Date: 2007-07-25
From: Lehigh Gap, PA248/PA145

To: Wind Gap, PA33
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I thought the rocks couldn't get any worse!!! We drove into Palmerton to the hostel everyone was staying at to see who would be slackpacking today. Pinball Wizard and Yellow Snowman took us up on the offer, and just before 10 am we were on our way. Almost immediately we had a 1,000 foot climb. We took it slowly because 1) we were all tired from yesterday, and 2) the climb up to the ridge was actually a climb up a boulder field. This was by far the worst rocks we've seen yet, but fun in a way. It was a rock scramble, especially the 2nd half. There was absolutely no vegitation - only rocks. At the top, still going from rock to rock, it flattened out. It was a scene like I've never seen before on the AT. The ridge stretched about 100 yards on either side. There were only rocks on this wide open space. It seemed like where they sent the Apollo astronauts to train them for landing on the moon. There were skeletons of trees scattered about, but virtually no live plants, shrubs, trees or even grass. It turned out we were walking through the one Superfund site on the AT. Years ago there was a zinc smelter just below the ridge. The chemicals from this process had leached into the ground, killing all plant life. There was just nothing alive (except us) along the ridge for about one mile. Very interesting, yet eerie. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures as the camera ran out of batteries. As the rocks diminished and we were just getting a good pace going, Pinball Wizard hit his toe on a rock. He was hiking in sandals today (don't ask) and sliced his toe open. His sandal was full of blood. Not carrying any first aid supplies as we got rid of everything for slackpacking, we wrapped the cut in toilet paper and covered that in duct tape. We came upon a group of botanists and others discussing revegitation efforts, where Pinball obtained some ibuprofin and bandaids. We kept moving on.The rest of the day consisted of rocky terrain, absolutely no water sources, and frequent yelp of pain from Pinball. During our conversations, I learned that Yellow Snowman was training to become a monk, gave that up, and now has his own business laying tile at the ripe age of 24. He spends his free time as a complete motorhead. A great guy, and interesting. towards the end of the day we were all thirsty (having run out of water) and decided to crank up the speed to get the day over with. We finished the last 5 miles in a bit over an hour, moving at warp speed despite the rocks. We knew my parents were waiting for us with cold drinks!!! And they were. Thank you, thank you, thank you. After unwinding a bit, downing a diet soda, a beer, and nearly 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk (and that was just for me), my parents and I headed back to the RV park. On the way, we stopped at an ice cream shop where I got a banana split. After a much needed shower, relaxing for a few, eating a great sausage adn pepper sandwich (offered by the owners of the RV park), I spent an hour cleaning my water bladder, which had developed mold in the drinking tube, and then headed to bed. Tomorrow I finish Pennsylvania. Yeah!!!Ok - now a very important survey question for all of you. I promised myself I wouldn't shave until I reached the end of the trip at Mt. Kadahdin. I didn't say anything about not cutting my hair, though. So...should I shave my head bald while leaving the beard, or let my hair grow? I'd like your thoughts on this over the next week, so tell me your views. You can post them in the guest book.