Day: |
054 |
Date: |
Wednesday, 25 June 1986 |
Start: |
|
Finish: |
|
Daily
AT Miles: |
24.2 |
Daily Other Miles |
0.3 |
Total
AT Miles: |
1049.0 |
Total All Miles |
1082.7 |
Weather: |
Mild, sunny – perfect. |
Accommodation: |
|
Nutrition: |
Breakfast: Muesli, health drink. Lunch:
Biscuits and peanut butter, two health bars. Dinner: Noodles and
chicken, instant pudding, chips, Pepsi. |
Aches: |
Tired feet. |
Animals Seen: |
Squirrels, rabbits. |
People Seen: |
6 overnight hikers, 4 day hikers, many
others. |
Pictures: |
Here |
GPS Track: |
|
Journal: |
Got up at 6am after a good night’s sleep
and left at 7:20am, bidding farewell to my colleagues. It was cool
and looked to be set for a nice day for hiking. The first 5 miles
incorporated a lot of clambering over rocks and progress was
slow. During my first break I was caught by KC and one of the
CC. Both were headed for the Raccoon Run Shelters at 20 miles
whilst I was aiming for Quarry Gap at 24 miles. It showed again
that my hiking speed wasn’t faster than the others it was just that
I could comfortably go on longer. I reached the Mason-Dixon Line
(Pennsylvania border) at the same time and got KC (a nice guy – they
all were) to take my picture. The first few miles in Pennsylvania
were a composite of many old trails and was difficult to follow and
badly marked. I had to stop three times to get the guidebook out –
can’t remember the last time I had to refer to one. After those
first few miles, it settled down and passed through pretty woodlands
with no tough grades though occasional rocky sections. On the whole
it was pleasant hiking. I saw KC twice more. At a break, two
scouts (~13 years old) came the other way and couldn’t understand a
word I said. I decided to try and get to Caledonia State Park
before 5pm so that I could visit the snack bar reported to be
there. This required a few longer sections and a 30 minute
lunch. En route, I passed Raccoon Run Shelters and found KC and CC
(one of) in residence. They had walked the roads! My guess is that
70% of AT Thru-hikers take short-cuts and walk roads fairly
frequently (with 5% hitching bits). Each to his own. I got to the
State Park at 4:45pm. It’s strange going into these Parks where
people are picnicking and playing (and camping, etc.) as Barb and I
had been doing three months ago. You feel like a visitor from outer
space. I had a salad roll, two ice-creams and two Pepsis and some
chips to accompany dinner. It was very pleasant sitting in the sun
eating these with only 2½ miles to go to the Shelter. I even saw a
jogger when entering the Park. I left the picnic area at 5:30pm
and, after a short sharp climb and an easy walk (with a stop to
collect water ¼ mile before the Shelter), I reached it at
6:20pm. I’m getting efficient at setting up, washing and cooking
and, by 7:35pm, I had eaten main course. There were no other
occupants, it was a nice spot, a nice evening, and a picnic table –
perfect end to a good day. |
|
ADVENTURE LIST
Round Ireland
(2016)
Hume & Hovell Walking Track
(2013)
Via Alpina
(2012)
Australian Alps Walking
Track (2011)
Land's End to John O'Groats
(2010)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2009)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2008)
Round Oz Bike Record Attempt
(2007)
Australia Tip to Top MTB
(2006)
Adelaide to Darwin MTB
(2005)
Sydney to Melbourne MTB
(2004)
Three Peaks Race
(2004)
Appalachian Trail
(1986)
Alpine Track
(1983)
|