerful thing. My mind was very clear and focused and my legs were strong…for the first couple miles. Then the adrenaline started wearing off.

I got a bit ahead of Tattoo and ran into her hiking partner who was waiting for her. As I couldn’t really see my elbow and forearm that well, I showed him just to confirm no bones sticking out or anything. I had not done that with Tattoo as I had traumatized her enough.

He said just looked like a lot of scrapes and cuts. Offered me some water to rinse off.

Made it down to road to town about 4:30. Thought I could hitch a ride to hotel but apparently people are apprehensive about picking up a homeless looking guy with blood all over his arm and hand. Luckily Uber was available here.

When I got to hotel, I was able to look at arm in mirror. Gnarly! I then also noticed knee and shin were pretty scraped up as well. As for the toe I’d stubbed earlier, pretty sure that’s broken as was black from below nail to joint.

I am extremely sore and have decided to take tomorrow and possibly Friday off. Fortunately I have good friends who are willing to drive the extra miles to pick me up in Wind Gap and bring me back out when I resume.

I’ll make Thirsty Thursday. Just not as I planned!

Sure I’ll be OK and able to hike on after some recovery time.  

Going too fast or too far didn’t contribute to mishap. Learned the hard way that you have to stay completely focused at all times.

Happy trails!

Day 89 JP Tentsite to Little Gap Rd (20.5 miles) 1262.7 miles total

It was a roller coaster of a day for this hiker. Bad, good, sucky, good!

I’ve been leaving the rain fly off my tent when no rain is forecast knowing that if it did rain it wouldn’t be good. I got burned last night.

In the forest you can hear rain coming shortly before it gets to you sometimes. Well, I heard it about midnight. By the time I could get to the rain fly it was raining pretty good…and pitch dark. Since I couldn’t see much I just kind of threw it over tent. Got a bit wet inside. Luckily didn’t rain for long.

After about 7 miles ran into awesome trail magic courtesy of 2 brothers (Mtn Goat and ?) who thru-hiked last year and their wives. Sandwiches, sodas, junk food, watermelon, and homemade cookies. They even had corn hole game set up.

Not sure what town that is down there but I thought cloud reflection was cool.

Below is Outerbridge Shelter. Old school log building.

Crossed the Lehigh River about 3PM. Thinking should be able to make about 5 more miles in a couple of hours. Not!

That is Lehigh River below. Climb up out of there was one of toughest yet. Climbed 1000 ft in slightly less than a mile. That’s twice as steep as what I consider steep. Not only that but it was serious rock climbing (with a 35 lb pack on your back). Finding finger holds and foot placements. Throwing my walking stick up ahead of me.

When I was fairly near the top I saw a young day hiker sitting at top enjoying the view. Yelled up to him asking if he had cell service. He did so I told him to be ready to dial 911 if I fell. Fortunately I made it!

Now only 4 miles to go. Can’t get worse than that. Wrong!

It soon started thundering, then raining pretty hard, then pea-sized hail. Kept repeating “Embrace the Suck” to myself and thought of all the times I told our daughters to “Suck it up!”

That lasted for about a half hour. Now 2.5 miles to go. What other sucky thing can happen? Luckily nothing did. In fact, things got good.

Walked next too a huge berry patch along trail. Lasted almost a half mile. I grazed on raspberries the length of it. They were pre-washed from rain!

Made it to Little Gap Rd shortly after 5:30. I knew from guide book that there was a restaurant that lets hikers camp on their grounds 0.8 miles away. Planned to hitch but saw 2 guys getting into their car in parking lot. Asked them if there was a restaurant down the road…knowing full well there was. They said yes and asked if I’d like a ride. Jackpot!

33 more miles to NJ!

Happy trails!

Day 88 Windsor Furnace Shelter to JP Tentsite (18.7 miles) 1242.2 miles total

Another nice weather day and pretty good mileage. Made about 60 miles last 3 days. Shooting for NJ in 3 more days (54 miles).

Rocks are still beating my feet up and starting to tear up shoes too. May have to get another pair in NJ.

Got some nice views today. Makes a tough climb worth it when there’s a view at end.

Selfie practice. Starting to get the hang of it!

This is Eckville Shelter. Pretty cool place. Spent about an hour having lunch and hanging out there. Building in back is shelter (bunks and one of the few that is totally enclosed). Caretaker house is on left. Has a phone charging station, bathroom with running water, solar shower, and tenting area also.

Tenting tonight about 9 miles past there in the middle of nowhere. That’s why I named the tentsite after myself!

Weather for next 3 days sounds good so unless something unforeseen happens I should make Thirsty Thursday at Mason Street Pub.

When we lived in Lake Hopatcong we were 4 houses down from Mason Street. I’ve been there a couple of times. Kris would say daily but I’m pretty sure I missed a couple days during 5 years we lived there! Excited to see lots of good friends.

Happy trails!

 

 

Day 87 Black Swatara Creek Campsite to Windsor Furnace Shelter (19.2 miles) 1223.5 miles total

Walking 9 to 5. What a way to spend your summer.

Today was actually more like 8 to 6 but I did take a 2 hr break in Hamburg, PA. Took a shuttle into town with another hiker. He had to do some shopping. I went to Taco Johns. Ate, read the Reading Eagle newspaper, then shuttled back out.

The beard is getting real. Another 10 weeks and I’ll be ready to audition for ZZ Top!

Imagine being in my brain for this one… The trail pops out of the woods and rocks onto a nice, smooth path (see below). I’m excited because I can really fly for what looks like quite a while. Unfortunately, after about 20 yards, I had to take the left turn back into trees (and rocks). Took this pic to say that PA isn’t all rocks. It was before I realized I was being conned. Whoever designed that little part of the trail is mean. What a buzz kill!

Hoping for another 18 – 20 miles today.

Happy trails!