Date: 2016-05-09
From: James Fry Shelter 

To: Darlington Shelter 
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

Everybody got up around the same time this morning, 6:30 or so. I felt badly about last night because I managed to drop both my pack and my stove from a good height while some folks were trying to sleep. No more top bunk for me for a while. The morning started with easy downhill and then shifted into the largest set of climbs and descents we've had in PA. Which isn't saying much. We pushed through a place labeled "the Rock maze" in which the trail wove through a number of tall rock formations. The trail planners clearly had fun making it, and I spose it was fun to hike. I paced White Rabbit and Frost all morning. After one more push up a we began the descent into Boiling Springs. A few miles before town, we hit a set of open farm fields covered in wood scraps, the start of Cumberland Valley; the trail leaves the last remains of what is the Blue Ridge further south and cuts due north across Pennsylvania to reach the long ridges that run east to west across the state. What is left is a huge section of flat trail with no camping and little water. I felt very lucky to have overcast and cool weather for our crossing: Thursday would've been miserable in the heat or even just the sun. I walked with Doctor Trails, Frost and Rain Man and we pulled into Boiling Springs together, and laid out stuff down at the regional offices of the ATC. We stopped in at the outfitter (where I purchased a gas canister that turns out does not work with my stove, I learned after testing it) and then went to lunch at Cafe 101, where we met Magic and Puzzles, who were taking it easy after their four miles into town this morning. I ate a delicious Reuben and an apple dumpling and went back to the ATC and packed up. I listened to Grizzly Bear's discography as I passed through fields, small stands of woods and brush between fields, through backyards, over interstates and railroads, on bridges, in tunnels, all this madness of the Cumberland Valley. There are about 12 miles of the flat ground outside of Boiling Springs, and it took a long time. My knees were yelling at me for pushing them tomorrow and today, and the last few flat miles were a little stiff. I sped up as I began climbing again towards Darlington Shelter, the goal for the evening (and the destination for just about everyone from last night, after Frost and the gang decided 12 into Boiling Springs was not enough). I created the first long ridge we've encountered in PA and headed to the shelter. It's another nice shelter, and I've got a spot on the floor, rather than the bunks. In case I drop anything, ya know. Around 7:15, a trail runner rolled up and, to everyone's great surprise, offered us cookies and sodas that he packed up for whoever was staying the night here! His name is Patrick, he lives nearby, and extremely kindly offered advice for Duncannon as well as a shuttle for whoever needed one. He also picked me out immediately as Portage as he apparently reads my journal! Thanks so much Patrick! Your magic really brightened our evening. Frost and I bonded over love of H Jon Benjamin and the show Bojack Horseman. Doctor Trails rolled up after taking his time in Boiling Springs, and we were all in the bags by 9. It's been pretty cold the last few nights!