MD/PA hike, day 9

Sunday, September 27th, 2015
Start: Hertline Campsite
End: Port Clinton
Mileage: 18.5 (+0.2 for missed turn on AT)

I fell asleep relatively quickly last night, considering the noise at the campsite. I was asleep by ~9:15pm and then was up at 6:20am. Many of the Boy Scouts were already milling about, waving their flashlights every which way. I was packed and on trail by 7:15am.

Today's terrain was rocky but relatively flat until the descent into Port Clinton. The rocks added insult to injury for my poor bruised up feet. Today, I went by the Fort Dietrich Snyder Monument (1424'), Eagles Nest Trail (1580'), Eagles Nest Shelter (1593'), Phillips Canyon Spring (1500'). I made good time, descending into Port Clinton (426') by 2:15pm.

Since today was Sunday, there were a lot of day hikers out and about. Unlike yesterday, I didn't see anyone with open carry. I'll be honest and say that, given the odd oppressive flavor of the locals, this worried me a great deal. I think that worry drove me to hike more yesterday than I initially intended. Everyone today was also friendly; many day hikers yesterday were not. It was a nice way to end my hike - shorter day, easier terrain, and friendly day hikers.

When I arrived in town, I checked the bus schedule (and called the bus company) and found out that the local BARTA bus doesn't run on Sundays. I ended up calling for a taxi to take me to the Reading bus station. I'm now on a bus for NYC, where I'll stay overnight with a friend, and then continue back home in the morning. It will be a whirlwind tour of humanity, for sure.

MD/PA hike, day 8

Saturday, September 26th, 2015
Start: camping beyond Yellow Springs Village Site
End: Hertline Campsite
Mileage: 26.8 (+0.6 for water)

Last night, I didn't have cell service. As soon as I finished dinner, wrote up my blog post, and got horizontal, I fell asleep and slept very soundly (for backpacking) until 5:30am. I snoozed until 6:30am. I then was up, packed, and on the trail by 7:20am. I made really good time today. 

Today, I went over Second Mountain (1357'), unnamed overlook (1382'), Fisher Lookout (1286'), Kimmel Lookout  (1335'), Round Head (1500'), and unnamed overlook (1402'). I passed by Rausch Gap Shelter, William Penn Shelter, and 501 Shelter. I got water at both William Penn and 501 Shelters.

I arrived at the 501 shelter by 4pm and left by 4:15pm. I decided to press on, both because I had a lot of day left and because I didn't much care for the people hanging out at the shelter. It's Saturday night on a nice weekend in September; everyone is out camping. I arrived at Hertline Campsite by 6:20pm.

I chatted with some locals and they gave me a canned IPA beer they had found that the previous night's campers had left behind. It was cold and not too horrid for an IPA. After filtering my night's worth of water, I set off to find a camping spot. I wandered the entire campground and didn't find a quiet and flat space. I ended up in a very small, 1-person-tent sized stall, right on the AT, near the water source. There are at least 19 different tents set up, including a large group of boy scouts, as well as a group of late teen/early twenties local boys. There are at least 4 fires going as well.

We shall see how my sleep is tonight. But tomorrow, I only have 18.5 miles into town!

MD/PA hike, day 7

Friday, September 25th, 2015
Start: Duncannon/The Doyle
End: camping beyond Yellow Springs Village Site
Mileage: 25.3 (+0.3 for water)

I started out of Duncannon at 7am sharp. After some road walking, I entered the woods and climbed. I passed over unnamed view (1346'), Table Rock (1347'), Kinter View (1320'), past Horeshoe trail (1650'), and Rattling Run (1533'). I passed by Clarks Ferry Shelter and Peters Mountain Shelter.

Water was hard to find today; I had to ration myself. A number of springs on the map were bone dry. The terrain got more rocky than it has been the entire trip. I couldn't get a rhythm going; every time I almost had one started, the trail would get intensely rocky and interrupt it. The rocks made my feet hurt beyond belief; the ~25 miles took me until 5:45pm. I stopped numerous times to rest my feet in the hope the pain would lessen.

