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.