Date: 2021-05-16
From: Stealth Site

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 23.01
Weather: few clouds

So before turning in last night I did what I normally do at a stealth-site: pre dig a cat hole for possible excretory needs as they arise. Well, there was a late arrival last night who set up his tent about 20 feet from my excavation, probably good for both of us that nature was elsewhere and didn¢t come calling for me. I was on trail just before sunrise at 5:36, knowing I had a long slog in front of me. The section I was on is the rockiest of rocky Pennsylvania. This is fine  As per usual, it took about a mile of hobbling along for my feet to settle in and flexibility to return. This was going to be another dry day for water. There were only two springs listed that I saw, .4 to ,6 off the trail. I had two full liters to start so that was good. I passed a few tents in the first three miles and being the weekend it could be anybody. I came to a road crossing about 9 am and walked past a Pee-Tee. You read that right. It¢s a portable structure about six feet high and three feet square at the base. It¢s used for backwoods privacy when things need to be handled (bucket sold separately). Across the dirt road two guys were sitting on a wooden barrier. I walked over and they were busting on their friend who packed along the Pee-Tee on their just concluded 25 mile three day hike. They had no lack of fun at his expense for bringing that along. A man and his comforts. I took off my pack and talked to them for a bit, they could not believe the rocks they had hiked through in two days. Seemingly all they saw of Pennsylvania wilderness was the area directly under each step. I commiserated. We chatted about my hike and they offered me their unused water and a dehydrated meal they didn¢t use. I declined the dinner but gratefully accepted the 1/2 liter of water. That was going to be enough to tide me through to Wind Gap 8 miles up trail. Back to the rocks. Not much to say about the morning trail - no views, just rock, step, rock, lather rinse repeat.  I did tell myself repeatedly not to think too much about town on Monday, but rather focus on the moment and enjoy the trail. In this, I was moderately successful. By noon I had reached Wind Gap out of water and decided to hike .7 of a mile down the hill to a gas station in town. Once there, I made my purchases and crossed the street to sit on the steps of an Episcopal church and have lunch consisting of ranch flavored tuna (which I¢ve carried since Front Royal, Va) pork rinds, chocolate milk and a Snapple. What I really wanted was an Arnold Palmer ice tea made by Arizona Tea, but the gas station had 14 different tea flavors, but no Arnold Palmer. In Pennsylvania. I was crestfallen. Oh well, at least my post lunch burps should prove to be interesting. Road walk back to the trail for the 9 miles I had to go to my proposed camp spot. What a long afternoon. The trail didn¢t vary bat all: it¢s as if Pennsylvania said ¢this is my only pitch, so try and hit it¢. The only thing that broke up the monotony was a thunder shower that lasted about 39 minutes. When your only excitement is a rain storm that makes the rocky trail that much harder too hike, you know it¢s not a great day. Near the end of the hike I came to Wolf Rocks (known for its many snakes) which had warnings in the trail guide to be very cautious if the rocks were wet. I reasoned they were only wettish, not fully wet. So I skipped the side trail and started up. The first people I encountered were two teenagers coming down who told me they both had fallen. I though to myself ¢well, no shame if I do!¢ , which I didn¢t. The biggest disappointment was that the rain and damp had driven all the snakes into their dens. Damn my luck. I now at the Kirkridge Shelter about 6.5 miles from Delaware Water Gap where I plan to hike tomorrow and take a day and a half off trail. The Trout family arrived after I had turned in so I popped out of my hammock to say hi. I¢ll probably see them in town tomorrow.