April 9-10, 2012

Rocks, Rocks and More Rocks!!!  After our 20+ mile hike on the AT in Pennsylvania, we now know that people are not kidding when they call the state Rocksylvania!  We started Monday morning at Lehigh Gap.  We immediately started the steep climb out of town while battling sustained winds of 30 mph with 40+ mph gusts!  The climb itself is nearly 1000 ft. in just over a half of mile.  Once we reached the top of the climb, we continued on the AT on the Superfund Detour Trail.  The was the only part of our hike that did not have rocks!  We ended the day with a 16.1 mile trek to the Leroy Smith Shelter.  Daddy Long Legs started a fire, we set up camp, and I cooked my first dinner with my Caldera Cone alcohol stove.  The mac and cheese was delicious after such a treacherous but enjoyable day!  As the sun went down, we were able to see Mars, Venus, and Saturn among many, many stars!  I even wrote in my first trail register!  We settled in around 10 pm.  We woke up with sore legs and lots of blisters!  After some breakfast, lots of Vitamin I, and even more Moleskin, we packed up camp and started off.  We continued northbound for 4.5 miles to Wind Gap.  Once we reached town, we got a ride back to the car. Being that this was a prep hike, what did I learn?  Well, aside from learning just how rocky PA is, I learned how challenging, freeing and enjoyable this summer will be.  I now know that I will definitely need to pack M and M's and that's not the candy (Motrin and Moleskin)!  I had a pack weight of about 27 lbs (with food and 4 liters of water) for this trip.  I will end up with more food and some extra clothes this summer, but I am very happy with my pack weight and with the way I've packed and organized my pack.   Prior to this trip, I read Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis (Badger- GA-ME, 2011).  His book is about the psychological preparation of hiking the trail.  He urges hikers to determine the reasons behind their hike BEFORE starting.  While hiking, I thought about this in great detail.  So far my reasons are to give myself the greatest challenge I've ever faced, to remind myself to appreciate the simplicity of life, to live within the beauty of nature for over 2 months, and to have the most unbelievable experience I could imagine with my husband.  This was a great weekend for the mental, emotional, and physical preparation that this summer will require.  Even though we are SORE and definitely have the "hiker hobble," we are still counting down the days... 74!!!!