Date: 2015-06-16
From: George Outerbridge Shelter

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7

6/16, 16.7, Leroy Smith ShelterThe Alaskan family is Sir and Hummingbird hiking with their daughter Sister M. Along with Penguin we decided to hike over the climb out of Palmerton together for safety's sake over the rocks. We were up early and on trail by 6:30 and covered the .7 miles to the base of he climb quickly. After negotiating the morning traffic crossing the local main road to work, we started the climb. It was as advertised. 1000 ft up a boulder scramble, hand holds required to pull ourselves up. Adding to our challenge this morning was the overnight rain and the 100% humidity. For better or worse we did appreciate the fog blocking the morning sun, even though it made it impossible to wear my glasses. We all five successfully navigated the climb and were completely soaked with sweat and mist by the top but happy to be there. The trail follows the edge of an Environmental Clean up Superfund site where a 100 year old zinc smelting operation was shut down in the 80's. The revegetation is getting stronger and one of the highlights is blueberries! While we paused momentarily we decided to try them and were only joking when we said they tasted like zinc. We covered the first six miles by 9:30 and it was then time to settle the discussion between members of the Alaskan family about wether a hitch .8 into a diner was a good idea for second breakfast or not. Sensing my answer Sir suggested we hear what Silverback thought. Anticipating this opportunity I had already prepared my case that we were covering miles very well and had arrived here early enough to hitch hike in, dine, hitch back out and be back on trail by noon. That meant on a bad day we could all be in the shelter by 4:30 or 5. Since Sir is a retired JAG lawyer and I can hold my own when debating in favor of more food, sister Em gave in and stuck out her thumb. Since we were five people we were petitioning pickups exclusively and watched several good candidates pass by. Twenty minutes later we were ready to give up the plan, since walking the .8 miles was a no deal hard line for the ladies, when a pickup came from the wrong direction, slowed, made a u-turn and pulled into the parking area. He offered us a ride and explained that before he picked us up he had passed us purposely to drive the mile into town and be sure the local Sheriff deputy was not watching since they ticket drivers for hauling people in the bed of a pickup. He dropped us at the diner and we were welcomed inside by a nice server. I had the Mexican omelet with home fries and toast and plenty of coffee and others had pancakes and milkshakes to satisfy. We were all soaking wet with sweat, dew and the off and on rain that had been falling so soon the AC in the diner was making us shiver. No worries though since we all decided it was nice to be cold for the first time in a while. As we ate we kept an eye on customers coming in pickup trucks because they afforded our best opportunity to yogi a ride back to the trail. We were also joined by another hiker who had been in town to get a mail drop and was hiking back to the diner on his way to the trailhead so now we were six. One pickup driving diner sat next to us and we half joked that we would buy his coffee for a ride back to the trail, complementing his truck for good measure. He laughed us off nervously and kept eating his breakfast. On the other side of our table for six was a gentleman who asked us about our hike and was interested in what we were doing. He was only driving a smaller car so we did not consider asking him for a ride. That was a mistake because despite his small car he offered to take us up to the trail even if it took two trips. We were grateful but there was yet another nice surprise to come. His server, the same one as ours, came to fill his coffee and he asked her to hold his check open while he made a couple trips to take us back to the trail. Well she would have none of that and she trumped his ride offer by handing him her keys and saying just take my truck and you only need to make one trip. We soon found ourselves riding in the back of a nice pickup returning to the trailhead and were back on trail by 11:30, 30 minutes ahead of schedule. And yes, we left a very nice tip for our server. The remainder of our hike was relatively level, but still featured the ever present Pennsylvania rocks. Nevertheless, we made good time sweating through the humidity and enjoying the occasional light showers cooling us off. We arrived at Leroy Smith shelter amidst the latest sun break but were soon treated to another light shower. Getting water is the first order of business at every evening stop and this shelter presented an interesting challenge. There were a series of four springs, each one slightly further downhill from one another and the directions at the shelter were to check each one until you find which one is flowing. We had to hike a full half mile down to spring 3 to get water making it a challenge but with no water tomorrow for the first 13 miles a full load of water is required. The forecast tonight was for the light rain to end by 8 but by 6 the sun was out and tents were being set. I still tend to stay in the shelters, as I am here, and my habits in the morning have been shaped such that getting out my tent is a last resort. Temperatures are also forecast to be more comfortable in the low 60's tonight so sleeping should be more pleasant.Tomorrow my plan is to be on trail with the same group at 6:30 and 4 miles up trail I will need to decide if second breakfast 1.5 miles off trail is an idea for me hiking 14 miles total, or if I will skip the diner and push myself to do 20 miles to Delaware Water Gap. In a conditioning sense it makes some sense to hike 14 miles tomorrow, further increasing my endurance but not pushing too hard. That also leaves me in position to get to my next resupply in sixteen miles on Thursday. From there I should be ready to increase miles again, and I will be near the end of the rockiness. The best part of hiking today was realizing that my desire to hike has returned. My first two days back I found myself not really wanting to be here but knew I needed to push through the feelings to successfully complete this adventure. Hiking with the Alaskans and Penguin has been very helpful, making me feel like I belong here with the other hikers once again. It is also very helpful to remember each of you cheering me on as I hike wanting to finish for us all!Silverback