Date: 2005-04-23
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To:  Palmerton-Parkside Inn, Room 8
Miles today: 7.7

It rained during the night, on and off, but when it wasn¢t raining it was dripping from the trees. I awoke to find myself in a dense fog, realy thick. The visibility was so bad that there was no way that I could see to the next blaze. Nothing for it but to await the sun and hope for some improvement. It took awhile, but at last I was able to see 50-75 yards, so I decided to start out.   The first part of the day ¢ to Ashfield Road ¢ was an OK trail, but without much improvement in the fog, I was constantly alert for the next blaze. After Ashfield Road my map has a notation that says ¢Unmaintained, very rocky and open¢ This had me seriously worried, since it was the first such warning on the map that I recalled and, knowing how difficult some of the sections had been, and how rocky, I was very worried about way finding in the thick fog, that still showed no sign of improving. Sure enough, the trail gradually became more and more exposed, with the trees becoming smaller and more sparse, and then changing entirely to scrub. The trail however was not rocky and I continued to make good time. I kept waiting for the ¢Unmaintained, Rocky¢ section, and thanked each white blaze that I found through the fog as I passed. I had visions of soon coming to a barren vista of jumbled rocks merging into the fog in all directions and no clear indication of the direction of the trail and not a white blaze in sight. From blaze to blaze I crawled along, awaiting the worst.   Then I noticed that the trail was going downhill. How could this be? Incredibly I found myself at the North Trail junction ¢ well beyond the ¢Here be Dragons¢ section on the map. I was in fact descending to Outerbridge Shelter and Lehigh Gap! I don¢t know what promoted the mapmakers to issue such a dire warning, but the trail is, if anything, easy in comparison to the previous sections. Some things are more dreaded in anticipation than they are in reality.      While on the descent into the Gap, I was passed by what appeared to be a large Boy Scout Troop. Looming out of the mist and rain, the initial group was pushing it realy hard and fast on the uphill. All of the adults were in this front group. I then encountered a long line of stragglers- all young, maybe 7-10 year olds ¢ all struggling under enormous packs, with no adults among them. The tail end Charlie was no more than 8 years old, with a pack that went from his knees to over his head, he was wet, cold, tired, lonely, and close to tears. I gave him what encouragement I could, but I was so mad at the adult Troop leaders. Can you imagine how the little guy was feeling, being left further and further behind by his companions, struggling under the weight of the bag, in the rear and the fog, on a very, very long uphill, with no idea how far ahead the rest of the pack was, but knowing that he was falling further and further behind? This was realy inexcusable conduct by the adult leaders ¢ all of the pack needs to stay together, and there should be a responsible adult to take up the rear as a sweeper.   I finally walked out of the fog and the rain as I came down off of the mountain, and when I reached the road I could see the massive destruction of the foliage on the lower slopes, brought about as a result of the extensive zinc mining in the area. The slopes are stripped bear of almost all growth, with barren rock exposed in many places.      The two-mile hike into town was also an adventure. The Lehigh Gap is very narrow, and has to accommodate a river, a railway, and a four-lane highway. The westbound lanes of the highway are cut into the solid rock of the mountain, and there is only a scant few feet separating the walker from the heavy and speeding traffic, and the sheer concrete abutment that has been constructed to retain the loose mountain rock. I was in constant terror that I would be smeared on the retaining wall by a speeding semi trailer. This was certainly the most dangerous part of the day.   Found the Parkside Inn without difficulty in the middle of downtown Palmerton. It is like the Drake in Duncannon- an old hotel over a bar. It is more upscale, having an elaborate restaurant, rooms with showers, and even a small TV. Showered, fed, laundered ¢ with two manic-depressive brothers, both well into their manic stage, at the laundry. They could not stop talking and yelling at each other. Found a store with Diet Dr Pepper- will try a change from the Diet Coke.   Got a good signal and spoke with KT, All is well. Will plan out the next stage in the morning. I like it here. It is still raining and the forecast is for more rain in the morning.Thought for today ¢It is not the rainIt is the coldIt is not the fogIt is the lightIt is not the fearIt is the decisions.