I keep telling myself - it's only one more night and two more days after today. So close and yet so far. Tomorrow I head to the 501 shelter and some takeout dinner.

MD/PA hike, day 6

Thursday, September 24th, 2015
Start: Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse/Boiling Springs
End: Duncannon/The Doyle
Mileage: 25.6 (+0.4 from Allenberry)

This morning, I was up and on the road by 7am. I enjoyed a sticky bun for breakfast before leaving. I was on the trail by 7:15am. The first ~13 miles was flat, predominately walking through farm fields which, while easy, ended up soaking my boots with dew.

Today, I passed by Scott Farm Trail ATC Crew Headquarters, Darlington Shelter, and Cove Mountain Shelter. I climbed up to Darlington Trail (1271'), an unnamed view (1335'), and down Hawk Rock (992'). I had a section of 6 miles that were pretty rocky which made it more challenging to make quick miles.

I arrived in Duncannon at 4:30pm. I made the (perhaps questionable) choice to stay at the Doyle since my feet hurt and I couldn't imagine hiking anymore. One of the owners gave me a ride to the grocery store to resupply. My room is... a room the size of a walk-in closet with a bed. I'm chosing to believe the sheets were washed since they were last used. The one bathroom/shower... has water constantly dripping from the ceiling directly into the shower stall. The owners also make me feel on - edge; because of that, I decided to eat elsewhere in town. Regardless, it's a resupply, shower, bed, electricity, and roof over my head.

MD/PA hike, day 5

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015
Start: Pine Grove Furnace State Park/Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
End: Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse/Boiling Springs
Mileage: 19.2 (+0.4 for Allenberry)

I had a relatively good night sleep at the hostel, though the exit sign glowed very brightly. I was mostly awake by 5am but made myself drowse until 6:20am. I was up and ready to go by 6:30am. One of the caretakers came downstairs at 6:45am to set out breakfast. I ate and hit the trail by 7:15am.

Today's terrain was mostly flat and gentle. There were some sections with rock scrambles but overall, it was easy. Water was readily available. Today, I climbed Pole Steeple (1300') and Center Point Knob (1060'). I passed by James Fry/Tagg Run Shelter and Alex Kennedy Shelter.

I arrived in Boiling Springs at 3:15pm. I visited the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office and then headed to Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, only 0.4 off the AT. Allenberry had space for me and housed me in a nice double room for only $40, hiker rate. I got dinner at their restaurant; they kindly made me a veggie pasta dish, despite having nothing on the menu that was veggie other than a side salad.

MD/PA hike, day 4

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015
Start: Rocky Mountain Shelters
End: Pine Grove Furnace State Park/Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Mileage: 22.8

I was up by 6:30am this morning and on the trail by 7:15am. It rained until around 2am this morning, providing a nice white noise for my sleep. I was alone in the shelter, with two fellows hammocking nearby. It was a peaceful night's rest, all said and done. On the trail in the morning, there was residual rain falling off the trees and bushes for a while. The sun peaked out from behind clouds by mid morning and quickly dried everything out.

Today, I went over several unnamed 2000'+ points on the trail, as well as the official 2015 mid point of the AT. Today's trail was very smooth and had very little in the way of elevation, which allowed me to get to my destination by 3:50pm.

My encouragement for the last few miles was the Pine Grove General Store, which I was told closes at 4pm, rather than 5pm like the guidebook says. On the recommendation of a passing SOBO, I called up the store and asked them to wait for me, in case I arrived past 4pm. The woman was very kind and since the grill closes down at 3:45pm, offered to make me something while I hiked to her. She made me a delicious veggie wrap (with lots of avocado!) and was full of helpful advice. Her kindness made my day. Additionally, a father and his ~10 year old daughter provided me tips on water sources from here to Port Clinton. The hostel here will be open tonight, even though they are set to be closed on Tuesday nights; I called from the shelter last night to check. I'm looking forward to a shower and clean clothes.

