Date: 2007-07-18
From: New York Border

To: Connecticut Border
Miles today: 96.6

¢Is it Fat Fest or Fat Feast?¢                                       Ranger Jan Reporting      I had gotten a little lonely in New Jersey, so running into a whole pack of hikers at the St. Thomas Hostel was refreshing. Besides Just Julie, I would hike with Montreal and April Showers. April is also a veteran thru-hiker (2004). She even claims to have met me, and my friends the Blues Brothers, in New Hampshire in 2004. Unfortunately, I didn¢t remember.   The hiking was easy now. Prospect Rock, Eastern Pinnacles, and Cat Rocks provided some nice views as we crossed the state line into NY. We stayed at the Wildcat Shelter that night and another brief shower cooled the air. For several days I had seen posters advertising the upcoming Fat Fest in Harriman State Park. It was the 9th consecutive year for this unexpected bit of trail magic and we arrived at Lake Tiorati by early afternoon the next day to join in. General Lee, Queso, Dick Wizzard, 1/2 Step, Alpine, Pony Whisperer, Bucket, and Water also joined us. After a couple of hours of feasting we decided to knock off 10 more miles and slack pack back to Tiorati Lake from the base of Bear Mountain. That way we could eat dinner at the Fat Fest and have breakfast as well. (Show us the calories!) We got a lot more than we expected. At a group campsite, arranged by Night Eyes, our Fat Fest host, we ate, drank, and enjoyed live music and a bonfire. Just before midnight, as the celebration waned, armloads of pizza, ice cream, beer, and cream puffs arrived, and we renewed our celebrating. Cool, clear and bug-free, it was the perfect setting for sleeping under the stars. So a few of us did, next to the slowly dying fire.      Motivated, though a little tired, by rumors of a Beer Fest the next day at Bear Mountain, April Showers, Montreal and I continued north through Harriman State Park and up over Bear Mountain. Just Julie and 1/2 Step were just behind. The rumor was true. It just wasn¢t this park. Oh well. After passing through the Trailside Zoo (lowest point on AT ¢ 124¢) and crossing the Hudson River we began ascending South Mountain. We were heading for the Graymoor Friary, where the monks have hosted hikers at their ball field pavilion for years. The air was getting heavy; rain was imminent. My ¢Luck¢ ran true again, and just as we arrived at the road to the Friary, Gene, a trail angel from the Fat Fest, was there with his car. Taking shelter from the storm, we were soon at the pavilion.      In the morning, to my surprise, Gimpy, a thru-hiker I met off and on in GA, NC, TN & VA was at the trailhead. So we hiked together. Passing Canopus Lake and crossing Shenandoah Mountain, we arrived at RPH Shelter. Gimpy was feeling low, and on this, his first day back, he was at the brink of exhaustion. He would need to rest the next day. Just Julie and I pushed on early. It would be another 25+ mile day for me and the last for her. (Her 500+ mile section hike would end at the Dover Oak) Before reaching the Oak (with its 20 foot girth) we would pass Nuclear Lake, site of an old nuclear research facility. Understandably, we avoided refilling our water containers here, even though assured of the safety of the water source.      I was alone again after leaving Just Julie at the Telephone Pioneers Shelter. Her company had been a boost for my sagging morale in New Jersey. Now I was close to the NY/Connecticut border and completion of my 9th state. I felt good and was hoping for a strong finish as my 2007 AT thru-hike entered its final stages.      Don't forget to check for photos of NY at:   www.homepage.mac.com/janealy