Date: 2010-05-18
From: West Mtn Shelter

To: Bear Mtn Inn
Miles today: 5.8

1. CPR. More on AMC. They even took my trash for me. And I haven't had a more pleasureable experience recently then placing a frozen juice pack on my forehead during a long, hot, hard, uphill climb. And though I didn't get to meet her, I  did have email xchange with BanjoladyMore New Joisey. Most of my AT hiking has involved primarily the white blazes for main trail, blue blaze for side trails, and yellow blazes for scenic locations. But here in NJ, they use the full 8 pack of Crayolas and then some.  They have blue, black, brown, green, gray, orange, red, white and yellow. And in some places there are multiple colors. Also, I saw a "be kind" sign for timber rattlesnakes and Yankee copperheads. Just after seeing this sign, I was stopped at a small pond taking a photo, when a saw a small black snake slither into the water. I wonder if I had to be kind to water moccasins as well2. Report. One objective of RON at the W Mtn Shelter was to take in the view of the NYC skyline. It was about 35 miles away and very hazy.  And my camera is about 300 mm short in the lens dept.  The day and dusk photo op was very poor, but I may have taken some fair ones at night. The dawn op wasn't even worth getting out the cameraLast night at dark, Ruggles stopped by the leave a shelter register. There weren't any at the last 3 or 4 shelters. The plan was to take a leisurely hike into town. I originally thought about just a resupply. But I stink bad and need a shower. It's bad when you can smell yourself and I think my sleeping bag shouted last might: Not you again!  Plus I'm tired, it's my birthday and it was forecast to start raining in the afternoon. However, it's graduation week at West Point and when I heard what OD was paying for a room at national express motel - OUCH, cam you say the word "gouge". Anyways, I was able to get a room at a reasonable rateOD is a purist and left out first. I intended to follow some yellow trail to check out water supply vs the AT map. The rain started right on schedule at about 0830.  I stopped to put my camera in my pack. I must be getting into hiking shape because I successfully executed the Philmont Ranger Pack Flip. Don't try this at home, leave it to professionals. The Flip is loosening up all the pack straps, approaching the pack from the front, inserting hands thru the shoulder straps, grabbing the waist straps and then all in one fell swoop, pick up the pack and flip it over your head. And I did this quite easilyI hiked in the rain to the W Mtn Tower. Saw that OD had already signed in.  I was pleased that I was able to maintain a perfect pace where I got neither too hot nor too cold during the day.  Hiked some more and saw all kind of animals: bears, bobcat, coyote, otters, birds etc.  This part of the trail passes thru a zoo at the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Ctr.  I also found out that my room is in a lodge that is part of the Ctr and it is very niceI had plans to hike into town ( about 2 mi) and do laundry , resupply, PO stop and have dinner with OD. But it's raining hard and I'll probably stay in and order pizza. Medical note. I talked to the GP that saw me in Middleton who was concerned about an abdominal mass. The cat scan came back negative. I also received  msg from my primary care physician and she too was not concerned as well, based on recent colonoscopyNote to Jack Carter: your guest book didn't include email. So, I'll reply Herr. Thanks for the background on Klipspringer. I think he explained it when I met him at the 501 shelter. But, there were a couple of motormouths there and I pretty much tuned everything out. JP started calling him Springbok and that really stuck with me. I really enjoyed hiking with him and Fahmah and hope to see them again down the trail.  Life is Great!