Date: 2015-06-24
From: Kempton, PA

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter, PA
Miles today: 24.2

Up at 7:30am next to Burnsides in a bed that we shared. We cranked the AC all last night and motivating myself to climb out from under the sheets was a challenge. After doing so I started my day with a quick shower, packed up my gear,mind enjoyed a breakfast of granola, bacon, and farm-to-fridge milk. Moosehead, Burnsides, and I began watching Radio Flyer in the process and, once again, motivating ourselves to return to the trail was a challenge. I quickly dropped deuce #1 for the day and we were soon heading back to the trail by 9:15am. Hitting the trail around 9:45am, our plan was to reach 1 of 2 shelters, at 18 miles and 24 miles, depending how our bodies responded post-zero.The hike began with a gradual yet steady climb of ~700ft over the first mile and a half to Dan's Pulpit. We breaked here, enjoying a nice view back towards the ridges we had hiked along 2 days before. After deuce #2 for the day we were back on the trail. We reached Allentown Hiking Club Shelter just before noon where we breaked for lunch and a quick ~15 minute nap. It doesn't take long to realize that, during the day, a hiker can fall asleep in literally any position and on any surface. Burnsides passed out on the floor of the shelter while I entered a sleep coma on a bench. Unfortunately my slumber was ruined by a hiker that arrived and set into bashing other hikers. Fortunately that doesn't happen too often out here and, if it does, I separate myself from those people.Moosehead left moments ahead to refill on water ~100 yards down a side trail and I wouldn't see him again until tonight. Burnsides and I returned to the trail, bumping into Yoohoo and Duck who were arriving at the shelter for their own lunch. Burnsides and I continued another ~4 miles to the Blue Mountain Summit Bed & Breakfast. We walked ~100 yards off trail to it for I was set on getting a Coke. No luck, however, as they're only open from Thursday to Sunday. A faucet available to hikers sits in one of the corners of the building so we did take advtange of that. A couple of ladies pulled up in their car as we approached the building and asked several questions about the trail and our hike so far. Thoroughly impressed, they drove on. Deuce #3 would follow soon after and then we'd return to the trail.The majority of the day, especially the afternoon, would be spent navigating extremely rocky terrain, our ankles and the soles of our feet taking a beating in the process. My new boots already show wear after 1 day of use so I'll have to monitor them as I continue through the rockiest part of Pennsylvania still ahead. REI or Keen will be receiving a call if need be. We caught back up with Yoohoo, Duck, and Marbles (a flip-flopper who recently began in Harper's Ferry) and traversed both the Knife Edge and Bear Rocks, sketchy rock outcroppings offering amazing views of the lowland surrounding the ridge we've been on. Today was one of the first days in a good while where distant views weren't ruined by fog or haze; sunny, blue skies only helped make it that much sweeter.A few miles later Burnsides and I topped out on Bake Oven Knob where, spray painted rocks and a group of under aged teens drinking beer gave away its status as a local hangout. A couple had some questions for us which we happily answered, but with miles to go we were soon back on the trail. Half a mile later we reached [Easy] Bake Oven Knob Shelter which, due to to a history of zinc pollution contaminating the water sources, would be our last water refill for the next ~20 miles. I also ate a quick dinner of 2 Nutty Bars and rounded off the day day with deuce #4. My props again to Jonathan and Julia for feeding me too well.At 6:30pm, Burnsides and I set off again with ~7 miles left to our destination. Hobbling over more jagged rocks, we were awarded with trail magic by 2 men offering tons of water, donuts, crackers, apples, etc. They originally told us they were out of Coke, but Burnsides dug around in a container stuffed with goodies and scored the last 2 hidden Coke's. It was meant to be. It was the perfect pick-me-up with ~5 miles left. These final miles would pass by quickly as we busted it in order to beat the approaching darkness. We rolled into the shelter just before 9:00pm where we found Moosehead eating dinner. With other hikers already sleeping nearby, we kept out communication to a minimum as we prepared to bed down for the night. It's currently just after 10:00pm and I can already hear Moosehead snoring in his tent...~100ft away. Burnsides has retired quietly into his tent. I decided to cowboy camp tonight since the cool evening has kept the flies at bay.Hopefully sleep finds me soon because a stiff test awaits in the morning. Soon after we begin we'll have to climb one of the most difficult climbs between here and New Hampshire. Although the climb only spans .8 of a mile, we'll have to trek up ~1,000ft in the process. The good thing, however, is that the remainder of the day, like today, should just be ridge running. Only ~2 more days left in Pennsylvania.Here's to a day of fine views, a Coke when most-needed, and clean bowels.