Jun 15 - Pennsylvania

DAY #90
START LOCATION: Peters Mountain Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: PA-443 Campsite
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 22.1
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,171.0
MILES TO GO: 1,008.1
We were able to pull off another early 9AM start today. We cruised the
first 6 miles and stopped for water and an early lunch at a spring
just shy of PA-325. We got a good sampling of what the nasty
mosquitoes can be like. As a result we didn't stay long.
Just before PA-325, I could see Smoke up ahead stopped and rummaging
through a big Tupperware bin... Ahh... Trail magic. It had snack lack
pudding cups, Gatorade in juice boxes and mini boxes of cookies. Smoke
and I packed the cookies out to enjoy at a future break.
We had a strenuous climb out of PA-325 but cruised the rest of the way
to Rausch Gap Shelter. We arrived there at 4:30. It was a bit dumpy,
but it had convenient spring water and was an easy stroll off the AT.
Smoke and I decided that we would push past. Rausch would give us 18
miles on the day, but we were planning to meet Panda at 501 Shelter at
3PM tomorrow, and Rausch left us too far away to pull that off. Being
early and nice weather, pushing on was not a huge undertaking. We did
however eat dinner at Rausch. This was new for me.
We planned on going only another 2.7 to a stream, but we must have
missed it. We ended up at PA-443, which leaves us a nice easy 13 into
501 Shelter tomorrow. Trail magic water helped us decide this camp spot.
It'll be great to see Panda again. She's helping us big time once
again... She's delivering our resupply and tons of home cookin'. She's
also staying the night with us at 501, so that'll be fun.
So far, the rockiness of PA is over-hyped. Sure, rocky in some spots,
but its a cruise otherwise. But, theres more to come. We break 1,000
miles to Katahdin tomorrow... Amazement and excitement.
-natedog