START LOCATION: PA-443 Campsite
FINISH LOCATION: 501 Shelter
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 13.3
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,184.3
MILES TO GO: 994.8
I was up early, but Smoke slept in late. I let him. We were in no
rush. We had a pretty easy 13 miles to 501 Shelter... Named for state
highway PA-501 it's located by. I was eating breakfast around 7:15
when I saw the trail angel, Ensign, come by to refresh the trail magic
he'd left nearby. I thanked him for the water he'd left and he offered
me Mountain Dew and a freeze pop. He had to get to work, so we chatted
quickly... A lifer section hiker that was planning a big VA section in
the fall. That will be really nice.
Smoke and I broke camp just shy of 10AM and slowly warmed up for a
1,000 foot climb about 2 miles in. The climb was ok, but the narrow
corridor of poison ivy we had to negotiate in the flat 3 miles that
followed was miserable. Along with the scary couple miles after
Charlie's Bunion in the Smokies, this was one of the least enjoyable
stretches of trail I've hiked on the AT. Lots of uneven footing and
Urushiol soaked plants all around us. It was threatening rain the
whole time, but it held off. Thank god.
Our lunch break at William Penn Shelter at our 9th mile in couldn't
arrive quick enough. But it did. We ate heavy to lighten up our
feedbags for the resupply Panda would have waiting for us at the 501.
I'd heard that the trail was smooth and wide during the 4 miles from
WPS to the 501. As a result, I decided to kick up the testosterone and
make a competition out of it... With myself. I wanted 4 mph over that
4 miles. The rumors were true... The trail was nice and flat and
smooth. We. Hauled. Ass. We cruised into the 501 at about exactly 1
hour from leaving WPS. 4 mph right on. That got us to the 501 by 2:45.
Panda arrived a few minutes afterward.
It was amazing... She brought us resupply, snacks, soda, chocolate
milk, pasta and sausage and delicious baked delights. The other hikers
at the 501 scored as well. The place filled up. After gorging on food,
I took a two hour nap. This is rare for me out here, but the short
mileage and comfy shelter allowed for it. Apparently I started snoring
became a source of entertainment for the other shelter goers, but that
usually happens when I'm awake too, so no worries.
The shelter caretakers.. Yes, caretakers, brought us mini ben and
jerry's ice creams as a treat. Mimi also shared a couple slices of her
pizza she'd had delivered. It was great... And it totally rounded out
my food needs for the long afternoon and evening.
I'm sheltering for the first time in a couple weeks. Smoke and Panda
are enjoying some QT in the tent she brought from home. Which,
speaking of their home.. Is only about a week away. I'm being told a
big steak dinner is waiting for me in Jersey when we arrive at the
Delaware Water Gap early next week. Muy excited.
-natedog
No comments:
Post a Comment