Date: 2007-07-18
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

July 18, OUCH!Ooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww! Today was extremely painful - the most pain I've been in since somewhere in Georgia, I think. These darn Pennsylvania rocks! The sad part is I don't think today was the worst of the rocks yet.We got a late start today because it was raining when we got up so we all satinside the shelter until after 9 a.m. debating the merits of town versus themerits of hiking. Had I known what was ahead of us today, I would have advocated differently.Melk, Youngle and I started hiking at 9:20 a.m. I practically had to crawl after about three miles - I was already in a heap of pain. We took a break at acampsite for lunch with C-Shot and then after about an hour, carried on.I was already having a rough day. The video game keeps getting more intense. Not only was the trail a rocky mess but gnats were partying around my head allmorning. I actually punched myself in the nose with the handle of my trekkingpole at one point while trying to swat one away. Ouch. They just kept comingback and sitting on my eyelashes. I was completely frustrated. I may need thesuper power of a bug net soon.Anyway, about a mile into the hike, I was perplexed. I'd heard about fake whiteblazes that were leading hikers astray to a hunter's cabin and I got reallynervous that I'd followed them. The trail seemed oddly constructed and theblazes for southbounders were lacking. After about a half hour, I saw Melk andwe clarified everything. We were on the right trail. And my feet were stillaching - all normal.We took a long break before our last push to the shelter. It was tough toconvince me to hike again.It had been a day as all past thru-hikers have described PA - rocky and hot with dry springs all around. We've started to be really careful about getting water whenever possible because may of the water sources have dried up and areunreliable.When we got to the shelter, Youngle and I fetched some water from a questionable looking source and then set up camp with Melk, Ronin, Coach and Kimchi, and Mate and Genesis. It's been really nice camping with them the past few nights -they usually play the guitar at night and sing very nicely. I enjoy it.It was a rough day and probably the only day so far that I actually consideredcalling my dad to tell him I'm tired and would like a ride home, as promised.But, alas, Katahdin still beckons. It is helpful to think about that.- Sound of a tent zipper, Mate talking, crickets, a plane overhead, a fly undermy rainfly, people walking through the leaves.Post Trail Thoughts;This was definitely one of my most painful days on the trail. It's odd how bad my feet hurt but today, sitting here, I can't even imagine that much pain. I think Miss Janet is right - thru-hiking is much like giving birth in that you forget how painful it actually was. I've never given birth but I have to believe that is true. Anyway, we were all a but pissy this day but I do remember Mate' and Genesis spicing things up with questions like "would you rather..." followed by two completely ridiculous scenarios. Quite enjoyable.We stopped at one point where the trail took a sharp right and Melk fell asleep. We were all strewn about the land as if we couldn't help ourselves. What a bunch.