Date: 2006-07-11
From: Palmerton, Jailhouse hostel

To: Tent near Delp's Spring Trail
Miles today: 10.0

I pooped out after 10 miles today. After yesterday's 20 miles, I lost my get-up-and-go and decided to stay here about 4:00pm after fetching water at the spring .3 miles down the ridge. I was completely out of water, having gone through the 3.5 liters I carried out of the hostel. The spring was excellent, running strongly out a 2-1/2" pipe, once I cleared the inlet screen of debris. I carried 5 liters for drinking, and about a gallon in my water bag for a sponge bath.To start the day, we caught the ride out from the hostel at 7:00am, and I backtracked to cover the blazes I hadn't done yesterday. Therefore, the others were long gone after I crossed the bridge. I stopped to call Carol and to give my daughter, Becca, pickup directions for when she picks me up at Delaware Water Gap on Thursday. Even with today's abbreviated hike, I'll make DWG with ease by then.It was hot and humid even at 8:00am when I started the very steep climb from Lehigh Gap back up to the ridge of Blue Mountain. The climb was on "exposed" rock, meaning if you fall no telling how far down you'll stop tumbling. It required both hands and feet to maneuver; the poles were in the way. The climb and the first 4 miles of the hike passed through the industrial desert aptly described as "moon rocks". All vegetation had been killed off by the acid off-gases of the New Jersey Zinc Co. smelter at Palmerton. Only now, 20 years after it was closed, is some hardy plant life slowly returning. While the morning started overcast, it was hot and humid nonetheless. When the sun came out, it only got worse. I took lots of water breaks and used one to wish my sister in VA a happy birthday with my fully-charged phone.I took a wrong turn on a section of trail and wound up hiking about a mile the wrong way until I met Able Jack and 2 other hikers. I last saw Able Jack way back in TN when I tented in a hailstorm north of Erwin. I've been seeing all his entries in the registers, each starting with the phrase,"Worst day yet!" It was cool to catch up, but he soon pulled ahead.By lunch time, I'd only gone 6 mi. and had just re-entered the green tunnel. Where the sun hadn't hit the rocks, there was condensate. It was that humid. I stopped in the shade, ate, and even had a catnap hugging a large rock that had dried off but was still cool. There were a couple of good views along the way, but the heat, humidity, and yesterday's miles conspired to slow me down. When I saw a nice campsite just before the spring, I knew I'd call it a day.Since I stopped early, I brought extra water up in the water bag to wash off the salt and perspiration. I also washed out my shirt to get the salt out. I had wrung about a cup of sweat from the shirt 3 times today.As I was setting up camp, Delps, who built the trail to the spring, came up on a day hike with his teenage son and two other boys. Later Michelle, now Bruiser, and Rock Chalk stopped by on their way to the shelter 6 miles up the trail. They took a break and we chatted for a few minutes.After they left, I got my sponge bath and set about prepping dinner, which I was almost too tired to eat at 6:30pm. Now at 8:00pm, I'm turning in, even though it's hot and stuffy in the tent. Can't open up as the mosquitoes are buzzing about and anxious to drink my blood.A faint, Maine Ho.