Date: 2008-05-27
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter, PA

To: Stealth site down blue blaze from Bake Oven Knob S
Miles today: 10.0

Well, that guy got off the phone just as I was ready to go to sleep, so that was good. It sprinkled a bit in the nite, but nothing significant. I slept with only my thermal top\bottom and fleece pants with my bag half on me. It was 69 degrees when I woke at (drum roll please) 5:00 a.m.!I was ready to hike @ 6:45 a.m., but had to go all the way down to the spring (a ways) and get water, so I didn't step off till 7:00 a.m. All the boys in the shelter were gone by the time I got back with water.I'm noticing a general lack of energy, and it is my body telling me it needs a break, so I'm super glad I've only got 10 miles for today.It was 75 degrees @ 9:30 a.m. and man was it HUMID. I have no doubt it will storm this afternoon with this heat and moisture.The trail was very friendly this morning, a nice path with almost no rocks. It actually seemed like a service road at times.Despite my lethargic feeling, I was still making good time. I was already 4.1 miles by 8:45 a.m. I got to PA-309 where Cocoa and Nut where sitting. Nut's knee has been hurting a lot, and they actually were never thru-hiking. They got onto the trail in TN and decided to see how far they could get. Really really nice guys, and Nut's parents left @ 10:00 last nite to drive 12 hrs to come get him. Dedicated parents huh? I talked to them for a bit and wished them well. Cocoa is getting off as well, he has home stuff to do I think.So there is a B&B here with a restaurant, but it's not open till June. Just as well, I'll be in civilization tommorow! YIPPY!! I sat down and ate a snack though, and finally headed back out. The trail stayed friendly until the ascent started towards Knife Edge. It became rocky and then bouldery.So on a side note, I've decided there are 3 types of "rocky" trail, and this isn't just in PA.Rocky trail-type 1: Mostly dirt or leaves with many small jagged rocks sticking out of the dirt, but the rocks are firmly planted and don't move. These are the ones that are the most painful I think, because you're moving at your normal swift pace and every other step a sharp edge hits your sore feet.Rocky trail-type 2: This is when the rocks are big enough to step on, but they move, and there are pockets of leaves between the rocks that you "could" step in. I think this is the most dangerous for falling\twisting an ankle because the rocks can pivot and many times, what looks like solid ground covered in leaves is really a hole about 18" deep filled with leaves.Rocky trail-type 3: This is basically boulders or rock slabs the size of cows or bigger. Usually these aren't too bad except when negotiating from one large rock to the next, and when they are on 45 degree angles, that's tough.Ok, so that' my analysis, and of course you can mix combinations of types too (add a few 3's in with the 2's).Right before ascending to Knife Edge, I was in type-2's, only all of the rocks have lichen on them and the little bit of rain made them a bit slippery. I hit one angled rock, my foot slipped down, and down I went, hands hit, left knee hit, and everything slid. Absolutely not a scratch amazingly. It sort of looked like I was dropping to give you 20 or something. And next was Knife Edge.So on this note, it quickly became type-3 ascending the Knife Edge. I was using all fours to get up, and when reaching the top of this ridge, it became abundantley clear that no part of this trail has a more appropriate name. I was literally on the top edge of this mountain, and these GIANT rock slabs were at a 45 degree angle, so I was walking on sometimes a surface about 6" wide while hanging on with my hands. IT WAS FREAKIN AWESOME!! I love rock scrambling, and it soon became clear that my hiking poles were a liability, so I carefully took my pack off and attached my poles to it, and then carefully put my pack back on. Much easier now. Parts required going down these angled slabs as big as the side of a house roof, so there was plenty of butt-scooting for me today. It was really something, a great view on both sides, really made me sweat, and it felt good to use my whole body like that. I do not recommend going over this in inclement weather, you are the highest point, and if you're afraid of heights it may be a challenge too. So it's not that long, but it does take some time to negotiate.I finally got down from it, and headed on. I hiked past Bear Rocks, which is a tall rock wall that has a blue blaze if you want to climb it......nope, not today. I met a couple day hiking, Amy and Duane with their little dog. We were all looking at another large black snake, they were very cool people, that I enjoyed chatting with. Then it was friendly trail until I got to the climb for Bake Oven Knob. This was just a huge boulder field where you go up ad then back down it. It too was fun, and 1\2 way down it hits regular ground, so I decided to check for cell signal and I called my mom to tell her where to mail my memory card. I actually took about a 40 minute break. The sun was out, in the low 80's, a slight breeze, still humid tough. I knew I was very close to the shelter, so no worries. The black flies (biting kind) are out too. I've forgoten to mention this the past week, mainly because they aren't everywhere yet.I headed down the final rock scramble about 1:15 p.m., and was actually at the shelter in less than 10 mintues.Now, my point of a short day was to rest and be out of t-storm harm. This shelter is right on the ridge with te trail...damn. I did see a blue blaze for "Springs" so I dropped my pack and decided to see what it looked like.1st spring running great, going down further..2nd spring running great..going down and down and down, and whalla! It opened up to nice flat ground perfect for camping DOWN from the ridge. It couldn't be more perfect, except I'll have to climb this hill in the morning, oh well.So I went back up, got my pack, filled my water on the way back down, and have a great spot all by myself.I got my hammock hung, and now it's 2:30, so I took my bandana (it's so hot and I'm coated again), and walked to the bottom spring. I filled my canteen and used the water to take a bandana bath again. Oh man...the feeling was great! I stood in the hot sun with cool spring water dripping from my skin and relished in the moment. I am applying a small amount of Deet these past few days, the bugs are already bad.Then, I unhooked my ridgeline and lounged ALL afternoon and caught up my journal. It was simply spectaular.About 5:00 p.m., I noticed a change in the air temp and a stillness that told me a storm was coming. I deployed my tarp and got everything all set up. It didn't actually storm until 6:00 p.m., and it was a minor thunderstorm, but did have wind, rain, and thunder nonetheless. It cooled off too.I knew the worst was over when the birds started chirping again. Animal life halts just before and during a storm.I think a landfill is nearby or something, I could hear a bulldozer or big truck pretty close. It went away though around 6.So, tomorrow I meet Gadget and Scribe around noon @ Lehigh Gap! I can not freakin wait! It's about 7.5 miles in, and I'll get up early to ensure they don't have to wait on me. I am so skanky I just about can't stand myself. The bandana bath helps A LOT but it can't wash my hair! I'm exhausted, so I'm eating a protein bar and calling it a nite. It's 68 cool and windy degrees @ 7:45 p.m. A shower and real food awaits me...finally.~Certain