Date: 2005-10-24
From: Wind Gap

To: Leighhigh Gap
Miles today: 20.7

Another fabulous day on the trail, with interesting features like getting shot at by a stupid hunter, traipsing through an EPA Superfund Cleanup site, hiking almost 21 miles over Pennsylvania's famous rocks, breaking off the tip of one of my hiking poles, and suffering a total blowout of my left hiking boot thanks to those same rocks.I started the day determined to make it through the entire section from Wind Gap to Leighigh Gap - 20.7 miles. My motivation included that there are no shelters anywhere past the first 5 miles, no water available anywhere on the ridge, and no place even to "nk smelter and is now an environmental wasteland.The climb up out of Wind Gap was aided by swithbacks, and even the rocks did not prevent my achieving a 2mph pace through the first five miles, allowing a certain fractured rythym and even permitting my mind to wonder a bit. It was at about that point that I was suddenly jarred from my reverie by the loud and very nearby sound of a shotgun blast. I think I probably said something like a prayer, and looked up to see a hunter, clad in blaze orange, stooping down to collect the squirrel he had just blasted - in the middle of the trail and only 25 yards in front of me.I gather he heard my response to his shot, as he looked in my direction. I asked if he could see me, wanting to make sure he was not both trigger happy AND near-sighted. As he was armed, and I was not, it occured to me that it probably wasn't wise to be too confrontational, but I did suggest that I thought it probably wasn't a good idea to be shooting right down a hiker trail!I also didn't mention that the deer hunting season for guns doesn't start until November 22nd. He didn't seem overly bright, however, or terribly friendly, so our conversation was brief. I did advise him that there were several hikers coming along behind me - not true, as far as I knew, but I hoped that I might save someone else's life if there WERE others out today. I have nothing in principle against hunters, but EVERYTHING against stupid hunters who endanger the lives of everyone else in the woods by their irresponsible behavior.Okay, back to the hike. Between long sections of rocks, all rocks, and nothing but rocks, were a few shorter sections along old woods roads that allowed me to keep up a decent overall pace. By lunch time, a late lunchtime, I had managed to cover 14.5 miles, and was reasonably confident I would make it to Leighigh Gap. As I was getting ready to resume my hike, however, I noticed that my left boot looked a bit odd - the front looking unusually wide. Further examination revealed that the sole of the boot had essentaiily shreaded, leaving the stay and my socks as the only thing between me and the rocky trail.I managed to get enough duct tape off my hiking pole to wrap several times around the whole boot, hoping that would get me through the last 6 or 7 miles. It lasted all of ten minutes before it, too, was gone. Not long after, however, I reached a road walk which made it possible for me to limp along at a reasonably fast pace despite my blown boot. This road took me through a most interesting landscape - like nothing I had seen anywhere else on the trail. The EPA cleanup site was like a moonscape - all gray, consisting almost entirely of rocks, denuded of anything green, for nearly all of the next three miles. Fascinating. Don't tell me that all of the increase in alergies, respiratory problems (like asthma), and other health problems have not been caused in large part by the industrial revolution - and especially the chemical and metalurgy industries - and all the crap they have been pouring into the atmosphere for the past 100 years. Okay, off my soapbox and back to my hike. When I reached the end of that particular road, it was back to the rocks, and that was where I realized I was once again missing the tip of one of my hiking poles. Between my pole and my boot, I had no choice but to opt for the "winter trail" from the ridge down into the gap. The AT was a major rock scramble, and I was no longer geared up - literally - to handle any more of those. An hour later, I was crossing the river, and dropping a dime on the proprietor of Fine Lodging, that being Mr. Ira Fine, of Slatington, PA. He offers a no frills hiker room at his establishment and, more importantly, shuttles to a nearby outfitter. An hour later, I was talking with the good folks of Nestor's Sporting Goods of Whitehall, Pa. They could not have been more helpfull.My boots were Montrails, and I have to say that I have not been very impressed with them. After less than 400 miles, the stiching was coming out and now they were totally useless. These were not a light weight boot, or cheap, but my Zamberlans lasted over 1,600 miles. I certainly cannot recommend Montrails to anyone! I replaced them with a pair of Vasques. They are lighter weight, but feel good, and should last at least through the final two weeks of my hike!In addition to having broken off the tip of my Lekki pole, one of them also had a bad spring mechanism in the middle section. Nestor's staff called their Leki rep at home, who said to give me a new set of poles! Now THAT is standing behind your product. Thanks, Lekki!So, with new boots and new poles, I'm equipped to hit the trail again tomorrow morning. Except for one little thing. The weather. I hate to say it, as I am beginning to feel like a bit of weather wimp, but they are now forecasting really bad weather for the next 36 hours, and Ol' Private Longhaul is once again considering the possibility of a zero day. I won't decide until tomorrow morning, but they are predicting rain all night and all day tomorrow - up to another two inchs, with winds of up to 40 mph, and snow in the higher elevations - which, of course, is where the AT goes....Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com