Date: 2014-06-08
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

In which snakes were the theme for the day.No offense Pennsylvania but I'm just NOT liking you! Today started with rocks and although they were intermittent they still were a pain in the feet and ankles and knees. They also sap my energy and demand my full attention. Not only to watch my foot placement but also to constantly scan the path for obstacles which today meant snakes!!! I have a headache by the end of the day from my eyes constantly scanning back and forth all day. It's dizzying. I feel overloaded and exhausted looking for hazards which include but are not limited to snakes, rocks, muck, fallen tree limbs and such.Today hiking started out great. I walked 6 miles down to the first road in less than 3 hours just in time to soak my feet in the cold stream and eat breakfast number 2. This was a really peaceful and sunny little break which I enjoyed. Then off to climb up another ridge.Moments after hiking we came to more rocks! Then encountered a big snake sunning itself across the rocks which was our only route forward. It was another black snake like yesterday with a light patterened belly. It didn't act like a normal "king" snake or black racer either. So now we had another snake delay. What to do? This time the snake slithered across the rocks very slowly, but steadily, which was progress. We patiently waited until the snake was almost across the rocks then I made my move. As I did the snake was head first slithering into its hole. However, when Murphy walked by it promptly raised its tail and started rattling at us! I heard it! She heard and saw it! "No it didn't!" we both looked at each other and thought. So I was over rude snakes! and rocks.I continued hiking and eventually forgot our snake encounter as I scanned the trail moving forward. I stopped for lunch break then onward. No one is out on the trail again today. It's been very quiet. I saw 3 day hikers prior to our snake incident and that's been it for today.After lunch we only had 2.5 miles to the next shelter so we were energized and cruising along, scanning the trail and making good time. Until...I walked right passed a timber rattler 6 inches from my left foot. It was all coiled up under a plant sitting right on the edge of the trail. I saw it out of my peripheral vision just as my foot landed right next to it. I jumped so quickly as I passed it and attempted to warn Murphy but all that came out of my mouth was "Ugh... snake.....stop!". She heard the panic in my voice and did just that. So yet again another snake delay except this time we were trapped with a snake in the middle of us. The trail at this point was a foot wide if that. The snake could easily strike without any effort and it was not even moving or thinking about moving. It had settled in for the long haul. Now what? I threw a snake at it, not a good idea. No movement. So after deliberating for a while the best option was to bushwack around the trail to get passed the snake. However, in order to do that that meant walking in the shrubs and leaves not knowing what was lurking in the midst. Murphy did just that and I'm very happy to say she survived, unharmed! This snake did not even rattle at us at all!My hands were still shaking! Talk about an adrenaline rush! I'm sooo over snakes! and did I say rocks? and Pennsylvania? I am ready to knock this state off and put it on the done list. I have not liked much of Pennsylvania except for the people I have met. Pennsylvania so far has provided a "killer" on the loose in the woods, a creepy dude in black, rattle snakes and rocks! I've been reminded of the fact that I have no desire to live in Pennsylvania or hike it again. Been there, done that and not going back! I still love life on the trail and the adventure it's provided. I'm just over snakes! Did I mention I'm over snakes!It is now 730pm and I'm fed, watered and sitting in the shelter watching it rain. Brian (from Colorado) and Wade (from Detroit) are here. Just the 4 of us! Wade had a wind up radio so we were treated to some musical entertainment as we watched the rain pour down. Glad to have a roof over my head tonight! Good night. Going to sleep to have nightmares about....yes, snakes.