Date: 2012-06-12
From: Unionville, NY

To: Greenwood Lake
Miles today: 23.0

12 June.  23 miles to Greenwood Lake, NY.6/12/12  "Today we hiked 23 miles. We slept in and left late. After a few miles we met a Grandmother/Granddaughter duo. Peacock( the granddaughter) was 6 years old! We talked with them for a while, but then we had to leave. It rained on us more than half of the day. We hurried as fast as we could. But then the rocks got very slick. And for the first time ever I truly was frightened.   The rocks slowed us down. Alot. After that we went to town and got a room."                       ¢Sunshine:-)Epic!  Finally we have encountered a section of trail that challenges our skill and experience. We recently watched the 2011 class video with Meow Meow, and then Drop and Roll.  We finally realized what was missing on this journey.  Everything about the PCT was epic.  We haven't seen epic here yet, until now.  Today was epic!  The day started with the same old same old trail till around 2:00pm.  We had begun crossing the .6 miles of board walk when it began To rain.  Once everything became nice and wet we encountered four miles of huge rocks.  Many rocks were 6-8 feet or more high.  In some places, I would brace against the rocks and Sunshine would climb down or up using me as a ladder. There was a wooden ladder on one particularly tough assent, but mostly I would climb up a rock and then pull Sunshine up to the enormous slab I was standing on. It was raining so everything was unbelievably slick.  I was in front so Sunshine could see me slip and know not to step there.  We were very careful to protect her arm.  I tore up my right hand pretty good and jared my back on one nasty fall.  We heard a helicopter overhead and feared that Beacon may have had an emergency.  Also, It was getting late and dark was coming soon so I called him incase he need us to assist.  Thankfully, he was fine and the chopper was just passing by.  We had already crossed the first 3 miles of treacherous rock.  I knew we would get to town before dark, but there was no way he would.  I suggested he get off the rocks asap, set up camp and we would regroup in the morning.  He had just encountered the rocks, and said "don't worry, I just finished the big rocks and should be able to speed up my pace".  I said "are you sure we're on the same trail, because I'm 3 miles in and it's only getting worse".  He later agreed with that statement.  The fog was thick and visibility was low.  After another mile of slipping and sliding, we reached the side trail and arrived to town at dusk.  I called Beacon once again to admonish him to stay up there, but he wouldn't hear of it.  We stayed in contact with him so we could dispatch help if needed.  We walked past search and rescue on the way to the hotel.  They were all standing by their cars talking, and about to leave.  I almost told them to be on standby for a couple of hours, but didn't want anyone jumping the gun.  He got to the room at 11:00pm more or less unscaved.  If anyone plans on hiking this section, I would caution you to plan for extra time and try to avoid it when wet. Sorry, there aren't any pictures because I didn't want to get the iPod wet.