🐻 x 6 |
This stage got me half way to Maine, past the 1,100 mile mark, and through another state. I skipped an ice cream challenge but for once skipping ice cream was the smart thing to do.
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The War Correspondents memorial. |
I stopped for water at Gathland State Park with its empty grave and a large War Correspondents memorial.
I did a 15.4 mile (24.8 km) to a shelter where I met new people like High Pockets, Scribbles, and Lone Bear.
It was starting to heat up and the humidity was high making the day tough.
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The Washington Monument. |
I passed a nice campsite where I topped off my water before flinging my glasses into the weeds. I'd walked into a spider's web, had a spider hanging from my hat, and I whipped off the hat to throw off the spider. My hat strap must have caught my glasses and flung them off my face. It took me a few minutes to guess the trajectory of the glasses and find them in the weeds along the trail. That is one of the jobs of the early riser. Spiders weave webs across the trail during the night and early risers clear them as they hike.
Past the campsite was a nice restaurant that, sadly, was not open for breakfast. Across from that was a nice chapel and historical plaques describing local civil war battles.
Not far past there was the first monument to George Washington completed. The trail passes right by it. I climbed the squat tower and took in the view and cooling breeze.
The breeze didn't last long and the humidity and heat were back. I did about the same distance as the day before but it felt harder.
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Entering the North and Pennsylvania - the Mason - Dixon line. |
One minor highlight was High Rock with its view and high school graffiti. Another bigger highlight was the Pen-Mar park and the crossing of the Mason - Dixon line. I crossed into the North and left another state behind. I was now in Pennsylvania or, as hikers like to call it, Rocksylvania. The rocks on the trail would be getting worse as I headed North.
At the end of the 18.1 mile (29.1 km) day I ended in Tumbling Run Shelters which have a snoring and non-snoring shelters. The one thing that made this place special was the privy which actually had toilet paper. The lower humidity made this day easier than the prior fifteen mile days.
Day 103 - Another long day with lower humidity.
The first target of the day was the concession stand at the Caledonia State Park pool. Unfortunately it was not open because they couldn't find a company to run it. A nearby restaurant was also closed permanently. A few hikers were depending on those places for food. Fortunately I wasn't but they would have been a nice treat.
I made a brief rest stop at the Quarry Gap Shelter. It was a great place. A couple guys were doing maintenance. There were flowers and benches. The porch swing would have been nice to rest in but I had more miles to do.
I reached the Birch Run Shelter at 19.6 miles (31.5 km) and was a bit tired. I met Executioner here. She discovered a Timber Rattler on the way to the privy. We all started to take alternate routes to the privy.
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Half Way Baby!!! |
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Hey! A view! |
I stayed at the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel and visited the nearby AT Museum. The hostel was part of the underground railroad. There was a lot of history here.
I actually saw some stars here before I went to bed. This had been a relaxing day with trail friends and felt ... nice.
Day 105 - The humidity returned as I left the state park. In the guide book the terrain looks easy but I always struggle on the ascents. I stop so many times while climbing hills. It doesn't matter how little the hills are.
The small highlight of the day was a couple of rock mazes the trail has you crawl through - a sign of things to come in Rocksylvania.
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Climbing through the rock mazes. |
I left the shelter and started over the last small hill. No more than fifteen minutes had passed and I heard thunder. I reached the top of Center Point knob the original mid point of the AT. As I started down the knob the skies opened up and it poured rain.
The trail comes out by a corn field and follows fence lines until you arrive at the backpacker's campsite just outside of town. I called a few B&Bs but they were full and there wasn't a hotel or hostel in this nice little town.
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While I was in Boiling Springs there was always fog on the lake. |
Day 106 - The 5:00am train woke me up. I must of been tired since I got a pretty good night's sleep. I got up, packed up my tent, and headed back in town. I bought some minor resupply at a convenience store before hiking on.
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Am I hiking Pennsylvania or Iowa? |
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Our first Appalachian Trail tunnel. |
Days 107, 108 & 109 - It had rained overnight and it was drizzling when I left the shelter. It started to pour shortly after. I met Mojo and her dog Stella Grace.
I arrived in Duncannon, PA soaking wet. This was becoming a bad habit. I'd entered the last three towns soaking wet. I checked into the Doyle hotel. This place is very interesting. Opened in 1909 it has hardly been upgraded. The food in the restaurant is excellent. It costs $25 a night. It has no air conditioning.
I was already planning a zero day in Duncannon. The forecast pushed me to take another day. They had heat indexes over 100℉ (38℃) forecasted. I hate weather delays. I always wonder if I'm being too cautious. I do know that once again I caught up with people I like and once again I am going to be behind with a new group of strangers.
When I restart on Sunday it will be hot, humid, water will be scar e, and they say the rocks make an appearance in earnest. And still I will hike on.
Pictures can be found in my 2019 Appalachian Trail Google Photos album.
Total Distance: 1,149.0 Miles (1,849.1 km)
Section Distance: 128.4 Miles (206.6 km)
Section Elevation Up: 18,433 ft (5,618 m)
Section Elevation Down: 19,049 ft (5,806 m)
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