One Month On The Trail

Trials and Tribulations

Over the past 4 weeks I have either had a dead phone, or a lack of service, so getting updates posted has been difficult.

Today is our first day taking a zero day in 229 miles, so we’re pretty thrilled. We’re also officially done with PA as of today, and I can’t say I’m going to miss this state. It’s been beautiful and everything, but the rocks here are real assholes.

I had my worst day ever about three weeks ago leaving Duncannon, PA. The day started off great, it was a beautiful, cool morning that was perfect. Here’s a glimpse of what it looked like.

Then PA decided I was having too much fun and proceeded to kick my ass. In a matter of 10 hours I managed to:

• Roll my ankle 5 times
• Break my phone
• Walked down a steep, rocky, 300 stone step, half mile side trail for water, and then proceeded to spill all of it in my bag after filling up. That part really sucked.

All the while black flies swarmed me all day long, just rubbing salt into the wound. But that was really the only bad day I’ve had so far, and I’ve had far worse days back home.

We had an interesting experience night hike from Boiling Springs to Darlington shelter. Five of us took off around 9 pm to avoid getting cooked by the sun in the cornfields.

Around 2 AM we were walking through the dark woods and all of a sudden this music starts playing, which was quite a surreal moment. Here’s a short, poor quality video of it.

MOV_74981 (captured but Two Step, who is no longer on the trail)

I mentioned that I’m ecstatic to get out of this state, and I am, but it would be unfair to say that I didn’t have a good time here. There has been plenty of gorgeous scenery, and the trail, although technical, was a fun challenge. We summited Lehigh Gap a few days ago, and it has definitely been the most exciting section we’ve hiked thus far. It felt as if our hard work had paid off, and it was captured in the most American looking photo ever.

Regardless if a day is exciting or not, every day out here is a good one. Life is simple and easy going, and that’s fine by me. We’re just excited to see where the trail takes us next.