Date: 2015-07-09
From: High Point Shelter

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

I got up early and packed quickly with the plan to get an early start. But just as I was finishing packing up the rain started. It looked like it was going to rain for a while, so I put on my pack cover and rain pants, and hit the trail. The AT was still within the state park area, so the trail was relatively easy. There were also lots of beautiful rock walls. I LOVE the old rock walls. The area is full of rocks. The folks who settled in the area cleared the rocks to make places for roads, places to plant crops, and places to build their homes. The rocks were stacked and used as walls. Some rock walls are nothing more than a long low pile of rocks, while other rock walls are tightly built with rocks carefully stacked to a uniform height and width. I have been seeing various forms of rock walls since I got back on the AT in Harper's Ferry.   Sometimes the AT goes right over the rock walls. The ones I saw today were very impressive and extremely well built. Off in the distance I saw a break in one of the walls which was clearly defined and was probably used to drive a wagon through. The old wooden fences, barns, and houses have all rotted or burned down, but the rock walls remain. Imagine all the American history those rock walls have silently witnessed! The settlement of America, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Depression, etc.I have tried to take pictures of the rock walls, but so far none of the pictures seem to accurately capture the true beauty of the walls. Some are so tightly constructed, and the rocks are so large and heavy, I can only imagine the time, skill, labor, and strength needed to construct them.A light rain continued throughput the morning. I stopped by the Murray Property to get water and charge my phone. Murray thru hiked the,AT in the 80"s and then bought property near the trail. He graciously allows hikers to get water from his well, camp on his property, take a cold outdoor shower,and charge their phones. The water alone is a huge help because for 7 miles there was no other water source listed in the AT guide. The rain finally cleared, and the trail was relatively easy, so I made good time. The AT went around large tracts of the Wallkill. Reserve. The area looked marshy and reminded me of parts of Florida. Without tree cover the trail was also very sun exposed and hot. I was starting to run low on water, so I was very glad when the AT headed back into the woods.The shelter had no water scource, so the AT guide advised getting water from the spigot at a vacant house at the base of the mountain. I drank as much water as I could, then I carried all the water I would need for the evening and in the morning up the mountain, which was no easy feat at the end of the day.A storm was coming, so everyone at the shelter was busy cooking their dinners and getting ready to go to bed. I was glad that I reached the shelter and had all my camp chores done well before the storm hit. I shared the shelter with 2 guys, one called Back Track and the other called Big Country, who warned us that he snored terribly. He did not exaggerate. Not only did the poor man snore, but he had sleep apnea.   All night long he either snored or gasped for air. Ear plugs did absolutely nothing to block the noise.The AT is calling. But first I need to get some sleep.