Date: 2009-07-07
From: Appalachian Trail, Harlem Line - Trail Mile 740.7

To: Wiley Shelter - Trail Mile 735.1
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: moderate rain

Day 17[Watson & Holmes sent: "At Wiley Shelter in NY, and got the tent up about 10 minutes before the rain started!! Yay!"Her journal entry:]Had another slow morning and took a while to do some re-outfitting. I stopped into Paragon Sporting Goods in Union Square to buy running shorts (my quick-dry but not wicking hiking pants were trapping sweat against my legs and giving me terrible acne), a new lightweight Marmot rain/wind jacket (my Columbia parka shell is great but way too heavy), some pole tips (K&C, thank you sooo much for my Komperdell trekking poles - they're lightweight, collapsible / adjustable, and have save me and my ankles from a number of falls already! FYI, Leki pole tips do fit Komperdell poles.). Also purchased was a ThermaRest Pro-Lite XS mat for H (doctor's orders) which will become my primary summer pad when he's done with it, some base-layer bottoms for cold nights, and some additional bug spray. (The organic stuff is great but I ran out already - waiting for more in the next resupply box). I then ship home my old parka and two nalgene-type bottles, instead opting to carry 3L in my Camelbak and one emergency liter in a lightweight plastic bottle. H has turned his nose up at my treated water and has started drinking out of streams. There's not much I can do to stop him and no reason then to carry extra water, so I'm happy to send those bottles home. Finally at JR's to pick up H, and we have a pleasant discussion. I re-pack H's gear into my bag and leave his saddlebags home, at least until he's feeling better. I then weigh everything - 45 pounds fully loaded with 5 days' food and 4L water. Ouch! But worth it if it keeps H healthy.The train ride goes quickly and quietly. Either H was still tire or is getting to be an old pro at this. I guess after hiking and seeing so much little fazes him. We get off the train at Pawling, NY, 3.5 miles from the AT and where we started our weekend hike back in April. My first honest attempt at hitching us a ride to the trailhead (because it's already 6:15 pm and we have 5 miles to shelter) does not go well. We finally get picked up less than a quarter mile down the road from our destination. Ah well. And maybe a litle more leg next time?Well, we finally start hiking but it's slow going. My pack is heavier and I've lost my newly acquired hiker-legs and my rhythm after the almost four days with only 7 miles. Add in a couple obstacles like the stiles (A-frame ladders made of 2x4's that farmers put over electric fences that H just wasn't able to climb - eventually used his rope leash and my rubber-soled shoe to separate the electric wires enough to him to pass through), and it took us about three hours to make it to camp. The Wiley shelter was in disarray, and no one was inside. I wasn't sure why everyone else opted to tent, but felt there must be some thru-hiker knowledge that I didn't have and should probably follow suit. I popped up the tent, had a quick meal, and went to sleep hoping I could get back into the swing of things tomorrow.41° 38' 12.97" N 73° 32' 0.49" W, 817 ftFor HarveysMom by Harvey's GrandPop