The famous Pennsylvania rocks have arrived. Day #5 was bigger miles (15) through mud, burned out forest, and the trail was full of rocks. That made for slow going. It took 12 hours of hiking in the heat to finish. It was type III fun. (Not fun during and not fun in retrospect.). That being said, I did make it.

Sorry there’s no picture. I was too busy cussing out the rocks. 🤬

Tomorrow’s a shorter hike (~10 miles) into town for a day of rest. I’ll be reviewing my trip in town too.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #5 (6/30/18)
Start – 501 Shelter 1194.8
End – Eagles Nest Shelter 1209.9 🦅
Today’s mileage: 15.1 +
Total section miles: 59.9
Total miles on AT: 706.9
Avg daily miles (section 5) – 12.0

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ― C.S. Lewis

Wow, what a difference today! Took an Uber back to the trail (U-Blazing) on the other side of the flood and hiked up to the top of the ridge. Ended up doing 11+ miles, which included a stop for trail magic. Menu included pulled pork, scalloped potatoes, cobbler and lots of soda and Gatorade. I met lots of hikers and got rejuvenated.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #4 (6/29/18)
Start – Swatara Gap (I-81) 1183.4
End – 501 Shelter 1194.8
Today’s mileage: 11.4
Total section miles: 44.8
Total miles on AT: 691.8
Avg daily miles (section 5) – 11.2

Yes: I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. ― Oscar Wilde

Last night I was at the spring in my hammock with the Cuben fiber tarp. A storm came through about midnight and, OMG, I have never seen it rain SO hard. The campsite was a river; thank God I was up off the ground.

To my dismay many of the creek crossings on the trail were flooded out today. I was with a group of thru-hikers, and we got a ride around the first impassable crossing. (Six stinky hikers in a small car was quite a trip!) A road walk went around the second, but the third, under interstate I-81, was without an immediate solution. (Some of the hikers walked through chest deep water, but not me.)

I’m holed up in a hotel tonight and have done laundry and dried everything out. Hopefully the water will be lower tomorrow and I’ll be able to get back on the trail.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #3 (6/28/18)
Start – Spring 1165.7
End – Swatara Gap (I-81) 1183.4
Today’s mileage: 17.7*
Total section miles: 33.4
Total miles on AT: 680.4
Avg daily miles (section 5) – 10.1
*Included some trail, some road walk and some “Yellow Blazing” around floods.

PS – I almost quit today it was so tough. But not yet!

Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it. – George Bernard Shaw

Hardly slept at all last night because the wind was up and my hammock was rocking. That made it hard to hike today, but I took a nap during my break.

Today’s hike was mostly along the ridge, but I’m spending the night down low with no cell signal. Covered almost 12 miles.

Saw several thru hikers today. They’re fast and not too social.

AT Thru-Hike Stats

Section Day #2 (6/27/18)
Start – Stealth Campsite 1153.8
End – Spring 1165.7
Today’s mileage: 11.9
Total section miles: 15.7
Total miles on AT: 662.7
Avg daily miles (section 5) – 7.8

Today is travel day…

And yes, as always, it’s raining ☔️ ; But I have my trusty OR Helium II rain jacket and umbrella too!

Started out downtown (Central West End, St Louis) and took the Metrolink to the airport.

Then SWA to Philadelphia.

But flight got delayed over 30 min due to storms. So wasn’t able to make the early train.

Then the Septa train to downtown Philly.

Amtrak to Harrisburg…

And then Uber to the trail.

I ended up hiking past Clarks Ferry shelter and I am stealth camped on top of the ridge looking over the Susquehanna valley towards Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #1 (6/26/18)
Start – Duncannon, PA 1150.0
End – Stealth Campsite 1153.8
Today’s mileage: 3.8
Total section miles: 3.8
Total miles on AT: 650.8
Avg daily miles (section 5) – 3.8

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. – Henry Ford