Date: 2012-06-29
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 11.4

Last night a thunder storm passed just north of us then another on passed just south of us but we only got drizzled on so our tents were dry by the morning. Today was going to be a very hot day, it is to be in the upper 90s and with a high humidity it is to feel like it¢s in the 100s...not my cup of tea. The first three miles were not too bad but it was really starting to get hot out so it was a tough three miles. We got to High Point State Park which is the highest point in New Jersey, we stopped by the ranger station to use the bathrooms and to fill up our water bottles but when we went inside it felt so good to be in the A/C we ended up staying there for almost an hour. We also go two free sodas from some Trail Angels who left them at the station for the thru hikers...thanks they tasted so good on a hot day like today.Once we left the ranger station we headed up the mountain to the highest point in NJ but found that the trail did not actually go up to it, there was a side trail to it but it was .3 miles more uphill and on a hot day like this one it was a no brainer we just continued on. From there the trail went downhill and the trail got less rocky so we were making good time. At some points we were all but running downhill, but unfortunately while I was running downhill I tripped and fell for the first time since I have been out here. I was beginning to think that just maybe it was possible to hike the entire AT without falling but I know it is not a matter of if but when I would fall, somehow I made it 1,333 miles and I am happy with that. I was ok though I came crashing down onto a grassy spot beside the trail and old had a few small scratches.The trail crossed a bunch of roads and streams today and for a little while it went through some fields and it was very hot in the direct sunlight. We were going very slow and took many breaks to drink water and to just rest. We made it to the Murray Property which is a cabin that hikers can stay at for free; it is owned and maintained by a former thru hiker. We needed to go there because we were all but out of water and we needed to take a break. When we got there we were the only ones there so we just sat in the shade and drank as much as we could. I then found a box fan in the cabin, I plugged it in and it worked! I just stood there holding it for a very long time, unfortunately it was time to leave and go back into the heat, while we were at the cabin I had left my watch out in the sun and it said it was 115 in the sun! We made it to Unionville NY and we meet up with Longhaul at a restaurant and decided to call it quits there for today, it was just too hot out to keep going. Longhaul said that he had reserved a room at a motel in Vernon NJ which was 13.8 miles north from here on the trail and he was going to slackpack tomorrow from Unionville north back to Vernon. He said there was room for us so we split the cost and headed to a motel for the night rather than staying out in this heat for the night. We cranked up the A/C as soon as we got to the motel and all took turns taking showers then just sat around and relaxed till it was time for bed. Well it¢s time to get some rest because tomorrow is to be just as hot as it was today so I need my sleep...night all.