Date: 2018-06-06
From: Wawayonda shelter

To: Wildcat shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I don't know if I was dreaming but I thought I heard a woman say "bear" while I was sleeping. I didn't mention it to Thumper until she told me that Probation Termination thought that he heard a bear in camp last night. That stairway to heaven climb really toasted me and I slept well! Up with the birds as usual today I had a cold breakfast and packed up to go. Today I will cross into NY and check another state off the list! We stayed up on this ridge and while bumping along large rock slabs and some moderate rocky ups and downs. I met Slingshot, Capt Ron and Roundabout Reith today and we had some brief conversation about the rocks and trail. I almost missed the NY border when I came across it painted on a rock, but I abruptly stopped to photo it just in time and make a Marco Polo message for my husband so we could cross it together. It felt really good but not as monumental as getting out of PA! Just after that I was standing on the highest point of the trail in NY overlooking Greenwood lake. The weather has been wonderful, cool but sunny and perfect for hiking on the exposed rock. I saw a note in the AWOL guide this morning that reads " despite the unimposing profile, rocks, abrupt ups and downs make this section challenging". Hmm. I'm not sure that sounds like fun and early in the day I realized that's no joke. NY is pretty badass! 2nd only to the famed Whites! About now, since my legs are feeling the effects of the stairway to heaven climb I'm starting to feel like NY is about to kick my butt. The climbing is steep and challenging for sure and often I'm stowing my poles and using my hands while wishing I was slack packing this section. I came across a handy ladder in one section and was super grateful! Today did offer several nice views. At least there was that reward. Slingshot told me about hot dogs and ice cream in Bellvale at around noon or so. The hotdogs close at 3pm. For a while I think if I hike fast I can make it. And I realized soon that this terrain won't let me and I have to give up the vision of hot dogs dancing in my head. I settle on the ice cream because they are open until 8pm and I lumber thru the climbs. At 4:30 and on my last ounce of energy I get to the road and make a left toward Bellvale Creamery which is the longest .10 mile I've ever walked. I saw Lorax walking back to the trail and he said the walk was worth it! I got a strawberry sundae with coconut ice cream and the cashier had a hard time getting that. Not the friendliness I expected but the ice cream was delicious and the view outstanding. I suppose it doesn't help I haven't showered since Saturday! A section hiker Patrick joined us. After an hour and a half rest and refill of my water from their hiker station and a trip to the flush toilet with warm water and soap Thumper and I headed to the trail for the last 2 miles to the shelter. Again we'd be late arrivals into camp. When we arrived No Beer was at the shelter, Patrick, Early Bird, Thumper and I tented/hammocked down below. There's a lot of bear activity at the next shelter, Fingerboard. In discussion with Early Bird Thumper had decided she'll do a 19 mile day tomorrow with Early Bird to avoid it. In this terrain I know that's not possible for me. I'll plan to get off trail at mile 1384.3 and get a room in town to avoid that shelter and likely the next one. Before I arrived here tonight Thumper got water. She shared the water with me so I wouldn't have to go to the spring and I shared my fuel with her because she's really low and will need some for tomorrow. After my dinner and brushing my teeth I left her up at the shelter while she finished up and went down to my tent to finish setting up and get sleep. I hear the owls and listen for bear, a bit nervous now. I know NJ and NY have high Bear concentration around the trail. It is amazing how many wild berries are out here....the forest floor is covered in them. If I were a bear I'd want to live here too!