May 22, 2024 : Marty Smith Appalachian Trail

AT Days 17-21

AT Days 17-23 Port Clinton, PA to Delaware Water Gap, PA

Day 17 – Port Clinton to Eckville Shelter (15.1 miles)

Day 18 – Eckville Shelter to Lookout Hostel (11.6 miles)

Day 19 – Lookout Hostel to Outerbridge Shelter (13.3 miles)

Day 20 – Lookout Hostel to Outerbridge Shelter (13.3 miles)

Day 21 – Outerbridge Shelter to Leroy Smith Shelter (15.7 miles)

Day 22 – Leroy Smith Selter to Kirkridge Shelter (15.5 miles)

Day 23 – Kirkridge Shelter to Delaware Water Gap (14.6 miles)

Harper’s Ferry Start – Marker 1026.0

Day 17

Started as a sunny day, but quickly turned cloudy. Tough climb out of Port Clinton but my toe was better, so I felt good. And then the rocks. Pulpit Rock was a nice view, but the trail through the rocks was so poorly marked that I walked through the Observatory grounds to get to the view.

Then more awful rocks to get the the Pinnacle Viewpoint.

After that, it was pretty nice to get to Eckville Shelter. The shelter is in a shed in the back, but it had a spigot, a flush toilet, and a closeable door – high living!

Almost there I got a bit of trail magic from Big Van Mike.

I met up again with Rocket who has been staying in the same Shelter since Shelter 501.

Day 18

I decided to take advantage of The Lookout Hostel where I could shower and wash clothes tonight. Think I needed it? Haha!

The 1st half of the day was the dreaded rocks, while the 2nd half was mostly very good. Still, I only averaged a very poor 1.7 mph overall.

This is a drop of about 30 ft to do with a full pack

The rocks are treacherous when dry, but they are wet.

Still I made it in by mid afternoon and showered and washed everything. I went with a group to the Thunderhead Lodge. Good food at good price. I had a big chicken cob salad and a separate shared order of meatloaf that I ate an hour later. And I’m still losing weight. About 10 lbs.

Ah, life is good with everything clean

Day 19

As it was raining all day, I didn’t want to ruin the cleaning I had just done, and the rocks are incredibly tiring, so opted to hold off for another day. Walking in the rain isn’t that bad, but wet shoes are no fun – especially with 4 – 5 Days of good weather forecast for the push to Delaware Water Gap.

A through-hiker’s dog had gone missing for 2 days but was found by a local couple next to the highway where the trail crosses the road. The dog had apparently followed the trail back. Wet, hungry, and tired, the dog’s reunion brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

Tired, wet, and hungry, but safe

Day 20

This section is very slow with rocks.

In addition is the Pennsylvania version of the Knife’s Edge. It was Followed by another un-named section that was perhaps worse. To make it more “interesting”, it was very poorly marked. So I found myself standing in the middle of giant Boulders with no idea which way to go.

The whole way was in terminable rocks requiring concentration on every step. Steps no more than a foot to a foot and a half. Every step I had to lift my foot up and set it down. This is not even close to a normal walking gate. Only 13 miles but I was exhausted at the end.

There was some trail magic late in the day

Day 21

Knowing I had a long haul, I was up and moving by 6:30am. From Outerbridge Shelter, the trail drops down to Palmerton, then back up. The climb out of Palmerton was insane. Straight up with little foothold. If it were wet, I doubt I could have done it.

The white mark is 10 ft over my head. Hey guys, I’ve got a pack

The whole day was tedious, tiring, and totally unenjoyable. It was just a slog. On the ridge I ran into a Timber Rattler and then a copperhead in less than a minute. And that was the only thing of note all day. Exhausting!

Day 22

The trail was shorter today but just as bad. Absolutely nothing worthwhile. But it was shorter. The shelter had a nice view, and I was the only one there, although two women and one other guy camped at the site.

15 miles of this is @#$% is tiring

Day 23

Left at 7:00 am for a short hike to Delaware Water Gap and the Church of The Mountain Hiker. Got there before noon and immediately showered and hand washed my clothes. Ate and re-supplied on a hot day.

Delaware Water Gap, PA is the last stop in Pennsylvania before New Jersey.

The Church of The Mountain Hiker is a wonderful, free hostel! (Please leave a donation!!)

Tomorrow is New Jersey!

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Comments 4

Kathy Mack : May 23rd

Marty, enjoying reading your blogs and cheering you on! Wishing you safe travels as you move onward in your journey.
Kathy

Robert Benson : May 23rd

Hey Marty! Thank you for the frequent updates and pics. I’ve read every one and will keep reading them. Go Marty Go!
Robert (another old guy)

thetentman : May 23rd

We were going south when we got to Palmertown. My wife cried when we got to the way down and she was sure that it could not be done safely. But she did it and we saw a Copperhead going up the other side.

Thx for the post.

Donna and Gary Stueber : May 25th

Gary and I are following your blogs in our comfy digs in Logan Utah. One snake sighting would have turned us around. Love the pics … really gives us a sense of the challenges you face. Great job, Marty.