Date: 2009-06-27
From: Vernon, NY - Trail Mile: 831.5

To: Wawayanda Shelter - Trail Mile: 826.4
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 7[Received photo with the caption: "From Waywayanda Mtn." It was taken at 12:09:19.Today's journal entry:]Waywayanda Shelter, tenting outside.Woke up to a phone call from DD. Awesome. H is feeling better and happy to run around the firehouse. Fireman Patrick cooks a delicious breakfast and drops us at the trailhead around 10 am.Off we go up the steep hill. H is a bit sluggish, maybe because FP fed him tons of greasy food or maybe because he smells bears. We're told by all the firemen and half the hikers we meet that bears are very active and unafraid (no bear hunting in NJ so the population has run rampant and they are no longer afraid of humans - to the point that children aren't allowed to play in their backyards without a parent watching.) I am sure to keep H on a short leash throughout the day. Whether I just don't notice them, or H's barking scares them off, I don't know, but we don't see any bears on the way to the shelter (5 miles).Arrive early afternoon to find our friend Roots settled in to rest sore feet. He did 1300 miles last year without any foot problems, but picked up again this year at DWG just two days before we did, and already has blisters all over both feet. Must be all the mud and hiking in wet socks.I start cooking Mac'n'Cheese with tuna (very good!!) while first Roots, then every other hiker that comes in, tells of their bear sighting that day. I might feel left out, but realize I should be very happy to keep H and myself out of this particular club!!At the shelter tonight are H with me, Lexie with Tropical Thunder, and Kohl with Rolling Stone, (three dogs should keep the bears away!). All get along well, thank goodness. Others present are Saw Man, In-Tents (play on intense), and Roots. Highlander (in a hiking skirt - 'kilt' - and The Kid also pass through earlier in the afternoon, but are aiming for the next shelter, as they have a deadline to finish by 8/15.Lots of hiking knowledge and another chance to learn. Discussion is about stopping 10 miles up the trail at an ice cream place, or heading into town for lunch. I laugh and say 'we might get there for dinner!'. Tomorrow's goal is the next shelter 12 miles away. No choice since camping in between is prohibited. After short miles yesterday and today, and a clean bill of health from the vet, I'm hopeful the ice cream will be an afternoon snack on the way into the shelter!Another topic is pack weight. I know I'm heavy, but have trouble deciding what to keep.Discussion provided food for thought, and some things soon to be sent home are:candle (iPhone, LED headlamp, and backup flashlight are more than enough)Mess kit knife and maybe fork (everything dehydrated comes in bite-size pieces anyway -a spoon and my pocket knife should do just fine, and if not, I'll be creative)Compass (have one on my trekking pole already, and they're just not necessary on a well marked and heavily used trail like the AT)Some thought given to sending home:Sunscreen (haven't used it yet, there's tons of shade, still, 2 oz vs. potential sunburn on the day there isn't shade - like above treeline in VT or NH)Hat (wearing a bandana anyway, and sunglasses are lighter)Parka (lighter jackets / ponchos available, but will be needed in VT & NH anyway)And just carrying less food (though i'm told my appetite eill change soon!) and water (no reason to carry 4.75 liters in a rainy season when you're crossing three or four streams a day).Lots to think about, but a couple days yet before the next post office / chance to mail home. Take care, all!41° 12' 6.05" N 74° 23' 51.56" W, 1211 ftFor HarveysMom by Harvey's GrandPop