MD/PA hike, day 3

Monday, September 21st, 2015
Start: Ensign Cowall Shelter
End: Rocky Mountain Shelters
Mileage: 24.7 (+0.4 for water)

I was up and getting ready at 6:30am; I was packed up and on the trail by 7:15am. I passed by Raven Rock Shelter, Deer Lick Shelters, Antietam Shelter, and Tumbling Run Shelters. I went over Raven Rock Cliff (1297') and Chimney Rocks  (1900'). I also crossed from Maryland into Pennsylvania, crossing the Mason - Dixon Line. I arrived at Rocky Mountain Shelters at 5:15pm.

It's been overcast all day; it began raining off and on around 1pm. Early in the day, I was stung by a wasp on my left shin. Shortly after that, I was bit by a black fly on my left upper arm. They both hurt about equally, though the wasp sting has more staying power.

Tomorrow night, I'll be staying at a hostel; I'll get to shower, do laundry, charge my elrctronics, and eat hot food. For this, I am grateful.

MD/PA hike, day 2

Sunday, September 20, 2015
Start: Ed Garvey Shelter
End: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Mileage: 24.8 (+0.2 for view and 0.2 for water)

I started out on the trail this morning by 7:15am. In the morning, I still didn't feel like walking the 0.8 miles to the shelter's water source. So I snagged some water from my shelter mates and hoofed it to Gathland State Park, the next source of water. Over the course of the day, I passed by 3 shelters and 3 official tentsites. I climbed White Rock Cliff (1606'), Lambs Knoll (1751'), Washington Monument  (1550'), Annapolis Rocks (1820'), and Black Rock Cliffs (1821').

The terrain today was relatively easy, though a bit rocky in places. In my travels, I happened upon no fewer than 2 flush toilets, on trail. There were dozens upon dozens of people day or weekend hiking on the AT. I'm looking forward to less people on the trail as the weekend draws to a close.

I arrived at my destination at 5:30pm. I made the executive decision to set up my tent, rather than risk share a shelter. While putting my food and smellables on the bear pole, I ended up chatting for half an hour with the shelter's only occupant, Chuck, who is section hiking. I'm now happily curled up in my tent, and looking forward to sleeping however I want in the quiet (as quiet as it can be, given a busy road is only 0.2 trail miles away).

MD/PA hike, day #1

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Start: Harpers Ferry Amtrak station
End: Ed Garvey Shelter
Mileage: 6.9 (+~1.0 to ATC from station;+0.2 ATC side trail; +0.1 shelter side trail)

My train arrived late into Harpers Ferry, arriving at 5:35pm rather than 5:20pm, going me 15 minutes less daylight. I quickly hiked my way to the ATC regional office, taking a left to follow the blue-blazed side trail back to the AT. Once I got to the AT, I decided to extend my poles, which had been packed away for travel. I had to fight with them for 10 minutes before they both would extend. Breathing a sigh of relief, I hiked out at pace.

Most of today's miles were flat; many were on the C & O trail. I hiked up Weverton Cliffs and arrived at the shelter at 8pm. As I was hiking in, I saw DOZENS of tents. Apparently, there are many Boy Scout groups camping here, along with locals out for the weekend. I was welcomed by a few local folks who told me water is 0.4 miles from the shelter and down a steep trail, not a particularly good idea in the dark. They kindly gave me a full water bottle full of their water to tied me over for the night. The shelter is relatively empty; it has two levels (ground and loft) and there are two people on each level. I decided to go with loft level, as it's more private and I was hoping no one would be up here.

I made a wicked fast clip for today, (greater than 3 MPH), considering I was in the pitch dark for at least 30 minutes of it. The podcast This American Life was a good choice for night hiking. If the terrain holds, these miles will be gentle, comparatively. Hopefully, I'll get a good sleep and feel energetic in the morning!