Date: 2003-06-20
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter 

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

After the rain yesterday while hiking, I was hoping for no rain today, at least for a while. It was not to be. There was a light rain falling most of the day, but it started as a mist, with the wind blowing larger drops off the trees. Michelle was brave, and chose to haul my pack first thing this morning, while I carried hers. I say brave, not only because mine weighs more than hers, but mostly because the back pad of my pack was soaked, with sweat and rain, and when it's wet, it's stinkysmellybad. A brave sould, my sis!She did just wonderfully though, carrying my pack until we took a break at an overlook. The view was the best of the day. But that's not saying much, as the other views were completely fogged/clouded in. When we switched back, she said "Oh, I guess mine is much lighter than yours."We got to a road crossing, and knew a local Bed and Breakfast had a spigot outside that we could get water from, so we went there. It was about 50 yards from the trail. We took shelter from the misty rain under their front porch. I knew they wouldn't mind, since it was around 10am and they didn't open for lunch until 11am. I tried to talk Mich into hanging around for lunch, but she was all hike, and refused. Or she didn't want to stand around for an hour. I'm not sure which was the case.We headed out again, this time she had the poncho on over herself and her pack and I wore my rain jacket. It was a good thing we did that, because the rain started coming a little heavier. It was a bad thing that happened, because the rocks got bad. Well, the rocks weren't horrible, but with the wet conditions they were ... dangerous. There were huge boulder piles. Unfortunately, the white blazes were painted on them. So we climbed. Slowly. Slid, carefully. Tried to find the best route, deliberately. Stopped talking so we could concentrate on not falling. Exclaimed things like "Holy shit" and "Jeez" and "What the". Cursed under our breath. I did anyway. Had the rocks been dry, it would have been much easier, and quite possibly fun. But after falling yesterday in nothing this dangerous, I was taking my sweet time, trying not to slip.When we got through The Cliffs, I was hoping that was the end of the bouldering for the day. Especially since the rain wasn't ending. My hopes were dashed, when, once again, blazes left the trees and I found them on the boulders. Same careful, deliberate, slow steps, using poles and hands and butt-slides to make our way safely. We made it safely.We had made pretty good time until the rock sections. We were even considering a 18 mile day to get to Lehigh Gap and the Palmerton jail to spend the night. When we got to Bake Oven Knob Shelter, it was 2pm, and we sat down for lunch. Thruhiker Rob stopped in too, but headed on to Palmerton for the night. We debated on going the 7 miles to the next shelter, the 8 miles to Palmerton, or staying right where we were. When the rain fell harder, our decision was easier. We stayed. It was early, but we stayed. When the decision was made, we changed into dry clothes, removed soaked shoes and socks and crawled into our sleeping bags. Aaaaahhhh...... warm and mostly dry!Within 2 hours, 7 more people had shown up, coming from the north and the south. One decided to continue north to the next shelter or Palmerton. In the Red and his girlfriend are tented, and Not the Kennedys, and Brian and Samantha who are out for two weeks headed south are in the shelter with Mich and I. This old shelter is full, and nicely decorated with dripping packs, coats, socks, bandanas, etc.The rain hasn't let up yet and it's now 8pm. I'm glad we stayed here, even though I think we could've made at least the next shelter. That would've meant a 17 mile day for Mich, which she suggested, but I think we would've pushed too much. I was worried yesterday that I'd messed up by not getting water and forcing us to go to the shelter. As it turns out, with the rain, I'm glad we did go there, and I think she is too. She seemed to grasp the concept of staying at shelters in bad weather, rather quickly. If we'd gone to Palmerton, sure, we would've stayed in an enclosed structure, with indoor restrooms, hot showers and food nearby, but we'd also have set ourselves up for a steep climb in the morning. I've heard the upcoming climb is over rocks, some of which have rebar handholds and footholds to assist hikers. If it's raining or wet tomorrow, I don't know that I'd want to set her up for that. I don't know that I want to do it in bad weather either. At least, if I w! ere by myself, I'd only be responsible for myself, and not for my sister too. (Besides, if I let her do a 17-mile day on her SECOND DAY EVER of backpacking, I'd look pretty foolish since it took me 2-1/2 days to do that at the beginning.)I love having my sis here with me. I don't know that she's been enjoying the rocks and rain, but she's gotten a sample of the worst. I think she can survive 8 more miles of it tomorrow. We're already making plans to have lunch and a drink in Palmerton before having Mom pick us up. And she's looking forward to a shower and hotel bed tomorrow night, so she's learned quickly.This is my second day hiking without Hotdog, and it seems strange. Since I've had company, though, it's been okay. Hotdog's taking this weekend off to go visit family and friends in New Jersey, and it might work out that we'll both be heading north out of Lehigh Gap on Tuesday morning. Then I'd hike with him for 4 days, before my dad and brothers come up to visit, and I take more time off. Once again, I'll fall behind Hotdog, but with him having family coming to visit through NY and NJ, who knows, I might just see him again.My dad and brothers might hike with me some, and if they do, I don't think they'll face the challenges Mich did. Today, when we came to one of the boulder climbs, she had to take a picture, and she told me to make sure I told the guys just how rough it was for her. I must admit, it has not been the easiest of days, and with the rain, it's not the wonderful impression I wanted to leave with her. However, it has been real. I'm not glad for what she's hiked through, but I am very glad she wanted to do it. She's done great! She should though.... she's my sister!