Date: 2004-08-09
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: High Point State Park Observation Platform
Miles today: 18.9

Start: Brink Road Shelter @1025 Finish: High Point State Park Observation Platform @2040Weather: Sunny & cool (low 80¢s), low humidity, breezy.Breakfast: Granola with raspberries.Lunch: Snickers, trailmix, banana chips. Dinner: Hamburger Helper Cheesy Baked Potato, Starcrunch.Trail Conditions: Ridgeline, several climbs, rocky in places.Animals: 3 bears, rattlesnake, deer, hawks, frogs, birds, squirrels, chipmunks.People: Kiwi, Char, Atlas, Green Mountain Brothers, Butterfinger, Wideload, Terrapin, dayhikers.Some crazy stuff went down in the woods last night, but no animals were seen, only heard. All night sticks snapped and leaves rustled and odd noises emanated from the dark forest. Kiwi and Char were positive it was bears.I had another late start today and felt really lethargic for nearly all of today¢s hike. Once again the ridgeline we¢ve been walking offered superb views of New Jersey farmland and woods. About two miles into the day I saw my second bear of the trail! It was very exciting. It was about 50 yards away and scampered off as I approached.I covered the first 8 miles today very slowly taking nearly 4 hours to do so. I rested at a pavilion and tried to refocus my efforts on hiking. I soaked up the view and told myself I can sit here and whine or get my ass in gear and lay down some miles. I turned up the gas and really started moving and feeling good.I stopped at Mashipacong Shelter for a privy break and there were several other folks there. We exchanged hellos. As I took care of business in the privy one of the kids knocks on the privy door. I state that it¢s occupied. Then he asks me if I¢m taking a ¢number two¢. To which I replied yes, quite perplexed. He then asked if I needed toilet tissue, to which I said no as I had my own. Then he left. It was crazy.I got to Highpoint State Park around 1830. In route I saw two more bears, and the two scurried off as I approached. I cooked up a large dinner at the Ranger station and called Ben. We chatted for a good long time swapping war stories. As I was packing up to press on Atlas and the Green Mountain Brothers rolled in. They talked me into walking another 7 miles with them to the secret shelter. Before we departed I filtered some water from a stagnant drainage pond. By far the grungiest water I have pumped from yet. The water was so gross the guys thought I was hard-core for using it. Earlier in the day I pumped from Culvers Lake only to discover a decaying fish about 5 feet from me in the water. Haven¢t gotten sick yet.Anyways, the four of us headed out of the park as the dark of night began to fall. We cam across an observation platform, about a forth mile from Highpoint Monument, and the Storm Troopers and Terrapin were there bivying for the night. They also had beer, which they gave us. Rather than night hiking we too called it a day at the deck and are illegally camping. The stars are out and it is truly a beautiful night. The Persuid meteor shower begins tonight and peaks on Wednesday. I am keeping my eyes open for shooting stars and hope to see some.Today started crummy but has definitely concluded on a high note.