Finding People in Southern PA: AT Flip Flop Days 11-14

Day 11

I woke up in the hotel in Waynesboro, PA, completely refreshed. It was by far the best sleep I had had in the past month, even before getting on trail. I got up for the complimentary breakfast and then took my time packing my gear that had mercifully dried overnight. I decided to resupply since Walmart was right there, but I bought too much and had a very heavy load. I’m still trying to figure out my food. Then I got lunch before getting a ride back to trail. 

The trail was easy, but I took it slow, since my feet were still sore from the day before. I met a few people on trail, and walked with a NOBO (north bound) hiker for the last mile of my day (she kept going). A few hikers I talked to on the trail and at camp bemoaned the lack of people on trail up here. I was starting to feel this isolation myself. Was hiking the AT not cool anymore? 

There’s a saying that “the trail provides.” The same night I was starting to think I would have to hike the whole trail alone, I met fellow flip-floppers The Meandering McGees. They would become my first trail friends, and I would continue to hike with and around them.

Day 12

I was only planning to do a short day to give my feet some time to rest. I got to where I was going to stop around noon, but the McGees convinced me to push for a BBQ lunch in Fayetteville. We hustled down the trail to the road and then the half mile down the road only to find the BBQ joint closed. 

Dejected, I walked back up the road and made lunch at Caledonia State Park. I had bought too much food in Waynesboro and regretfully threw away some food that I had been carrying from the start. Those foods were not going down well anyway (RIP peanut butter), and dropping some weight in my pack felt great.

I walked the last few miles to the shelter. Over the course of the evening, the area filled up with quite a few hikers. I was exhausted and not feeling very social, so I ate dinner, soaked my feet in the spring, and got ready for bed early. However, I would go on to meet and even hike with several of the hikers here over the next few days. 

Day 13

I slept well despite the whippoorwills singing through the night. Soaking my feet yesterday made a big difference in my soreness, and the hiking felt easier despite being a longer day. I was the last person out of camp, but I passed almost everyone before lunch. 

After lunch, I got my first trail magic from an older couple giving out snacks and drinks. It was great to talk to them about all the hikers they’ve met over the years (and to wash my hands with real soap and water). Afterwards, I walked with a hiker named Dragonfly for the rest of the day. It was really nice to walk and talk with someone for a change, since I had mostly walked alone to this point.

After we got to camp, I quickly set up my hammock and then sat with the other hikers in the picnic table area to socialize and eat dinner. It finally felt like I was really finding community on the trail now.

Day 14

It rained off and on overnight, but the rain held off while I packed up camp. As I was finishing and getting my food bag to make breakfast, the rain returned. Everyone was excited to reach Pine Grove Furnace State Park in just under 4 miles. It was going to be a nero (nearly zero miles, a type of rest day) for me.

I was first out of camp, and hiked through the rain quickly. I checked into the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel and took probably the saddest shower of my life with no water pressure. It still felt good to get cleanish and dry though.

I wandered over to the General Store to hang out and watch the NOBOs attempt the half gallon challenge. After passing the halfway point, hikers try to eat a half gallon of ice cream in under an hour. Since my stomach was not used to hiking yet and I was nowhere near halfway, I just got a burger. 

Quite a few of the people from camp the past few days and quite a few other hikers stayed at the hostel too, so I got to know more people throughout the day. I was the first person to check in, and the bunk room I chose was empty when I claimed my spot, but for some reason all the women chose to stay in my room. Despite being there first, I felt a little like I was intruding, but everyone seemed to be ok with me being there.

The Friends of the State Forest had a free concert in the park tonight. A local singer/songwriter, forester, and teacher named Van Wagner played tunes he had written about the history and ecology of the area. It was really neat to learn about the area through his songs and explanations.

Lack-of-Shower Thoughts 

I am starting to develop a routine. In the morning when I am ready to get out of the hammock, I first break camp and pack my hammock and tarp. If there is water nearby, I filter the water I will need for the first stretch of the day. Then I get my food bag and eat breakfast. After that, I do my warmup stretching and set off hiking. Depending on how far I go determines how early I try to start hiking, but for an average day I aim for between 8 and 8:30.

When I get to camp for the day, usually at a shelter, I look for a place to hang my hammock and set up camp right away. Then I eat dinner and brush my teeth so that I can properly store my food bag. If the water is a ways away from the shelter (it is often down a steep cliff), then I’ll go get water for the morning, but if the water source is conveniently close to camp, I prefer to wait until morning. If people are around, I will socialize, or I will write in my journal to chronicle the day (haven’t missed a day yet). I wait around until I’m ready to go to sleep, pee one last time, and then I get into my hammock for the night.